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The Matrix films, whose original release surprised the world with a new approach to special effects and computer work that influenced probably half of the effects films that have come since then, got passed up by the Acadamy in its decisions for the Semi's of Best Visual Effects. Of the following 7, 3 need to be chosen for the actual vote to take place.
The last 7 options (and my commentary) are:
So i'm figuring RotK, with a fool's hope for Pirates simply because the effect was so original. X2 will probably be the third finalist, but I don't see it winning. Only X2 and RotK were not done by ILM.
Not having the Matrix films make it was still a big surprise, though, but there are points in Reloaded that did look a little artificial (in the Neo vs. 100 Smiths) and more like an X-Box game's style of texture-mapping, when compared to the motion-capture usage in RotK. If it didn't sit well with me on a crappy 27 inch TV screen, it must have (upon repeated viewings) looked even worse over time on a 10-35 foot screen. I can't comment on the 3rd Matrix film.
The last 7 options (and my commentary) are:
- The Hulk (I'm sorry, I didn't even bother to rent the video 'cause it looked so bad. Both Hulk and Spiderman really test my believability that the hero can physically do that, particularly based on what I know from the comics. X-Men feels much more accurate than either of those two did)
- Return of the King (gee, surprise, surprise. Gollum had some nice work, the Oliphants in Battle felt a little too much like the Ents in TTT, but Massive still rules -- the same battle software that did orcs, elves, and men added ghosts, trolls, horses, and really tight battle locations with doors and blocking objects like boxes and barrels and plants in Minas Tirith and it just looked brilliant the whole time)
- Master and Commander (heard some good things about the battle sequences, but i can't comment as the trailers were all done before they were finished and emphasised the close-ups instead)
- Peter Pan (yeah, a finalist where the Matrix isn't, and it hasn't even been released yet so nobody can comment)
- Pirates of the Caribbean (only one significant effect, repeated. but its absolutely brilliant and stunningly original and clever and if it beats RotK 'cause of that I'd be very happy anyways)
- T-3 (i really don't see what they could have added to T-2, so i don't see anything happening here. its too easy to be clever and artificial-looking with machines and metal, as T-2's innovations are now over 10 years old)
- X2 (a lot more of morphing, i'm sure. did they really add that much to the original release?)
So i'm figuring RotK, with a fool's hope for Pirates simply because the effect was so original. X2 will probably be the third finalist, but I don't see it winning. Only X2 and RotK were not done by ILM.
Not having the Matrix films make it was still a big surprise, though, but there are points in Reloaded that did look a little artificial (in the Neo vs. 100 Smiths) and more like an X-Box game's style of texture-mapping, when compared to the motion-capture usage in RotK. If it didn't sit well with me on a crappy 27 inch TV screen, it must have (upon repeated viewings) looked even worse over time on a 10-35 foot screen. I can't comment on the 3rd Matrix film.
