The dawn of the 21st century heralded a new era in cinematic technology, where computer-generated imagery (CGI) promised to revolutionize the way stories were told on the big screen. From creating fantastical worlds to bringing characters to life that could never exist otherwise, CGI held the potential to be both a powerful tool and a mesmerizing art form. However, alongside the breath taking achievements, there have been numerous instances where CGI has fallen spectacularly short. This article delves into some of the notable missteps in CGI from 2000 to today, examining the reasons behind these failures and their impact on the films they were a part of.

Early 2000s: growing pains

The early 2000s were a period of experimentation and transition for CGI. As filmmakers pushed the boundaries of what was possible, some projects stumbled due to a lack of experience and the nascent nature of the technology.

"The Mummy Returns" (2001): The Scorpion King

One of the most infamous examples of early 2000s CGI gone wrong is the portrayal of Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson as the Scorpion King in "The Mummy Returns." The climactic battle features a half-human, half-scorpion creature that is meant to be intimidating but instead looks jarringly unrealistic. The character’s rubbery, unconvincing appearance breaks the immersion, making it a textbook case of how poor CGI can undermine the entire viewing experience.

"Hulk" (2003): unconvincing protagonist

Ang Lee's "Hulk" aimed to bring the iconic green superhero to life but was met with criticism for its CGI rendition of Bruce Banner’s alter ego. The Hulk’s appearance was criticized for looking too cartoonish and lacking the necessary texture and weight, resulting in an emotional disconnect for the audience. The ambitious attempt to create a fully CGI protagonist highlighted the challenges of making such characters feel real and tangible.

Mid-2000s: ambition outpaces technology

As the decade progressed, filmmakers became bolder, but the technology had not yet fully caught up with their visions, leading to some notable CGI failures.

"The Polar Express" (2004): uncanny valley

Robert Zemeckis's "The Polar Express" was ground-breaking in its use of motion capture technology, but it inadvertently highlighted the eerie phenomenon known as the "uncanny valley." The characters, while detailed, fell into an unsettling zone between lifelike and artificial. Their glassy eyes and stiff movements were off-putting, reminding audiences that there’s a fine line between realism and the uncanny.

"I Am Legend" (2007): the darkseekers

"I Am Legend" features a post-apocalyptic New York overrun by zombie-like creatures known as Darkseekers. Despite the film's impressive environment rendering, the CGI Darkseekers were criticized for their unrealistic movements and lack of detail, which diminished their menace and the film's overall impact. This failure underscores the importance of consistent quality in all elements of CGI within a film.

Late 2000s: overreliance and misjudgment

Towards the end of the decade, an overreliance on CGI without sufficient attention to detail began to plague many films, highlighting a critical issue: CGI should enhance storytelling, not overshadow it.

"Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull" (2008): nuking the fridge

This instalment in the beloved Indiana Jones series is often remembered for its notorious "nuking the fridge" scene, where Indy survives a nuclear blast by hiding in a lead-lined refrigerator. The sequence’s over-the-top CGI effects were widely mocked and detracted from the film's adventurous spirit, illustrating how excessive CGI can sometimes lead to ridicule rather than awe.

2010s: learning curve and new missteps

As the technology continued to evolve, so too did the complexity of CGI in films. However, not all attempts met with success, and some high-profile projects became cautionary tales.

"Green Lantern" (2011): costume catastrophe

"Green Lantern," starring Ryan Reynolds, suffered from a CGI costume that looked glaringly out of place. The glowing, overly smooth suit failed to blend naturally with the live-action elements, highlighting the importance of integrating CGI seamlessly with practical effects. The visual discordance contributed to the film’s poor reception and remains a lesson in the dangers of over-relying on CGI for elements that could be achieved practically.

"The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn—Part 2" (2012): CGI baby

The CGI baby Renesmee in "The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn – Part 2" became an unexpected point of criticism. The baby’s unnaturally smooth and doll-like appearance was a distraction, drawing viewers out of the narrative. This example shows that sometimes practical effects or animatronics can be more effective than CGI, especially for intimate, emotive scenes.

"The Hobbit" Trilogy (2012-2014): overuse of CGI

Peter Jackson's "The Hobbit" trilogy faced criticism for its heavy reliance on CGI, which many felt detracted from the story's grounded fantasy roots. Unlike "The Lord of the Rings" trilogy, which balanced practical effects with CGI, "The Hobbit" featured an abundance of digital environments and characters that often felt artificial. The overuse of CGI in these films exemplifies how an excess of digital effects can undermine the immersive quality that practical effects often provide.

"Justice League" (2017): the mustache debacle

One of the most talked-about CGI failures in recent years is the digital removal of Henry Cavill's moustache in "Justice League." Due to contractual obligations with another film, Cavill was unable to shave his moustache, necessitating its removal in post-production. The result was a series of scenes where Superman's upper lip appeared disturbingly unnatural, drawing the audience's attention away from the narrative and towards the glaring CGI error. This incident highlights how even small CGI tasks can have a disproportionately negative impact if not executed perfectly.

"Cats" (2019): the feline fiasco

Perhaps the most notorious CGI disaster in recent memory is the adaptation of the musical "Cats." The decision to use CGI to create the anthropomorphic cat characters resulted in a bizarre, unsettling visual experience. The characters’ fur textures, facial expressions, and body proportions were widely criticized, leading to a negative reception that overshadowed the film’s musical and narrative elements. "Cats" serves as a stark reminder that the best CGI must respect the boundaries of the audience’s suspension of disbelief.

"The Lion King" (2019): emotionless realism

The 2019 remake of "The Lion King" aimed for hyper-realistic CGI animals, but in doing so, it lost much of the emotional expressiveness that made the original animated film beloved. The animals, while visually stunning, appeared emotionally flat, making it difficult for audiences to connect with their struggles and triumphs. This example underscores the importance of balancing realism with the ability to convey emotion, especially in stories centred on character-driven narratives.

2020s: contemporary challenges

As we enter the 2020s, CGI continues to be a double-edged sword in cinema, with some films showcasing its wonders and others falling victim to its pitfalls.

"Wonder Woman 1984" (2020): unconvincing action

"Wonder Woman 1984" had several moments where CGI was used to create dynamic action scenes. Unfortunately, some of these sequences, particularly the scenes involving Cheetah, were criticized for their lack of realism and fluidity. The CGI battles were often described as weightless and cartoonish, detracting from the overall impact of the film. This serves as a reminder that action sequences, in particular, require meticulously crafted CGI to maintain audience engagement.

“She-Hulk” (2022): Marvel becoming overly ambitious

The CGI in the Marvel series "She-Hulk" faced widespread criticism for its inconsistent quality and unrealistic rendering. Many viewers noted that the character's movements and facial expressions appeared unnatural, often resembling a video game rather than a live-action series. The visual effects fell short, especially compared to Marvel's usual high standards, leading to frequent distractions from the storyline. The uneven CGI undermined the show's potential, leaving fans disappointed and detracting from the overall viewing experience. This criticism highlighted the importance of seamless visual effects in maintaining the believability and immersion of superhero narratives.

Lessons learned and future directions

While CGI has undoubtedly transformed cinema, the numerous examples of its poor execution offer valuable lessons for the industry moving forward.

  1. The importance of practical effects: one of the key lessons from the past two decades is the enduring value of practical effects. Films that successfully blend practical and digital effects tend to create more believable and immersive worlds. Directors like Christopher Nolan and Guillermo del Toro have often been praised for their judicious use of CGI, complementing rather than overshadowing practical effects.
  2. Quality over quantity: the overuse of CGI can detract from a film's authenticity. Filmmakers should focus on using CGI to enhance specific elements rather than relying on it to carry entire scenes or characters. Ensuring high-quality, detailed, and contextually appropriate CGI can prevent the immersion-breaking experiences that have plagued some films.
  3. Attention to detail: even minor CGI elements can significantly impact a film's reception. As seen with "Justice League" and "Wonder Woman 1984," small details can become major distractions if not handled with precision. Filmmakers must prioritize attention to detail in every aspect of CGI to maintain audience engagement.
  4. Emotional resonance: the success of CGI characters often hinges on their ability to convey emotion convincingly. Films like "The Lion King" (2019) illustrate the risk of prioritizing realism over emotional expressiveness. Future CGI efforts should strive to maintain a balance that allows characters to resonate emotionally with audiences.

Conclusion

From the early 2000s to the present day, the journey of CGI in cinema has been marked by remarkable achievements and significant missteps. The examples discussed across both parts of this article highlight that while CGI has the power to elevate storytelling, it also has the potential to detract from it if not executed thoughtfully. The future of CGI in cinema will likely depend on a careful balance of technological innovation and creative restraint, ensuring that the art of storytelling remains at the forefront. By learning from past mistakes and building on successful strategies, filmmakers can continue to harness the power of CGI to create compelling, immersive cinematic experiences.