Many movies nowadays use computer generated imagery instead of practical effects.
Practical effects are highly risky but you get amazing results if you implement them well.
These are some of the finest uses of practical effects in well-known movies.
Oppenheimer (2023) – The Trinity Test
Christopher Nolan ignores CGI in his movies and focuses on practical effects.
His latest movie Oppenheimer is no exception.
This was one of Nolan’s toughest assignments especially the scene when they tested the atomic bomb.
To create the explosion, the VFX team used gasoline, propane, black and aluminum powder and magnesium flares.
It was so accurate that everyone thought it was an actual nuclear bomb set off.
However, it was just Petrol.
Star Wars (1977) – Death Star Attack
A groundbreaking movie, the movie that started the Star Wars saga features unreal effects.
Handmade props, costumes, sets and its action sequences were all never before seen at that time.
The Death Star sequence towards the climax culminates in a flawless and thrilling finale.
Jurassic Park (1993)- The Dinosaurs
One of Spielberg’s signature blockbusters, Jurassic Park was also a classic for its practical effects on dinosaurs.
They were all puppets or people dressed in dinosaur suits or parts of the body including the massively iconic T-Rex.
The Lord of the Rings Trilogy (2001-2003)- The Hobbits’ heights
This epic trilogy mixes endless CG and VFX effects but uses practical effects at its simplest ideas.
The director of all three movies Peter Jackson used force perspective to give the four hobbits the ideal height.
Force perspective is when someone puts one person close to the camera whilst the other is far away.
Mad Max Fury Road (2015)- Every action sequence
The fourth Mad Max movie is widely considered the finest in the franchise thanks to its use of only practical effects.
George Miller, the director, used as many of these effects as he could to film the beautiful chaos on camera.
CGI is nowhere to be seen in these sequences which involve car chases, explosions and death-defying stunt work.
1917 (2019) – The Night Window
This WW2 movie is immersive, authentic and non-stop, filmed in one take, combining practical and visual effects.
One of the most impressive practical effects uses is the Night Window sequence.
Lance Corporal Schofield the main character, runs through a burning city from enemy forces at night.
Flares lit up the set and were timed depending on the shot length to keep them flowing.
The French Dispatch (2021) – The Miniature Sets
Wes Anderson is an instantaneously recognisable director when it comes to originality with his directing style.
One of his styles is miniature sets with The French Dispatch featuring over 130 such as interior vehicles and cityscapes.
Anderson also used painted backdrops when shooting in real locations, creating a charming atmosphere.
Top Gun Maverick (2022) – The Aerial Dogfights
The aerial action set pieces in Top Gun’s sequel were one of the biggest reasons for its success.
The process was far from easy as Tom Cruise and the rest of the actors had to endure through a brutal three month Navy boot camp.
Multiple camera and navy experts had to place the cameras inside and outside the jets to capture the stunning footage.
What is your favourite use of practical effects in a movie? DM us and let us know what you think!
