Have Computer Visuals Gone Too Far?

I stand somewhat conflicted on this issue ... I'd love to hear what others think. But I'm trying to figure out which situation makes me more awe-struck ... seeing a gigantic clone army on the screen that I know has been completely produced by a computer or seeing the huge sets and huge numbers of extras that D.W. Griffith put together for his classic Intolerance. With most films before the visual wonders of the 90's, you knew that the extras and the lavish sets appearing on screen had been actually created physically. There's something that can't quite be described about a film where a character physically lives within a lavish set or is surrounded by actual extras as opposed to one actor standing in front of a blue screen where we know that everything around him has been fabricated.

I hope no one takes my discussion to be a complete condemnation of the use of computer graphics in live action films ... does anyone else understand why I'm trying to say?

Anyway, just an issue that struck me this past week. It's interesting to see how two of our most popular filmmakers, George Lucas and Steven Spielberg, view the craft of film so differently, and how we have two more films from each both lighting up the big screen this summer. Lucas has embraced digital video, Spielberg will probably never touch it, always going for film. Lucas embraces all kinds of computer visuals, Spielberg only uses it when it serves the story, and I doubt we'll ever see a computer generated set like the ones in the Star Wars films in one of his films. I don't know, I just have to side with Spielberg when it comes to the craft of filmmaking on this one.

Anyway, in my next article, it will be time to analyze 2002 as we arrive at the halfway point of the year ... I'll analyze which films from the first half of the year stand any chance of being nominated for any Oscars at the 75th Annual Academy Awards. And very soon, I will begin a countdown celebration of sorts for the Academy's 75th Anniversary. Until then, enjoy this blockbuster summer at the movies!

Go To Page: 1 2 3 4