| A couple of recent movies have used computer graphics to replace or enhance movies, dinosaurs and mutated hobbits notwithstanding. Most of the action sequences in Spiderman were computer generated, and the Hulk was entirely a fabrication. While these graphics were obviously not real, the lines between reality and computer graphics are becoming blurred. In watching the Hulk, I was impressed by the expression and detail that was achieved, and I started to wonder when we will just dispense with actors altogether.
Science Fiction lends itself well to this technology; with most space ships being computer rendered now-a-days, dispensing with the models and fishing lines. Babylon 5, for example. When will we see a resurrected DeForest Kelly playing Dr. McCoy in a Star Trek movie?
But computer graphics are leading to a jaded audience. Gone are the days of the audience gasping at an effect or stunt and wondering “How did they do that?” The athletic prowess of Bruce Lee or even Jackie Chan has been replaced by Keanu Reeves’ wooden slow-motion movements to run on walls or dodge bullets. Why hide a rocket in the back of a car and get a stunt person to jump it over a broken bridge when you can just get a computer to animate it?  |