1982-TRON: (Disney)
Why: 15mins of CGI
Where the main character was transported into a computer program, but the special effects at the time were the first of their kind. Full of computer references. The effects of the day were amazing but compared to today's animation and CGI effects they were basic at best.
1985-Young Sherlock Holmes (ILM)
Why: First Completely Computer Generated Character
ILM made further breakthroughs in computer graphics with the creation of the first completely computer-generated character in a feature film, the "stained glass man"
1989-The Abyss: (ILM)
Why: First Soft-surface CG CharacterIndustrial Light & Magic created the first computer generated three-dimensional fluid-based character with the "pseudopod"
The significant piece in this was the fluid movement of the alien. It had the effect of making an entity look fluid inside a fluid (the sea). It was particularly special as the alien mimicked a human face by manipulating the water. This was the first time a full fluid digitalised face was seen on the big screen.
1985-Terminator II: (ILM)
Why: First computer Graphics Main Character
This film was spectacular success for a number of reasons, mainly because of the fluid chrome / mercury main character. The terminator was human looking but made of this futuristic material that could be manipulated. The movement of the terminator was not always brilliantly smooth but back then it looks realistic enough. The fluid / solid mercury / chrome material was what really stood out more so than the fact that it was a completely digital human form.
1991-Beauty & The Beast (Walt Disney)
Why: The first union of 2D & 3D used in a film. Best highlighted in the Ballroom scene.
1992-Alien 3: (Boss Film)
Why: Integrated CGI shadows
CGI was still in its infancy then the close up shots of the aliens were actual models. This film had a blend of real models, and CGI created models. Used together you had the detail up close, with the fully CGI images at further distances not being so detailed. This film also into the models which helped when blending in with the studio illuminated models.
1193-Jurassic Park: (ILM)
Why: number of dinosaurs on screen at once
Who doesn't remember this film, wow, dinosaurs and real looking ones as well. The dinosaurs throughout this film are numerous in number and variety and didn't look robotic in movement at all. The realism of the animals and their detail are what made this film as well as the number of dinosaurs on screen at once. Groups of dinosaurs stampeding and charging amongst the actors was fabulous.
1995-Toy Story:(Pixar)
Why: The first fully animated 3D CGI feature.
This is where animation as we know it today started. This film had great characters, a great story, and even to this day looks great in HD. The people in the film looked animated and not quite real but this could be forgiven when the other characters (toys) had such great personality.
1999-The Iron Giant (Warner Bros)
Why: Cel Shading & Brad Bird who went on to work at Pixar
1999-Star Wars (ILM)- The Phantom Menace:
Why: the greatest number of CGI scenes than any previous film
Although not the greatest of films this did at the time have the greatest number of CGI scenes than any previous film. In 1999 we had an underwater city, fully CGI alien characters, and the unforgettable 'Pod' racing scene with a young Anakin Skywalker. It was fast and made the audience almost feel as though they were in the pod itself.
Why: the greatest number of CGI scenes than any previous film
Although not the greatest of films this did at the time have the greatest number of CGI scenes than any previous film. In 1999 we had an underwater city, fully CGI alien characters, and the unforgettable 'Pod' racing scene with a young Anakin Skywalker. It was fast and made the audience almost feel as though they were in the pod itself.
1999-The Matrix (Manex)
Why: Bullet time/ Green Screen & a Legacy Made
2000-Gladiator:(Mill Farm)
Why: The crowd composite from a British Company
This was a British film when Britain still had a CGI industry.
The crowd scene around the arena filled with masses of people looked so real it was difficult to differentiate it from a real crowd.
2001-Monsters Inc:(Pixar)
Why: A milestone from Pixar, the fur and skin of the monsters.
This was the first time that fur on a character had been used and it was especially effective on the main character Sully. Again, a great story with great characters, but especially for their look and textures.
2001-Lord of the Rings :Two Towers: (Weta Digital)
Why: Gollum skin texturing (subsurface scattering)
Although Gollum had been seen in the previous film, it wasn't until this one where Gollum could be really appreciated as a CGI marvel. It moved almost naturally, and had skin and textures not previously seen. It had almost a wet layer overlayed over its original skin layer. This with brilliant lighting emphasised the water on the skin making it look almost real.
Why: Gollum skin texturing (subsurface scattering)
Although Gollum had been seen in the previous film, it wasn't until this one where Gollum could be really appreciated as a CGI marvel. It moved almost naturally, and had skin and textures not previously seen. It had almost a wet layer overlayed over its original skin layer. This with brilliant lighting emphasised the water on the skin making it look almost real.
2005: The Lion, Witch, and the wardrobe: (Rhythm&Hues)
Why: This film had in excess of 20,000 characters in some of the main fight scenes.
Numerous characters had already been done in Gladiator but this had both human and animal characters, and even part human / animal characters in the scenes. Amongst this there was also Aslan's fur and the fur and skins of other animals.
Why: This film had in excess of 20,000 characters in some of the main fight scenes.
Numerous characters had already been done in Gladiator but this had both human and animal characters, and even part human / animal characters in the scenes. Amongst this there was also Aslan's fur and the fur and skins of other animals.
2005: Sin City: (CafeFX)
Why: Stylised 3D Backdrops
2006: Pirates of the Caribbean: (ILM)
Why: Pioneering use of motion capture.
It was used throughout the film, and continued on through the rest of the series.
2011: Avatar (ILM)
Why: 3D Steroscope
2011: Tron Legacy (Disney)
In order to retro-age Jeff Bridges to a 35-year-old, the actor had to wear a special helmet fitted with 4 strategically placed cameras enabling every textural nuance of his facial expressions to be recorded for precision synthesis during digital processing
A really thorough round up of movie milestones with CGI, technology & 3D at the forefront of 'new media' film making techniques.
Why: Pioneering use of motion capture.
It was used throughout the film, and continued on through the rest of the series.
2011: Avatar (ILM)
Why: 3D Steroscope
2011: Tron Legacy (Disney)
In order to retro-age Jeff Bridges to a 35-year-old, the actor had to wear a special helmet fitted with 4 strategically placed cameras enabling every textural nuance of his facial expressions to be recorded for precision synthesis during digital processing
A really thorough round up of movie milestones with CGI, technology & 3D at the forefront of 'new media' film making techniques.
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