CGI and the Adventure Film

This year, to much fanfare, Indiana Jones 4 was released. One of things that received immediate backlash was the replacement of traditional optical effects with modern CGI. What’s ironic is that ILM basically invented the widespread use and advancement of modern special effects, including CGI techniques. One would expect computer generated effects to be the natural evolution of what was used in the original Indiana Jones films, and would thus be embraced. Instead, it was met with lukewarm and sometimes bitter feelings. Why?

When I watch the original movies, even though the optical composition and animation is obvious, it has a certain endearing charm. It’s one reason why I prefer old movies to modern; what is real, such as model work, just has a weight, a substance to it. The CGI in Indy 4, for all intents and purposes, is only supposed to be a modern equivalent. I liked the movie, and for the most part, the CGI didn’t bother me. The cinematography did much more harm to the film’s effects, in my opinion. Nevertheless, the CGI lacks the impact and realism of the model work and compositing of the originals, at least to me.

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