10 Stunning Practical Effects That Will Make You Question CGI

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As a dedicated cinephile, I’ve been captivated since the awe-inspiring spectacle of King Kong rampaging through New York City in 1933. Time and again, filmmakers have taken us beyond the realms of possibility, enabling us to witness the extraordinary that once seemed unimaginable. The advent of CGI (computer-generated imagery) in special effects has shattered the boundaries of what’s feasible, opening up a world of cinematic wonder that continues to leave me spellbound.

In contrast to what some movies might lead you to believe, not all effects are created using computer-generated imagery (CGI). The boundary between practical and digital effects is often unclear because an effective special effect should leave you wondering if it’s real or just clever trickery. What follows is a selection of visual effects that you may have assumed were the result of impressive CGI, but in fact, they are not.

10
The Fight in the Hallway

‘Inception’ (2010)

In the film Inception, numerous visual effects stand out. While Christopher Nolan’s movies are generally known for minimal CGI, the plot revolving around a heist within the dream world necessitated computer-generated imagery. The movie pushed the boundaries of physics so much that it was impractical to create every effect using traditional methods, and from a financial perspective, it would have been unfeasible.

Instead of relying on computer-generated imagery (CGI), one of the film’s standout scenes was achieved through practical effects: the fight in the spinning hallway. In this sequence, Arthur engages in combat with his adversaries within a narrow corridor that continuously spins. Although some wires might have been digitally removed, it’s an impressive demonstration of editing and cinematography. Can you imagine how they managed to pull it off? They constructed a genuine rotating set.

9
Every Jet Plane Fight

‘Top Gun: Maverick’ (2022)

In 2022, we got the unexpected sequel that we didn’t realize we were missing – “Top Gun: Maverick”. After nearly four decades in the making, it seems a lot of time was spent trying to convince Tom Cruise that reprising his role would be worth it. Thankfully, their efforts paid off as “Top Gun: Maverick” became an unprecedented hit, drawing crowds back to cinemas during the post-COVID period.

In this film, Tom Cruise takes the main role, and he’s famous for striving for genuine authenticity in his films. True to form, there were no exceptions here. All the jet plane scenes and aerial maneuvers showcased real aircraft in the sky, and in certain sequences, the actors endured moves that no human typically encounters. Remarkably, this was done without relying on any computer-generated imagery.

8
Some of BB-8’s Scenes

‘Star Wars: The Force Awakens’ (2015)

The Star Wars series is groundbreaking when it comes to special effects and CGI technology. While the original 1977 movie revolutionized science fiction films and early visual effects, maintaining its visual appeal even today, some people view George Lucas’ Special Edition releases as a questionable move that detracts from the franchise’s cinematic integrity.

For “The Force Awakens” (or Episode 7), what really got people talking was the excitement over the return of the cherished series, rather than the groundbreaking special effects that J.J. Abrams promised. However, the fact that BB-8, the cute, sphere-shaped android who teams up with Rey on her journey, is a testament to the movie’s impressive visual production and effects. It might sound unbelievable, but an android similar to BB-8 was actually constructed and utilized in most of the scenes where BB-8 interacts with Rey.

7
No Gravity

‘Apollo 13’ (1995)

Apollo 13 is a movie directed by Ron Howard, which depicts the true events of a crisis that occurred in 1970 during a space mission. In this mission, three astronauts were aboard, but a short circuit created an extremely dangerous situation for them. The film’s tense atmosphere, enhanced by cutting-edge special effects from 1995, continues to impress viewers with its realism even today.

One notable visual effect in this production is the zero-gravity scene, where it appears as though the astronauts are truly in space. This illusion is achieved due to Howard employing zero-g maneuvers during the space sequence filming. To obtain NASA’s approval, he utilized the KC-135 aircraft, which provides approximately 23 seconds of weightlessness effect. Can you envision just how many times that plane ascended and descended for Howard to capture the footage he required?

6
Mary Jane’s Food Tray

‘Spider-Man’ (2002)

As I watched the cinematic unfold, it was clear that the protagonist, Peter Parker, found himself endowed with extraordinary abilities following an encounter with a genetically altered spider. It’s only natural that he would seek to utilize these powers to win over the affection of the woman who had long held his heart, Mary Jane Watson. One particularly memorable scene showcased this, as Peter gracefully intercepted a mid-air cascade of food when Mary Jane slipped in the school cafeteria, thereby demonstrating both his newfound prowess and his unwavering devotion.

In the movie, Tobey Maguire had a challenging scene where he needed to perform a feat that was purely practical – simultaneously catching Kirsten Dunst with one arm and grabbing every item from a tray with the other, without causing any spills or drops. After 156 attempts, Maguire successfully caught each falling object, thus rescuing MJ’s lunch piece by piece. The genuine surprise on their faces when this happened can be clearly seen in the film itself.

5
The Tesseract

‘Interstellar’ (2014)

Intriguingly, “Interstellar” has become a film that experts dissect yet ultimately validate as realistic from a theoretical perspective. The plot revolves around an astronaut who serves as humanity’s last hope for survival by venturing into outer space in search of a habitable planet. However, the challenges he encounters are not ordinary; they involve time and space being significantly distorted to create a captivating narrative exploring the human experience.

In the final scene of the movie, Cooper winds up in a visually stunning, confusing structure called a tesseract, located within a black hole. This turbulent yet breathtaking environment serves as the backdrop for our protagonist to honor his vow to his daughter. The tesseract, brought to life by practical effects, demonstrates the director’s determination to adhere to his creative vision and that of his team. It was crafted over several months through intricate model work and the deployment of numerous projectors.

4
The Guitar Player Shooting Flames

‘Mad Max: Fury Road’ (2015)

Mad Max: Fury Road leaves an immediate impact right from its opening scene. This film caught everyone off guard, particularly younger audiences who aren’t accustomed to such large-scale productions. The special effects play a significant role in enhancing the overall experience and make it worth watching on a grand cinema screen.

In the movie, several special effects make it hard to tell what’s CGI and what’s practical, but the guitarist riding on Immortan Joe’s rig is genuinely real. Despite being visible for only a brief moment, the flaming guitar of Doof Warrior led everyone to assume he was computer-generated. However, this assumption is false; he was indeed a human named Sean Hape, and his guitar truly spat flames.

3
Flipping a Real 18-Wheeler

‘The Dark Knight’ (2008)

As a cinephile, I can’t help but notice that Christopher Nolan’s films grace the list an impressive three times, and it’s not by accident. He’s got this knack for opting for practical effects, disregarding the hefty cost and labor involved, even when it means powering down computers and getting back to basics with hands-on craftsmanship. In Tenet, he achieved the seemingly impossible by orchestrating a plane crash into a hangar. But in The Dark Knight, he took it up a notch, pushing the boundaries of what we thought was physically possible.

In this Batman movie, the chase sequence is simply exceptional. Although it’s clear that the Batmobile is a genuine vehicle, its transformation into the Batcycle during the scene leaves you amazed instead of thinking it’s over. Instead, it becomes more thrilling and faster. The balance between real-life effects and Nolan’s inventive editing is commendable. What truly takes your breath away, though, is when Nolan chooses to culminate the scene by flipping a real 18-wheeler right in the middle of the street. It’s a testament to the genius of one talented filmmaker.

2
Buildings Burned to Ashes

‘Independence Day’ (1996)

1996 saw the global hype surrounding the release of “Independence Day,” with its impressive trailer promising a darkened planet as a massive alien spaceship shadow hinted at their colossal size. The film’s director, Roland Emmerich, made it clear that chaos was imminent by providing glimpses of destruction in select shots.

At the start of the movie, humanity braces itself for an unprecedented catastrophe, yet no amount of preparation seems sufficient. In a devastating sequence of events, metropolises such as New York and Washington D.C. fall victim to colossal spaceship assaults. Emmerich believed that utilizing miniature sets would provide a stark contrast to the film’s impressive CGI effects and successfully achieved this by causing audience distress through the convincing destruction of landmarks like the Empire State Building, the White House, and other iconic structures. But how did he accomplish it? By setting ablaze actual miniature models.

1
Tom Cruise Takes off With a Plane – On the Outside

‘Mission: Impossible – Rogue Nation’ (2015)

In the fifth installment of the “Mission: Impossible” franchise, dubbed “Rogue Nation,” Tom Cruise had already dazzled us with an impressive array of jaw-dropping stunts. The previous film, “Ghost Protocol,” had pushed the limits when he scaled the towering Burj Khalifa in Dubai, which happens to be the tallest building on the planet. So, I found myself wondering, how could he possibly outdo that?

Indeed, let me clarify this for you: In the movie “Rogue Nation”, Tom Cruise actually performed a daring stunt where he hung onto a plane’s door as it took off. This brief but thrilling scene showcases Cruise’s physical prowess as an action star who is committed to achieving the extraordinary, without relying on computer-generated imagery.

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2025-01-23 05:04