LOTR - Looking really dated.

[T89 Callan]

I finally picked up the trilogy on DVD the other day (£10 for the three double discs editions). I was blown away at the cinema but have not watched them properly since.

And have been watching one a night, while they are still superb films, absolutely engrossing , beautifully filmed and scored they are starting to look very dated.

Especially were there are scenes that have unnecesary CGI like when Gandolf dismounts a horse at Izangaurd - why not just have him or a stuntman actaually ride and dismount a horse?

It's wierd that although Star Wars looks incredibly dated it doesn't affect the film but the old tech CGI in LOTR does make a difference to the viewing experience.

Still enjoying it though.

[Jasandjules]

I think that some Star Wars special effects look far more realistic that much CGI these days, because you can really, really tell it's CGI, whereas in Star Wars when Tie Fighters are attacking etc you don't think, oh, that's a computer picture...

I am not a fan of CGI when it goes too far......

[qube_TA]

CGI always looked dated after a short while, maybe they should bring out service packs for them to upgrade the graphics.

[KANEIT]

Agreed bad CGI is awful.
What's worse is when CGI is added into revised versions of films so you see the puppet in one scene and the 3D model in the next. Jabba the Hutt?
JaJa Binks and his crew scrapping with the Mk1 stormtroopers was also horrendous. Don't get me started on Hulk/The Matrix III/Spiderman.
As always I think Blade Runner/Alien had great effects for their time that don't really disappoint now.

Edited by KANEIT on Thursday 6th August 18:44

[Anya]

anonymous said:

[redacted]

You should.
The films are actually very good

[sneijder]

I am still in awe of Robocop 3. He can fly. Fly I tells ya'.

[dreamz]

worst cgi was definatly in the mummy returns - the bit where the scorpion king returns as a scorpion to fight the pharoah and the hero bloke.

awful cgi facial mapping

mind you the arnold schwarznegger at salvation wasnt much better!

[cazzer]

Although I loathe over use of cgi....
Even the worst cgi is better than the rubber blow up Arnie head in Total Recall....

[cardigankid]

anonymous said:

[redacted]

At least CGI allows them to make something which conveys the scale of the books - watch them, but make sure that you watch the extended edition. There are some outstanding performances, and while a film is never the book, I guarantee that you will enjoy them.

[mat205125]

Jasandjules said:

I think that some Star Wars special effects look far more realistic that much CGI these days, because you can really, really tell it's CGI, whereas in Star Wars when Tie Fighters are attacking etc you don't think, oh, that's a computer picture...

I am not a fan of CGI when it goes too far......

Same here.

A lot of talented model makers, matte painters and special effects people have sadly been replaced by computers, and not for the best in a lot of cases.

"Cheap" CGI, however, that has resulted from improved software and exponential computer processor advances has meant that there are a lot of really good quality sci-fi / effects TV series about that would have previously been ruined by dodgy egg box space ships, puppet robots, and tomatoe ketchup wounds.

[chris watton]

At least LOTR has a story, and is always watchable – the polar opposite, IMOHO, to the last three Star Wars films, which had no real direction, annoying CGI characters, real life characters that were just as wooden as their CGI counterparts – me and the kids still watch the originals a lot more than the new ones! Same with the new Indiana Jones movie – the first is still a great movie.
Lucas – please, step away from that director’s chair!

[Smiler.]

The BBC radio adaptation blows the films into the dust.

Not a sniff of Horrywood.

[mat205125]

chris watton said:

At least LOTR has a story, and is always watchable – the polar opposite, IMOHO, to the last three Star Wars films, which had no real direction, annoying CGI characters, real life characters that were just as wooden as their CGI counterparts – me and the kids still watch the originals a lot more than the new ones! Same with the new Indiana Jones movie – the first is still a great movie.
Lucas – please, step away from that director’s chair!

You seen the scene in Clerks 2 where Randall depicts the entire story line for the Lord of the Rings films in 30 seconds?

[DrTre]

cazzer said:

Although I loathe over use of cgi....
Even the worst cgi is better than the rubber blow up Arnie head in Total Recall....

Aye, that's true...the flipside is that even the best CGI is nowhere near as good as the transformation scene in American Werewolf, or as mentioned, the wirework in Once upon a time in China which is amazing.

One thing (most, I think Peter Jackson has) directors haven't grasped in the use of CGI is that unless it's very carefully used, the onscreen narrative is lost.

There was an (IMO) interesting article in one of the papers a couple of years ago about how pre-CGI the narrative was aided by using the "screen real estate" more sparingly and intelligently (like keeping scenes shooting in one, consistent direction or tracking so the audience knows what is where at all times) and by simple things like having baddies wearing black hats, goodies wearing white so there were easily recognisable visual cues.

Directors (and editors) now just chuck as much CGI at the screen in the mistaken belief that it's exciting...it's not...it's just a mess. I've lost count of the number of times I've lost interest in a film at the first "action" scene because it's just dull.

CGI just doesn't let me suspend disbelief like theatre or prosthetics etc, it's all there on a plate and in one eye, out the other.

I actually think LOTR has dated very well with that in mind (and I'm not a fan of the books or films) and it's to PJs credit that he made the story as transparent as he did, a nigh on impossible task with such an convolutedly boring story to begin with.

[FourWheelDrift]

cazzer said:

Although I loathe over use of cgi....
Even the worst cgi is better than the rubber blow up Arnie head in Total Recall....

I always thought that was just a brilliant piece of acting from him?

[Halb]

DrTre said:

Aye, that's true...the flipside is that even the best CGI is nowhere near as good as the transformation scene in American Werewolf, or as mentioned, the wirework in Once upon a time in China which is amazing.

Aye. The Thing, it's a classic and the effects are still great today. I will always take real life models and stock motion over CGI. Even the good stuff isn't that good, and the bad stuff isn't as good as XBOX graphics

[ruddermode]

DrTre said:

One thing (most, I think Peter Jackson has) directors haven't grasped in the use of CGI is that unless it's very carefully used, the onscreen narrative is lost.

The 'dinosaur chase' scene in Peter Jackson's King Kong - it seemed such a blatant 'look what we can do' use of CGI rather than adding to the plot that I eventually gave up and turned it off.

[qube_TA]

mat205125 said:

chris watton said:

At least LOTR has a story, and is always watchable – the polar opposite, IMOHO, to the last three Star Wars films, which had no real direction, annoying CGI characters, real life characters that were just as wooden as their CGI counterparts – me and the kids still watch the originals a lot more than the new ones! Same with the new Indiana Jones movie – the first is still a great movie.
Lucas – please, step away from that director’s chair!

You seen the scene in Clerks 2 where Randall depicts the entire story line for the Lord of the Rings films in 30 seconds?

9 hours to watch 2 people walk to a volcano.

rubbish films.

[JustinP1]

FourWheelDrift said:

cazzer said:

Although I loathe over use of cgi....
Even the worst cgi is better than the rubber blow up Arnie head in Total Recall....

I always thought that was just a brilliant piece of acting from him?

Actually that bit is part of a dream sequence so the overstated or even cartoon like graphics would actually be diegetic and coherent with the plot. :P

[DrTre]

ruddermode said:

DrTre said:

One thing (most, I think Peter Jackson has) directors haven't grasped in the use of CGI is that unless it's very carefully used, the onscreen narrative is lost.

The 'dinosaur chase' scene in Peter Jackson's King Kong - it seemed such a blatant 'look what we can do' use of CGI rather than adding to the plot that I eventually gave up and turned it off.

Should have said I was talking more in relation to LOTR, I've not seen KK. Tis a shame then.
It's such a widespread criticism that I really am surprised more directors don't take note.

Re: The Thing, how could I forget that one!