10 More Epic Movie Moments You Won't Believe Didn't Use CGI
No CGI was used to make a certain pencil disappear in The Dark Knight...
When used sporadically and the talented folks in charge of creating the visuals are given enough time to craft something that doesn't look like a rubbery, cartoonish mess, CGI can be a wonderful tool.
However, there's still nothing quite like sitting on the edge of your seat and happily having your mind blown by the realisation that everything you're watching go down on screen is almost entirely practical and not created on a computer.
Every now and then, though, a practical effect is so sensational and unbelievable that the average film fan doesn't even notice that the epic moment in question wasn't actually computer-generated at all. But you better believe that everything from jaw-dropping explosions to some of the most spectacular fight sequences in movie history, were all brought to life for real - with the occasional sprinkle of practical movie magic, of course.
So, get ready to be blown away by the impressive ways filmmakers managed to genuinely, well, blow actors away, and marvel at the way Marvel Studios were able to convince you a character was present through some mesmerising non-digital effects.
It's time to get practical, folks.
10. Nebula Carried A Dummy Peter Quill During The Opening - Guardians Of The Galaxy Vol. 3
Early on in the third and final volume in the Guardians of the Galaxy trilogy, a rather drunk Peter Quill is carried to bed by Nebula after passing out once again.
And while you may assume that this sort of epic opening visual of the gang all walking through Knowhere to the sound of an acoustic version of Radiohead's Creep could only be achieved through either some impressive wire work or CGI wizardry... you'd be wrong.
James Gunn actually had the brilliant team over at Legacy Effects create a fully believable stand-in Star Lord that weighed only 35lbs. This meant that Karen Gillan could very much carry what looked like Chris Pratt's Guardian during that emotional opening stretch when shooting the moment on set.
Our editor @FredRaskin asked us, about two weeks into editing this scene, where the wires were. He didn’t realize this incredible effect by @LegacyEffects wasn’t actually @prattprattpratt. Our special effects & makeup teams put their hearts into this film like everyone else.… pic.twitter.com/LdSvkPaDlY— James Gunn (@JamesGunn) May 6, 2023
In fact, the entirely practical dummy was so damn realistic, even the film's editor Fred Raskin didn't realise this wasn't really Pratt until about two weeks into editing the scene.