The time has come for the Academy to finally give the VFX Oscar to “War for the Planet of the Apes.” Twice denied for “Rise” and “Dawn,” Weta Digital’s remarkable work on Caesar (Andy Serkis) culminated with a Shakespearean finale. It’s undeniably the best of the field. And coinciding with the 50th anniversary of the original “Planet of the Apes” would make it even sweeter. The Visual Effects Society obviously got the importance of the work, honoring the entire Caesar trilogy, now we’ll see if the Academy makes amends with “War.”
However, “Apes” has been denied before (with the acting branch, in particular, having a bias against Serkis and performance capture) and there is other noteworthy character animation to choose from, including the stunning CG Rachael from “Blade Runner 2049,” the creepy Snoke (Serkis) from “Star Wars: The Last Jedi,” Ego and the de-aged Kurt Russell from...
However, “Apes” has been denied before (with the acting branch, in particular, having a bias against Serkis and performance capture) and there is other noteworthy character animation to choose from, including the stunning CG Rachael from “Blade Runner 2049,” the creepy Snoke (Serkis) from “Star Wars: The Last Jedi,” Ego and the de-aged Kurt Russell from...
- 2/15/2018
- by Bill Desowitz
- Indiewire
(“Guardians 2” spoilers follow.)
So here’s a poser: In “Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2,” we have Peter Quill (Chris Pratt) and his father, Ego (Kurt Russell), a living planet that takes on human form. Weta Digital was challenged with creating the interior look of Ego, along with the various transformations during his climactic fight with Quill.
This involved complicated mathematical patterns known as fractals (inspired by artist Hal Tenny, who served as a consultant). However, not only did Weta have difficulty controlling the fractals, but it also had to make them pliable in short order.
And then there was the biggest challenge: Weta was charged with ensuring that “Guardians” avoided an R-rating. That’s because 40% of Ego gets destroyed in the fight, and his internal organs can be seen dangling behind him. Weta offered to make him look more fractal, oozing black blood, but director James Gunn would have none of that.
So here’s a poser: In “Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2,” we have Peter Quill (Chris Pratt) and his father, Ego (Kurt Russell), a living planet that takes on human form. Weta Digital was challenged with creating the interior look of Ego, along with the various transformations during his climactic fight with Quill.
This involved complicated mathematical patterns known as fractals (inspired by artist Hal Tenny, who served as a consultant). However, not only did Weta have difficulty controlling the fractals, but it also had to make them pliable in short order.
And then there was the biggest challenge: Weta was charged with ensuring that “Guardians” avoided an R-rating. That’s because 40% of Ego gets destroyed in the fight, and his internal organs can be seen dangling behind him. Weta offered to make him look more fractal, oozing black blood, but director James Gunn would have none of that.
- 5/9/2017
- by Bill Desowitz
- Indiewire
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