Somebad moviesjust can’t be saved by great effects.Whether it’s CGI or practical, visual effects are considered good when they are compelling, realistic, or are simply eye-catching.
Plenty ofterrible movieshave brilliant effects. However, this doesn’t make up for a lack of creative storytelling, intriguing characters, or logic. Even if a film’s appearance is stellar, it doesn’t always convince audiences that it’s a worthwhile watch.
10Transformers: Age Of Extinction (2014)
Transformers: Age of Extinctionhas some amazing cinematography. For example, several scenes that feature stretching landscapes are beautiful, and the ones that also include Autobots are even more impressive. The insertion of large-scale robots in picturesque shots is well done and looks relatively natural.
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However, the film lacks in characterization.Figures like Tessa and Shane are quite one-dimensionaland aren’t developed any further than their initial archetypes. There is a lack of past characters, too, and so the movie misses an opportunity to include moreTransformersbackstoryfrom the past installments.
9The Matrix Resurrections (2021)
The Matrix Resurrections’visual effects are fascinating, especially the color grading, which impacts the film’s overall tone. It upgrades its bullet time shots from the previousMatrixmovies, although it doesn’t compare to the original. The scene where Neo wakes up highlights how detailed its set design is, with some great sci-fi imagery.
There are multipleharsh realities ofThe Matrix Resurrections, though.The story is disjointed and underdeveloped,and while some parts have potential, they aren’t fleshed out enough. The action scenes are well-framed, but the content is quite lackluster and isn’t as exciting as in past titles.
8The Void (2016)
Canadian monster movieThe Voidis often praised for its use of practical effects, which resembles trends from the ‘70s and ‘80s but with a modern application. For example, it’s incredibly gory when Nurse Beverly stabs her patient in the eyes, but it’s even more terrifying when she turns around to show her peeling face.
The cast performances aren’t the strongest inThe Void,although the poorly written script doesn’t help them, either. The plot pacing is slow, and the payoff is anticlimactic, which is a shame for amovie with Lovecraftian influences.
7The Cell (2000)
The Celllooks like art, which makes sense, considering that real works inspire several scenes. Moments like Carl’s torture establish a particular aesthetic, and this art-house style is an intriguing choice for apsychological horror movie. The set design and costuming are especially strong, too.
The Cellis let down by its casting. While the likes of Vince Vaughn and Jennifer Lopez aren’t terrible, they’re not a great fit for this type of film. There is a lack of plot, and if anything,it feels likeThe Cellwas only created for artistic purposes rather than cinematic.
6TRON: Legacy (2010)
Opinions onTRON: Legacy’s effects are divided, but they’re generally solid. The Light Cycle racing scene is especially good, and the technological lighting and cinematography encapsulate the charm of the original film amazingly. The product design is fantastic, but this sadly overshadows other important factors.
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Reviews ofTRON: Legacyare mixed and still widely debated to this day. However,one common consensus is that the characters are hard to connect with,except for Michael Sheen’s Castor. The storyline is also considered to be too action-heavy, and it misses many chances for proper human interactions.
5Sucker Punch (2011)
Zack Snyder’sSucker Punchis frequently celebrated for its fantastical sequences and fight scenes. The cinematography makes these moments even more tense and exciting inall three versions ofSucker Punch, but the visuals don’t make up for the film’s clichés.
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The depiction of women borders on misogynistic at times, anddespite having a convoluted storyline, the execution is rather boring.Babydoll crosses paths with dragons, orcs, and even WWI soldiers, but her journey of self-empowerment is monotonous. However, many findSucker Puncha guilty pleasure watch despite this.
4Passengers (2016)
Chris Pratt and Jennifer Lawrence’s moviePassengersuses some fabulous CGI to depict Earth’s atmosphere and the echoing endlessness of space. Jim waking up on the Avalon fantastically highlights the great quality of the set design, especially. The film is undoubtedly a spectacle, but there are some let-downs, unfortunately.
Pratt and Lawrence’s chemistry could be better.Their romance progresses weirdly at times, and when they appear together on-screen, it feels like the film’s pacing comes to an abrupt stop. Plus,Passengers’ controversial endingis disappointing, feels rushed, and ignores important details.
310,000 BC (2008)
TheRoland Emmerich movie10,000 BCbreathtakingly brings mammoths to life, but the beautiful depiction of the extinct animal is its only positive feature. Unfortunately,10,000 BCforgets to focus on things like historical accuracy, story coherency, and even basic logic.
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The idea that humans are training animals to build pyramids is wild and overly far-fetched,which takes away from the movie’s attempt at a dramatic tone. The two main characters are barely formed, too; Evolet’s only noticeable quality is that she has blue eyes, and D’Leh’s dialogue is cringey.
2Cool As Ice (1991)
Nobody has ever expectedCool as Iceto be a masterpiece, but the work ofSchindler’s ListandSaving Private Ryancinematographer Janusz Kamiński is unexpected. Johnny and Kathy’s kiss on the construction site is beautiful, especially when the camera pans around and showcases the incredible landscape behind them.
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Cool as Iceis pure cheese. There are too many montages, which makes the story convoluted, andVanilla Ice’s performance proves that he should stick to rapping.The film is unintentionally funny, but mainly because audiences are laughing through the pain.
1The Golden Compass (2007)
The Golden Compassdoes an excellent job of recreating Philip Pullman’s magical worlds for the silver screen, and it’s deserving of its Oscar for Best Visual Effects. The bear fight scene specifically demonstrates how powerful its CGI is, and the animals are very realistic.
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Despite a huge budget and star-studded cast,The Golden Compassfails to follow its source material correctly.The first title’s tragic climax is nowhere to be seen, one of the several major events that are missing. However, the moments that are replicated fromPhilip Pullman’s booksare badly paced and rushed.
