Darth Vile
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Henry W Jones said:I would like to think a young George and Steven would only use CGI when necessary but ...... Technology = Safety, Technology = Easy. The snakes would probably be done with CGI. The truck scene would probably look like the truck scene in KOTCS and that = fake looking. As we have seen with Star Wars Lucas can't stop adding digital crap to the movies and with CGI Lucas goes overboard as to what is believable that he puts in his films now. Problem with answering this question is it is hard to tell of Lucas puts monkeys swinging from vines with the hero because he's lost his sense of reality over the years or because its easily possible to do. But since he has added a bit of stuff to the SW trilogy that could have been done when originally shot, (Vaders noooo and Greedo shooting first) tells me his views on movie making have changed. Once again I would like think that they would make the same movie but CGI is very seductive so its a tough call. PS Stoo, I appropriate the thread. This time you were being helpful. Thanks
I really don’t agree with your equation of “Technology = Safety. Technology = Easy”. I would never say that the original Star Wars and Indiana Jones movies were safe or easy based on the use of technology. They were all big lavish effects movie (even Raiders – although it doesn’t particularly look like one now). You couldn’t do the Ark reveal, mine cart chase or rope bridge sequence without lots of effects (both then and now). So what’s the answer? To never have the imagination to realise those sequences at all - just because they can’t be achieved practically? It’s really about how technology and effects are applied, and how they are used to drive the story/sequence. Lucas and Spielberg are, and have always been, great exponents of technology. They have embraced it fully and equally over the years.
I don’t particularly like the Mutt fencing and vine swinging scenes (in fact I don’t like them at all). However… 1) I’m not sure whether they were Lucas’s idea or Spielberg’s (Spielberg was the director after all, and already discussed, he doesn’t hold back from using CGI in his movies). 2) I think there was some obligation on Spielberg’s/Lucas’s part to make the action sequences feel a bit ‘modern’, just as they were ‘modern’ in the originals. Personally speaking, I think the application of 21st century technology is not an issue; it’s just that they applied it (in this instance) to the wrong thing. I think the whole jungle sequence (which is largely practical) would be much better if they just cut/stripped back the fencing and vine sequence. In that sense, you could argue it’s more an editing issue… The following sequence… ‘Ants!’ is a great example of effects servicing the sequence and the CGI being proportionate to the concept (IMHO). All effects sequences are prone to be hit and miss (look at the originals).
Re. Lucas’ sense of reality. I certainly don’t think he’s lost it (or no more than any other rich and influential movie maker); it’s more to do with the fact that he has the power to make those changes 20/30 years after the event. Most filmmakers don’t have that power. One could argue that Lucas is obsessed with the changes… but I’d argue he’s much more savvy than that. I don’t doubt he wants to make the movie as perfect as he imagines them in his own mind, but more that that… Star Wars is an industry… it’s almost like its own genre now (like Disney). Lucas seems to have a great skill at keeping the Star Wars movies, and other Star Wars products, relevant. Making changes, updating to new formats is just part of that process. What are toy stores full of? Star Wars or Indiana Jones merchandise? It’s all part of keeping the iconography alive… it’s all part of Star Wars not just as a movie, but as popular culture.
Very good point Montana. The mine cart chase, is probably more dependant on the technology/effects than any other big sequence in any Indy movie. I don’t, and never have, like the actual realisation of the mine cart sequence in TOD. The effects are decidedly dodgy in many places (and they were in the 80’s). However, from a movie making perspective, one could argue that it’s still a brilliantly brave and imaginative concept… and as such it’s a valid and credible effort at making a cinematic chase sequence stand out/original – and I’d have to agree with that.Montana Smith said:Would they have put the mine cart chase into the film?