Definitive Films: Special Effects

UPDATE: One of the greatest films ever made...easily. 2001: A Space Odyssey is the ultimate film of hypothesis and the ultimate example of how meaning can be so much more impacting through imagery, rather than words.

Open your mind to individual interpretation, because this film can be seen in many different lights.

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A groundbreaking film on all accounts, 2001: A Space Odyssey is an audio and visual delight as we delve into the unknown. 2001 is a film that gives insight into our past, our future, our bodies, and our minds, and through this there are many questions asked about our ourselves, our existence, and our future. Stanley Kubrick proves with this that he is one of the greatest directors to grace the screen and this is achieved through his sheer brilliance in creating extraordinary feats of visual flair and ideas. While the story for 2001 may be faded at points, we are still given a clear and thorough examination of a very possible future (though far beyond the year of 2001). This is a film that utilizes symbolism and musical composition perfectly in what makes for an experience much more than simple cinema - instead we are treated to moving art in the three stages that this film takes us on with each camera shot holding it's own meaning and artistic impression. This is also a film that conveys the human notion of curiosity and the ramifications, both good and bad, that this aspect of our nature can bring (evident in both HAL and the apes). Essentially, 2001 is a film that is open to interpretation, it's conclusion is as compelling as it is controversial, and through this the film holds more meaning (as confusing as this meaning may become). If you want an example of visual cinema at it's finest, look no further than 2001.

From looking at this film it becomes clear that it achieved the improbable - it is better than the first.

One of the few films to truly shape the cinema industry in its entirety.

Innovative, stimulating, and highly intrinsic, Fritz Lang's Metropolis is one of the most visually inspired creations to enter cinema and proves to have acted as a benefactor in cinema's progression. While it's social implications are steadily becoming more identifiable through it's generalised ideals, it nevertheless manages to stimulate us through it's tight knit framework of the city life in an evolving community.

Michael Bay may not be much of a story teller, but he does know how to get the heart pumping and adrenaline flowing through entertainment chocked cinema, and his latest offering - Transformers - is no different. Through the seamless integration of humour and action, Bay has transformed an unlikely pleasure into a bonafide hit. From typical film standards, Transformers fails abysmally, but for those without the expectations of a miracle, Transformers achieves everything it sets out to.

In many ways, this film could be considered the mega-blockbuster of a very Hollywood dominated year of cinema. Transformers encompasses action, explosions, jokes, hot bodies, and about as much depth as a wading pool. However, to put anything but this into the film would have only served as a hindrance. There is a seriously lacking story, made no easier by a ridiculous premise to begin with, and on these merits the film's nonsensical nature turns into an affair that will leave moments of bewilderment and critical dismissiveness. But once more the bases of entertainment hit further than analysis can delve as the story rusts are given constant oil changes through the form of action, laughs, and more action.

In a sequel dominated year of flashy effects and amped up visuals catered through enormous budgets, Transformers is a film that will likely take the prize of being the most visually inspiring film of the crop. Aesthetically, the film is near groundbreaking through sumptuous effects that will prove to leave the competition trailing behind. And the filmmakers are aware of this exterior splendour as they fill the massive 140 minute run-time with as many explosions and metal crunching robot fights as they can.

Though the film can become quite tiring at points through elongated scenes that often overstay their welcome, Transformers remains testament to the notion of cinema catering for the smile; but of course, the makers will be expecting plenty of dollars back as well.

One of Spielberg's many crowning achievements. Jurassic Park is one of those films that stands the test of time very well.

Undoubtedly the best film in the superhero genre. This was one of those films that, if handled incorrectly, could have ended the film franchise of this hero for a long long time, however, the brilliance in combination of Reeve and Donner makes this THE landmark to compare superhero/comic-book films to (this combination even makes up for the ridiculous portrayal of Luthor played by Hackman). Casting by Richard Donner in this film is mixed but his direction is superb. Christopher Reeve is the epitome of Superman and gives this role perfect justice for what was needed, his portrayal even becomes so good at points that the audience can actually find realism in the different persona's of Clark Kent and Superman. Casting on Lois' part was also done nicely with Margot Kidder giving the flair that was needed, however, the casting of Gene Hackman can be considered as incorrect, with a performance that is never menacing enough (although this may be the fault of the scriptwriter.) Speaking of scripts, Mario Puzo, writer of the Godfather, has done a great job with this story which adds humanity and vulnerability to the most hardened and indestructible being there is and the story progression allows each character to shine at points. Ultimately, Superman: The Movie is the prime example of what comic books into movies should be and (arguably next to Batman Begins) is the prime example of superhero films, period.

The classic family film and still one of the best. Lookout for a remake but don't expect it at all to top this.
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UPDATE: I severely underestimated this film. The Wizard of Oz is not only a good film, it is an exceptionally great film. This is the ultimate example of a cinematic classic as it's themes remain as strong as ever in a tightknit story that brings forth the true connotations of charm and wit. The screenplay is sharp, and we are given an insight into our dreams and nightmares, our surreal fantasies and harsh realities, and through a near flawless execution in a richly expensive production, The Wizard of Oz is one of the true greats of all time. The main reason for the film's greatness lay not in it's smart writing, nor it's direction or gallivanting performances, but rather for it's universal appeal where it is able to morph past it's childhood status and into a timeless movie to be enjoyed by all.

In a rare brooding film from Steven Spielberg, Saving Private Ryan proves to be one of the best films in this master director's illustrious career. This is a film that has a very simple premise, with very simple characters, but through some excellent performances, strong direction, elaborate sets, and swift camerawork we are given a film to marvel at (and a film that rightfully gave Spielberg his Oscar). The action sequences of this film are some of the most violently realistic and perspective shakening pieces of film to ever make the cut into this genre and it is because of this realism infused into the film that we are given a true insight into the grisly nature of war, but also of the comradery shared by the trekkers. Through their journey, and through the fine performances (Hanks, Pepper, Ribisi, Davies and the support), we learn to care for these characters and care for what war means. This is just an excellently done film, I'm still shaking from the outcome of it so I seem to be rambling a little, but nevertheless this is one of the most poignant entries into the war genre.

Ridley Scott creates a brilliant, brooding, and horrific film that has ages in some aspects, but continues to strike chords the same as it did decades ago. Alien is a film that combines Science-Fiction with Horror and pulls the bold manouver off brilliantly. While the first third of the film is very slow paced and unmotivating, it becomes clear that Scott used this for three reasons - to introduce us to the characters and make us feel more attached to them, to begin the ominous slide into the swift thrills to follow, and to establish the story that will evolve into the genre bending film that lay before us. I mentioned some aspects have been dated, and that comes through the costuming and thrill factor. Due to many other quick paced films of today, Alien starts to lose it's sense of dread, and the costuming of the creature is an obvious fall through the years (though, both of these are elements that could not have been remedied). This is a purely brilliant film that has only lost aspects due to time and the fact that while Scott dedicates a large portion of the film to estalishing the characters, he never really gives us an insight into the creature, instead just treating us to a stalking. killing machine (which is not bad in some books).

A science fiction masterpiece created by Ridley Scott here and worthy of it's accolade for being known as one of the greatest science-fiction films of all time. There is a startling look at the future in this film interpretation of possible proceedings with much of what is in the society of this film slowly coming into fruition of the society of today. Harrison Ford was in his glory days when he did this film and it shows, he is great, but the real star of the piece is Rutger Hauer; who's bone-chilling replicant character has the paradoxic nature of being able to connect with the audience. The tagline for these replicants is 'more human than human' and much of the film delves into this aspect and makes it believable, and with the help of quality performances by all involved this aspect beomes realised. A real winner for this film is it's cinematography and subtle inclusions of symbolism, such as bonsai trees to signify man's hold on nature, which encompasses everything in the film and truly shows the audience that Scott was on the top of his game when creating this film. This is a near perfect film, the only gripe I have in the production is that it contains a slightly jumbled pacing (but, looking inside the piece this may actually convey the dispatched people of this society and the depression that looms overhead). Thoroughly recommended.

What a great movie, can't help but love Tom Hanks' character in this film that gives fame to the most unlikeliest of people.

Filmed in Australia, Babe is a film that has a lot of heart and uses it's formula very well to appeal to the audience. The narration, camerawork, and of course the story are all unique, moving, and most of all entertaining.