There is always much to discuss when analyzing the state of the film industry today. On one hand, sequels, remakes and Disney properties have a chokehold on theaters that is causing a depressing lack of blockbuster creativity. On the other hand, with the rise of acclaimed indie studio A24, many films which normally would have been off the beaten path have been able to get the recognition they deserve. In this era of cash grabs versus genuine art, the topic of whether practical effects, which is the usage of physical props and techniques in film, even have their place anymore is one that rarely gets brought up. Which is an absolute travesty, considering how much there is to gain from favoring props and prosthetics over CGI.
Every film creator has their own unique style and flavor pallet, and while there isn’t much use for practical effects in many live action films that are grounded in reality, others like fantasy, sci-fi and any other film subgenre need to stop relying so heavily on the usage of CGI. Practical effects may have been a thing of the past, but what they offer is timeless.
It is a unique tactile experience that can not only wonderfully impact the actor’s performance, but carry over to the audience which leaves them with shots and scenes that will stay in their minds for as long as they live. Films such as “The Thing,” “Alien,” “Star Wars” and “The Exorcist” have had immense cultural staying power. Not only is this due to the amazing storytelling and production, but also due to their use of using what they had to make these worlds physically come to life. While these films used practical effects out of necessity, they did so with a craft and care that can only be akin to a Van Gogh hanging in the Louvre, and it shows.
When overused, which is the only word Hollywood seems to know these days, CGI makes films look lifeless, hollow lacking the spark that once made moviemaking so special. This is why practical effects need to be on the forefront of Hollywood’s latest comeback and sequel schemes, not another “Fast and Furious.”
