Top 10 Movie Scenes You Didn't Realize Were CGI
Top 10 Movie Scenes You Didn't Realize Were CGI
Top 10 Movie Scenes That Were More Important Than You Realize
Wait, that’s not real? Welcome to WatchMojo and today we’ll be counting down our picks for the top 10 movie scenes you didn’t realize were CGI. For this list, we’ll be going over the moments and scenes from movies that utilized surprisingly subtle computer-generated imagery, such that the audience probably didn’t even notice.
#10: Spicing Up Locations
“The Wolf of Wall Street” (2013) Despite director Martin Scorsese’s reputation as a proponent of classic cinematic techniques, he has adapted with the times when it can help enhance his movies. “The Wolf of Wall Street” may seem like a fairly straightforward film that wouldn’t utilize much in the way of visual effects, but many of its locales are partially created or extended through computer imagery - taking existing footage and enhancing the ambiance. Especially notable is the final shot of a minimum-security prison with a tennis court, which is actually several shots stitched together. Jordan Belfort’s success is a lot hollower than it first appears.
#9: Philadelphia Skyline
“Shazam!” (2019) One of the film’s most memorable scenes sees the titular superhero showing off for a crowd on the iconic Philadelphia steps up to the city’s museum of art, made famous by the movie “Rocky.” The filmmakers had trouble securing the location for filming and even shot an alternate version set elsewhere. However, when they did finally get the right to shoot there, the weather was foggy, preventing the iconic skyline from being visible. To rectify this, the skyline was added in digitally. While the effects artists probably can’t shoot lightning with their hands, they did perform a nifty bit of magic with them here.
#8: ‘70s San Francisco
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“Zodiac” (2007) This suspenseful thriller directed by David Fincher follows the investigation into the real unsolved murder cases involving the Zodiac killer in the 1970s San Francisco Bay Area. Although the costumes and sets went a long way towards recreating the time period, visual effects were used extensively as well. Many establishing shots required creating detailed 3D environments via computer, which look fantastic onscreen. Also, whenever possible, Fincher shot the scenes of the murders at the actual locations they took place in, which necessitated some digital alterations to make the areas look correct for the decade.
#7: Falling Through the Ceiling
“Jurassic Park” (1993) A dinosaur movie that has reigned supreme since its release, “Jurassic Park” seamlessly blended practical effects and CGI so well that they still look great today. However, although the dinosaurs may be the first things that spring to mind when it comes to this movie’s CGI, one moment that viewers may not have realized was CG involves a human. While being stalked by velociraptors, the characters take refuge in vents. However, young Lex drops through one at one point, with several raptors nipping at her heels, which she looks at, before briefly looking up at the camera. This short scene was performed by a stunt double, to avoid putting the underage actress in danger, and her face was replaced in post-production.
#6: Dog Poop
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“John Wick” (2014) “John Wick” is an action franchise known for its stellar practical choreography, but it also has some noticeable CGI, particularly some of the blood when characters get shot. However, one of the more baffling uses of CGI in this, or any film, is this scene. After getting his new dog from his dead wife, John has to let the animal out to…do her business…which she promptly does, as shown to the audience. It’s a blink- and-you’ll-miss-it shot, so it’s hard to believe that it cost a reported $5000 to create. This was apparently done because they couldn’t force the dog with laxatives, but given how short the shot is, we can’t help but feel that a fake plastic poop would’ve been cheaper.
#5: Quantum Suits
“Avengers: Endgame” (2019) Given that it’s a gigantic CGI filled superhero movie, there were bound to be a few bits of visual effects to fly under people’s radars. While it was tempting to discuss Cap’s CGI cowl during his fight with…himself, we elected to focus on the famous quantum suits. During their plan to retrieve the Infinity Stones from the past, the Avengers squad suit up in quantum time-travel suits that can be donned with the press of a button. While many probably assume their CGI is limited to the effect of their formation, in reality, none of the actors ever wore the suits and they’re all completely realized with visual effects!
#4: Aged Logan
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“Logan” (2017) This western-inspired “X-Men” film features several CGI moments that can be hard to spot, including a number of scenes where lead actor Hugh Jackman’s face is stitched onto a stunt double. However, it’s Jackman’s own face that gets the most hard-to-spot effects. Jackman is a damn handsome man in real life, so we figured some kind of trickery had to be at work to make him look older, but although part of Logan’s more aged look is achieved through make-up, the rest of his weather-beaten and world-weary visage is created via CGI.
#3: Truck Flip
“The Dark Knight” (2008) Director Christopher Nolan frequently uses practical effects in his films, but he utilizes CGI in order to sell some moments more effectively. One such moment happens during the famous scene in which Batman and the Joker appear to play chicken, with the former on a Batcycle and the latter in a semi-truck. After Batman ties up the truck with cables, the huge vehicle flips over completely, in a stunning shot. Although a real truck and driver were used, the flip was aided by a piston underneath the truck, which was simply erased in post-production to complete the illusion.
#2: Stand-In Iron Man
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“Iron Man 3” (2013) Throughout part of the third “Iron Man” installment, Tony Stark foregoes donning the armor of his alter ego himself, following a brush with death. Instead he opts to use a remote-controlled version. Life actually imitated art to some degree during filming. At one point, actor Robert Downey Jr. broke his ankle, which left him unable to perform some scenes. To solve this, a body double was used in his stead. Downey’s face and performance were then layered on top of the double’s, for some scenes, like his famous final “I am Iron Man” moment. The process is so slick, we’d have to be a genius on Stark’s level to figure it out without help. Before we get to our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions: The Town’s Buildings “The Truman Show” (1998) Arms “Tag” (2018) The Twins “The Social Network” (2010) The Opera Scene “Mission: Impossible - Rogue Nation” (2015) Earpieces “Les Miserables” (2012)
#1: Chase Sequence Enhancements
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“Mad Max: Fury Road” (2015) This thrilling, post-apocalyptic chase movie is among the most celebrated action movies in recent years in part due to its practical stunts and effects. But even “Mad Max: Fury Road” has a few touch-ups. Besides lots of color correction throughout the movie, which gave it its distinctive orange tone, many of the film’s signature car chase scenes feature landscapes realized through CG imagery. Canyons and dusty plains were enhanced or entirely rendered by visual effects artists. Also, some of the chase scenes were composited together to include more vehicles. Even so, we think the results are lovely, regardless of the day.
