9 Pre-CGI Movies With Jaw-Dropping Special Effects

The graphics generated by computer (CG) have revolutionized what filmmakers can do today. It seems that the only limit is your imagination (and your budget), because there are no practical challenges that you must overcome.

However, before CG was one thing, or at least sufficiently advanced to play a major role in a film, we had films that challenged the imagination and brought places, people and creatures to life using only practical art. If you think that something is missing with a shiny and modern CG, then one of these films will work like a strong palace cleaner.

9

The thing

If there is one thing like a perfect movie, then John Carpenter The thing is quite close. History, rhythm, game, everything meets. A remake of the years 1951 The thing of another worldThis film is the greatest strength is its creature effects.

The holder is an infinite horror beast, and the imaginative ways of Rob Bottin and his team have designed and animated the stranger in his different forms have never been exceeded. The modern prequel of this film attempted to reproduce the presence of creatures in the 1982 film using CG, and failed miserably.

8

2001: A Space Odyssey

2001: A Space Odyssey Released the year before the moon landings, and I guess people had to think that the visual effects were out of this world, because a long -standing conspiracy theory is that the landings have been traced using Stanley Kubrick. Of course, this is quite possible, but Kubrick being Kubrick, he probably insisted that they are running on the spot.

Related

6 space simulators that send you to the stars

Go boldly where few players have been before.

Everything joked apart, this film resists more than half a century later later. The use of detailed models, multiple exhibitions of the same film to optically composite elements and ingenious tips to simulate zero gravity or create the tripping visions viewed by the protagonist towards the end of the film represent a long list of technical solutions that less creators would have abandoned.

It is also perhaps THE Edifying story par excellence on the dangers of artificial intelligence, which is incredible given that when this film was released, the most powerful computer in the world was nothing more than a glorified pocket calculator.

7

Star Wars (1977)

Of course, there is probably no person in the world who has not heard Star WarsBut despite the way the franchise has become massive, we can always appreciate the success of the monumental visual effects that the first film was at the time.

It is the beginning of industrial light and magic. This is the first time that such dynamic space battles have been made possible thanks to a brilliant camera and miniature work. The dirty and lived look of the world was also a big break with what the films of space and science fiction looked like before. Not a framework of this film passes without an astonishing practical artistic talent.

It may seem a little picturesque now, but it is always possible to forget that you look at special effects and that you immerse yourself in this world. Now, technically, there are computer graphics in this film. More specifically, the 3D Wireframe graphics you see on certain computers’ displays in the film, but the real visual effects are all practical.

6

Blade Runner (1982)

Blade runner Effectively established what a cyberpunk film should look like on the screen. The work was done with incredible miniatures and effects with camera (such as flames from industrial chimneys.

This film drips with atmosphere and style of all pores, and the world feels real and anchored, although it is paved together from miniatures and sound stages.

Interesting fact, after visiting the set of Blade runner For a few days, Ed Neumeier was inspired by what he saw to create Robocop (According to our friends from Collider), another film that you will find later in this list.

5

An American werewolf in London (1982)

As a film, I personally prefer the subsequent suite, but An American werewolf in London Always has the largest wolf transformation scene in history. Of course, you can get a pivotal scene on YouTube, but it is in the context of the film as a whole where it has the greatest impact.

Rich Baker and his team shoot all the cylinders for the whole race of this film, and although the effects save, when you see the creatures (or the victims of the living dead), you cannot prevent yourself from admiring the twisted minds that spend thousands of hours to insert every fur or retail stand to scare you for a few minutes.

4

Alien (1979)

Visual language and conception of Stranger has become both emblematic and timeless. The appearance and feeling of alien come from two main artists. Ron Cobb’s conceptions are largely responsible for the technology we see, such as human space vessels and ships’ interiors, while HR Giger was responsible for foreigners and its organic accessories, such as eggs and Facehugger.

Related

11 Netflix horror comedies guaranteed to make you laugh and shout

These will make you cry with fear and joy.

The grainy and realistic representation of space truckers picking up a charge that they should have decreased always seem incredible, and even modern films have endeavored to preserve the appearance of this universe rather than erroneous attempts to “update” it.

3

The Dark Crystal (1982)

While Jim Henson is mainly known for his family mupets, he was not opposed to more mature dishes. The dark crystal Not suitable for young viewers, but it is a wonderful black fantasy tale. The conflict between the extraterrestrial, but gentle gelflings and the horrible skekis resembling a vulture, take place in the form of puppets on stages made by hand, but you will quickly forget that you look at a puppet program and believe that these characters are real.

2

Robocop (1987)

Robocop is one of my favorite films of all time, and I can literally spend hours talking about themes, satire, cinematography and all the shenanigans behind the scenes, but the visual effects alone would distinguish it from the crowd.

Related

6 Hollywood ways continues to screw up the restarts and remakes of the film

And off we go.

This iridescent plastic costume is completely credible as a heavy metal cyborg body. The facial makeup on Peter Weller completely convinces you that it is not a human that you are looking at. Everything related to Robocop itself is visually impeccable. I certainly think it looks better than the costume in the remake!

Besides the fabulous effects of Robo, blood and blood are higher (although taking note R seriously!) And the hitchhiking work of Phil Tippet with the ED-209 is of high level to date. The only black brand here is Dick Jones’ strangely long arms in the film’s final sequence, but we are not talking about it.

1

The Terminator (1984)

The terminator is one of those rare independent films (yes, it was self-funded) which strikes so far above its weight that most people consider it a large studio blockbuster. However, this film had almost no money and often had to be shot in a legally doubtful manner, thanks to a lack of permit.

Despite this, Stan Winston and his team manage to create a revolutionary mixture of rear projection composition, miniatures, puppets, prostheses and stop-motion for what is really only a slasher film with an intelligent premise.

It’s as interesting as The terminator And Terminator 2: Judgment Day Speed ​​up for each side of the CG division and not-CG, because the second film was the first really major success at the box office which was strongly based on the IT effects of the T-1000.

I recently reviewed The terminator In the cinema, and he holds absolutely and is not a less tense thumb than the day he released.

I want this list to be so longer. This would allow me to add more movies like Oz assistant Or Conan the Barbarian. The 20th century is filled with wonderful films that use practical artistic talent and optical camera effects to develop unforgettable worlds and characters. Those with weight and substance more credible than most of the first CG effects we saw in the 90s and 2000s.

Today, filmmakers use the best of both worlds, combining practical effects and CG to really raise what is possible in films like Blade Runner 2049 And Dune. For someone who likes the effects of the film, it’s good news all around!