Computer-generated imagery— or CGI— is the mainstay of modern Hollywood films. The vast majority of animated films nowadays are computer-generated and the use of CGI has become so ingrained in how films are made that the tool either revolutionizes or regresses, depending on the film’s budget.
There are countless examples of some bad CGI in movies, but since the use of it in feature films has only recently gotten unquestionably good, it’s worth taking a look back on some examples of early CGI— from groundbreaking innovations to computer animation that perfectly encapsulates the time, these are older films that used CGI in a way that has aged surprisingly well.
10 Westworld (1973) Brought Pixels To The Big Screen
In Westworld (the original 1973 movie, not the 2016 HBO television series it inspired), the world had witnessed digital animation in a feature film for the very first time. Over ten years before the same concept in Predator, the androids use body temperature vision that lets them know not to shoot any living, breathing guests to the park. While it’s just simple red, orange, and yellow pixels that illuminate the heat sources, the effect looks as clean and well-down now as it did then.
9 Tron (1982) Introduced Moviegoers To The Idea Of Virtual Worlds Inside Computers
Disney’s TRON was a vision for its day as it was the very first film to extensively use 3D CGI in order to create the computer world where the film is set. And while moviegoers may be more attuned to its 2010 sequel or the countless films it has inspired, the absolutely distinctive look and feel of the film are like no other, perfectly placing the viewer in 1982. The film’s appeal comes from its pioneering CGI that can be appreciated for years to come.
8 Indiana Jones & The Last Crusade (1989) Expertly Blended Computers With Practical Effects
The Last Crusade features the very first all-digital composite scene in a feature film. Specifically, the scene where Elsa has chosen a grail for Donovon to drink from, thinking it was the actual Holy Grail. Drinking from the wrong grail means a gruesome death and some pretty impressive CGI was used by Industrial Light & Magic for the scene.
According to their website, “three motion-controlled puppet heads reveal the character in various stages of decomposition, with ILM’s patented Morphing technique used to blend the photography.”
7 Terminator 2: Judgement Day (1991) Was An Innovator In Computers Replicating Lifelike Human Movement
Considered one of the best movie sequels of all time, James Cameron’s Terminator 2: Judgement Day was revolutionary for its time, not only because of its thrilling action scenes and Linda Hamilton’s incredible biceps but also for its groundbreaking use of CGI. Even by today’s standards, the look of the T-1000’s liquid metal body as it chases after the Connor is detailed and seamless as it shows off the first CGI character with realistic human movements. It even won an Oscar for its visual effects.
6 Death Becomes Her (1992) Showed That CGI Could Be Used For Comedy As Well
The year after T2 won the Academy Award for Outstanding Visual Effects, Robert Zemeckis’ Death Become Her also succeeded in the category— and for good reason, too. A supernatural black comedy about two rivals who take a potion that will keep them young forever, the film uses many different kinds of visual effects, both practical and computer-generated. It is also noted for being the first movie to feature CGI animation of human skin, which was used in the scenes where the rivals beat each other hilariously.
5 Jurassic Park (1993) Challenged Viewers To Tell Its Practical Effects Scenes From Its CGI
Like Death Becomes Her, Steven Spielberg’s Jurassic Park visual effects are a combination of practical effects like animatronics, and breathtaking CGI— the difference is, Jurassic Park‘s enormous success is due in part to its CGI.
The first thing anything thinks of when the topic of CGI that has held up over the years, is the dinosaurs in Jurassic Park, even though the film’s CGI is minimal. Like he did for The Last Crusade, Spielberg had Industrial Light & Magic create the CGI for the film.
4 The Crow (1994) Utilized CGI To Finish The Film After The Death Of Its Lead Actor
Long before Peter Cushing and Carrie Fisher’s likenesses were used in Rogue One, The Crow was the first film to re-create a CGI character from a dead actor. After the tragic death of Brandon Lee before filming had been completed (Lee had been accidentally killed on-set with a prop gun), stuntman Chad Stahelski became a body double for the film’s remaining scenes, and Lee’s face was digitally composited onto Stahelski’s. The film’s CGI is so well done that it’s nearly impossible to tell the difference.
3 Casper (1995) Brought Hollywood Its First Fully-CGI Lead
Starring beloved Halloween-themed ’90s movie queen Christina Ricci, Casper broke CGI ground as it brought Ricci together with the most famous friendly ghost there is. Originally a Harvey Comics character, Casper was the very first lead character in a live-action film to be a full-fledged 3D CGI character along with Casper and the other ghosts being the first CGI characters to actually interact with live actors. What helps the film’s CGI hold up after all these years are the fantastical, comic book-style ghost character designs.
2 The Matrix (1999) Has CGI Effects That Still Impress 20+ Years Later
One of the most influential films of the last 30 years, The Matrix‘s CGI went above and beyond what computer-generated imagery could do thanks to the director-sister duo, Lana and Lilly Wachowski, who utilized “bullet time” effects in such a way that the film inspired the effect’s name.
Despite the bullet time effect being copied to death over the years, it is still as breathtaking now in the 2020s as it was in the last year of the old millennium.
1 Lord Of The Rings: The Fellowship Of The Ring (2001) Still Drops Jaws With Its Massive Battles & Terrifying Balrog
When The Lord of the Rings trilogy was first released, the scope, scale, and magnificence of it blew audiences away and still does to this day, 20 years later. An entire new CGI simulation system called MASSIVE had to be created in order to bring the film’s battle sequences to life in a realistic way and, while Fellowship‘s use of practical effects and camera tricks were utilized, the CGI for the Balrog can only be compared to how incredible Gollum looks later on.
About The Author
