20 Iconic Shots Before Special Effects Were Added

Movies inherently rely on the viewer's suspension of disbelief, especially when they introduce new worlds, incredible creatures, superheroes, mass destruction, and mind-bending visuals. We live in a world where things like CGI and motion capture are such a common practice that we hardly think twice about them, accepting what is presented on screen and moving on. However, there's still something to be said about "movie magic," and contemporary filmmakers don't get enough credit for the incredible tricks they pull off each year. Some would argue that gazing behind the curtain, and looking at the plethora of behind-the-scenes images and videos that find their way from movie sets onto the internet only ruins the illusion (after all, a magician never reveals his secrets), but sometimes the results can be quite impressive. The iconic images that have been achieved using such smoke-and-mirrors techniques as green screening and goofy mo-cap suits are baffling, and often humorous. Here are 20 iconic movie shots, before animators and VFX artists worked their magic. What did it take to turn Mark Ruffalo into a giant green rage monster? How did Harry Potter and Superman manage to fly right before our eyes? Find the answers to those questions and more in these photos that reveal some fun, imaginative, and often downright silly looks behind the scenes.

20. The Matrix Reloaded

Well, as it turns out, the Matrix is just a big green room.

19. 300

This is pretty much what every behind-the-scenes photo from 300 looks like. Which only makes the final product that much more impressive.

18. Sin City

The same thing goes with Sin City. There were very few "real" things in the movie outside of the actors themselves, and Robert Rodriguez found some ingenious and simple ways to bring Frank Miller's unique vision to life.

17. Terminator Salvation

It's a shame this reveal was spoiled by the trailers, but this shot from Terminator Salvation is pretty cool, and some great work by the make-up team.