As a cinephile who has spent countless hours immersed in the world of cinema, I must say that the use of de-aging technology in films is a double-edged sword. On one hand, it allows us to see our favorite actors in their younger days, bringing a unique perspective to their characters and stories. On the other hand, when not executed well, it can take audiences out of the experience, as was the case with both _The Irishman_ and _Tron: Legacy_.
Over time, de-aging technology has grown common in movie viewing, utilizing advanced CGI techniques to portray our beloved actors as if they were still at their peak. This technology offers a peek into the past of characters such as Tony Stark in Captain America: Civil War or sets the epic background story for favorites like Orlando Bloom in The Hobbit trilogy. De-aging serves to give additional context and backstory, enhancing the viewing experience for audiences.
Despite its intention to enhance storytelling, it frequently fails, venturing into the realm of the unsettling and drawing viewers away from the unfolding narrative. When the technology is employed but falls short of convincing authenticity, the character may seem unnaturally inhuman, despite bearing a striking human likeness.
In the ever-expanding realm of de-aging in Hollywood’s film industry, there are numerous instances where the results have fallen short, making the actors appear less convincing.
10 Terminator Genisys (2015)
De-Aged Arnold Schwarzenegger
In the fifth film of the Terminator series titled “Terminator Genisys,” the storyline centers around a time-traveling scenario where Sarah Connor’s son is sent back in time to shield his mother from an attempt on her life by a Terminator. Upon arriving in the past, Sarah’s son, Kyle (portrayed by Jai Courtney), unexpectedly finds that his mother (Emilia Clarke) has developed combat skills and is accompanied by a Terminator protector (Arnold Schwarzenegger).
Although the Terminator story going back into the past allowed for clear reasoning behind the de-aging of Arnold Schwarzenegger, the recasting of Sarah Connor to a younger actress immediately negates that decision. The iconic Austrian bodybuilder is not a character the filmmakers could simply replace, so they used de-aging technology instead.
Although this technology appears similar to a younger Schwarzenegger, it isn’t flawless; numerous scenes hint at the use of computer-generated imagery. However, its imperfections are beneficial to the movie since the Terminator is an artificial intelligence machine, and its slightly off appearance aligns with the film’s narrative.
9 Rogue One (2016)
De-Aged Carrie Fisher
Rogue One” serves as the initial episode in the Star Wars anthology series, nestled between the happenings of “Episode III” and “Episode IV.” This movie follows an unlikely group of individuals who strive to transmit the Death Star blueprints to the Rebel Alliance. It garnered significant acclaim among Star Wars enthusiasts. The story concludes with the plans being handed over to Princess Leia, setting the stage for the events that unfold in “Episode IV,” which kick off within her spacecraft.
Upon getting the blueprints, the movie wraps up with a note of optimism. The protagonists’ deeds are what set the events of the following trilogy in motion.
Enthusiasts of the popular science fiction series were thrilled to witness Princess Leia reappear in her initial role, sporting once again the famous side buns and white headdress. However, there was a problem with the de-aging technique employed to mimic a younger Carrie Fisher’s appearance. Although it was generally praised as impressive at first, over time this specific example of de-aging has become less convincing because her facial features do not accurately resemble those of the original character.
8 Gemini Man (2019)
De-Aged Will Smith
As a cinephile, I’d say “Gemini Man” (2019) was an action-packed sci-fi flick where I, Will Smith, portrayed a nearly retired hitman who got tailed by an enigmatic character. As the plot thickened, it turned out that this shadowy pursuer, always one step behind me, was none other than my younger self, sent to take me down. The intricate, unconventional storyline of this film earned it a spot at the box office, although it didn’t quite resonate with the same level of appreciation among critics and reviewers.
The central challenge in the movie “Gemini Man” arises because the character portrayed by Will Smith appears alongside his present-day counterpart. This recurring comparison of his current appearance makes the de-aged version seem somewhat unnatural and out of place. Moreover, the noticeable age difference between scenes negatively impacts the technology used for this purpose, landing it on the list.
7 Pee-wee’s Big Holiday (2016)
De-Aged Paul Reubens
Paul Reubens once again stepped into the beloved character of comedian Pee-wee Herman for the 2016 Netflix film titled “Pee-wee’s Big Vacation“. In this episode, Pee-wee embarks on his initial journey outside New York, marking his first holiday. Throughout his travels across the nation, Pee-wee finds himself in various funny predicaments and adventures in this movie suitable for all ages.
In order to maintain the image of eternal youth that is associated with him, the filmmakers opted to employ de-aging techniques to make Pee-wee resemble his usual self, rather than depicting Paul Reubens’ actual age. While this aspect may not significantly impact the storyline in this movie suitable for all ages, it seems somewhat superfluous, as a touch of makeup might have sufficed. However, the end result appears strikingly artificial, which gives an impression that Pee-wee’s immortality could be something not entirely human or natural.
6 X-Men: The Last Stand (2006)
De-Aged Patrick Stewart and Ian McKellan
The movie titled “X-Men: The Last Stand” serves as the concluding chapter of the initial X-Men trilogy. Known for its daring decisions and mixed critical reception, it revolves around a groundbreaking discovery of a cure for mutants. This revelation sparks division among them, with some opting to assimilate into normal human society, while others prefer seclusion. This ideological schism results in tension and confrontations between the two factions.
The reason this entry isn’t lower on the list is because it was the pioneer in using de-aging technology, a novelty that, at the time, lacked any comparable reference points. Consequently, it’s difficult to be overly critical given its innovative nature. Nevertheless, it cannot be denied that it appears rather strange and otherworldly.
In the style of a Mission: Impossible film, the flawless countenance of Patrick Stewart and the piercing gaze of Ian McKellen evoke such suspense that one might mistake them for real-life villain decoys. It was wise for the prequel films to reintroduce these two X-Men, as a standalone movie featuring only them could have been overly captivating, to say the least. With fresh Professor X and Magneto actors in the works, fans can rest assured that such an occurrence is unlikely to happen again.
5 Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny (2023)
De-Aged Harrison Ford
The movie “Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny,” which came out recently, is the fifth film in the Indiana Jones series. In this latest adventure, Harrison Ford reprises his role as the renowned archaeologist, working alongside his granddaughter (portrayed by Phoebe Waller-Bridge). Together, they embark on a thrilling quest to uncover an ancient mystical dial before it falls into the grasp of a malevolent former Nazi now employed at NASA.
The movie starts by briefly using computer-generated imagery (CGI) to show a younger version of Harrison Ford, which feels somewhat unconvincing. The problem isn’t so much the technical aspect but rather the authenticity or believability of this de-aged Indy character. This initial scene could have been omitted from the film, yet it was included, resulting in an opening that seems less realistic due to the uncanny appearance of the character. In remakes involving veteran actors, it might be more effective to embrace their current appearances instead of attempting to recreate past versions.
4 Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales (2017)
De-Aged Johnny Depp
The film titled “Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales” is the last part of the Pirates of the Caribbean series featuring Johnny Depp as Captain Jack Sparrow. This movie follows Sparrow’s quest to find Poseidon’s Trident, a mission aimed at preventing his old foe, the spectral Captain Salazar (played by Javier Bardem), from getting it.
Instead of one movie, you might prefer two films that are part five and six in a renowned action series where the central figure embarks on a quest for an old magical artifact and includes a flashback scene showing the protagonist de-aging. These movies share many similarities with their predecessors but seem to have added the flashback sequence merely to de-age the character, aiming to rekindle the magic of the initial installments. However, the outcome was somewhat peculiar as Johnny Depp’s character appeared oddly aged due to heavy CGI alterations in his face, which became a topic of conversation among fans following the movie.
3 Central Intelligence (2016)
De-Aged Dwayne Johnson
2016’s “Central Intelligence” stars Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson and Kevin Hart in a hilarious action-comedy. They portray their former high school rivals: Johnson as a now-muscular man who was once bullied, and Hart as the popular athlete from back then. Their story revolves around espionage on a global scale and physical combat. The movie is filled with exciting action scenes interspersed with witty dialogue between the leads, resulting in favorable audience reactions and strong box office returns.
Instead of hiring a young actor to portray the leads’ high school selves, the movie opted to digitally de-age Johnson. However, this choice resulted in an unsettling visual, as Johnson’s features were stretched across an overweight teenager’s face, creating an altogether unrealistic appearance.
The character’s look was designed for comedic effect, and indeed it elicits laughter, yet its startling physical appearance often overshadows other aspects of the scene. The impact of these scenes could have been significantly enhanced if a more age-appropriate actor had been chosen, but instead, they concentrated solely on visual humor.
2 The Irishman (2019)
De-Aged Robert De Niro and Al Pacino
Martin Scorsese’s Best Picture-nominated mob tale, titled The Irishman, presents Robert De Niro as Frank Sheeran and Al Pacino as Jimmy Hoffa. The film delves into the entire span of Sheeran’s life, depicting his rise through the organized crime ranks. Known for its immersive world-building and character development, this movie garnered critical acclaim and impressive audience ratings. With a sense of completion to Scorsese’s previous work, it crafted an exceptional narrative that intertwines elements of crime, drama, and enduring legacy.
In the film, there was a contentious choice to significantly reduce the age of Robert De Niro and Al Pacino throughout much of the plot. Given their exceptional acting abilities and the pivotal roles they play in the characters, it would have been difficult, if not impossible, to swap them with younger actors. Instead, their on-screen presence took on a video game-like quality due to the heavy use of CGI, which somewhat diminished their acting prowess. Though essential to the narrative, this aspect proved to be quite distracting for viewers.
1 Tron: Legacy (2010)
De-Aged Jeff Bridges
In 2010, we have a film titled “Tron: Legacy“, which serves as a sequel to the popular 1982 movie. It continues the storyline within the same universe and features the same characters. Jeff Bridges portrays Kevin Flynn, who has been imprisoned in the digital world known as “Tron” for twenty years. His son gets pulled into this world by an enigmatic signal, eventually leading to his father’s discovery.
As a passionate cinephile, I must say that the creators of this film endeavored to kick off the story with a flashback scene mirroring Jeff Bridges’ appearance from the original movie. Unfortunately, this move has been widely panned by viewers ever since, and remains a topic of ongoing criticism.
In a $170 million production, they employed CGI technology to portray Jeff Bridges as younger, but it resulted in a likeness reminiscent of a wax figure brought to life instead. Interestingly, Bridges himself compared his appearance to Bill Maher rather than himself. Regardless of this questionable choice, the film garnered over $400 million at the box office and paved the way for the upcoming third installment, Tron: Ares, slated for 2025.
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2024-10-05 05:02