10 Most Amazing Practical Movie Effects Of The 2010s
Yes, Tom Cruise IS on this list.
There's a common perception among audiences that practical movie effects are automatically better than digital ones, but this isn't always the case.
The truth is that any type of visual effect can work if it's implemented properly, and over the years, we've seen some phenomenal digital work (Jurassic Park) as well as some stellar practical wizardry (An American Werewolf In London).
But while CGI is just expected to be good - and it only really gets talked about when it's bad - great practical effects can easily become the defining aspect of a film.
From insane stunts to wince-inducing horror and gore effects, movies that do as much in-camera work as possible can more effortlessly immerse audiences in the world they're trying to convincingly construct; no matter how smooth CGI is, there's always that quiet, persistent voice in your head telling you that it's not real.
In a sea of green-screen-laden modern blockbusters, a superb practical effect or real-life set sticks out like a fly on a wedding cake, and in the 2010s, we've been gifted a ton of truly amazing examples in this area.
10. The Arm Scene (127 Hours)
So believable that it reportedly caused people to faint while watching, 127 Hours' infamous arm-amputation scene is painfully detailed and near-impossible to watch without looking away from.
A true story about one man's sheer determination to survive, 127 Hours ends with Aron Ralston (James Franco) amputating his own arm with a pocket knife, a moment that's shown in full, gory detail, with little left to the imagination.
It's difficult to watch, in large part due to the extremely detailed practical effects work. In order to achieve the desired effect, the design team built a lifelike arm - complete with muscles, nerves, and some crushed fingers - for Franco to work with in the scene.
And the result speaks for itself. You can feel every second of Ralston's pain, and the scene was so realistic that it even garnered praise from several real doctors.
Oh, and that moment where he twangs on one of his nerves is absolutely horrifying.