Dpipes’s Weblog

Ch 8 Lab November 30, 2007

Use of Digital Special Effects

The first movie that comes to my mind when I think of favorite special effects is The Lord of the Rings (and the others in the trilogy). Let’s face it, these movies are nothing short of incredible. The teams of people that created this trilogy were able to capture the most unique and minutest details of J. R. R. Tolkein’s imagination. The digital effects used in this movie paved the way for the fabrication of jaw-dropping landscapes, terrifying monsters, and unbelievable battles. While I won’t say that the digital effects made the movie, I will say that it would have been impossible to fully capture the scale and wonder that Tolkein was shooting for when he dreamed up this spectacular world.

I believe some of the most notable scenes that demonstrate the power and intensity of the digital effects are the kracken attack, the cave troll battle in Moria, the Balrog, arrival at Rivendel, the march of the Ents, the ranger ambush of the Northmen, the battle for Helm’s Deep, the spider attack, and the battle for Minas Tirith.

The digital effects add a dimension to the movie that would be virtually impossible to achieve otherwise. The overwhelming detail of the lands in the story that do not come close to anything in our real world. The digital effects really bring the characters, the animals, and the lands to life. The best part is, not only are these things made possible, but they are made believable. Combine that with the great on-location filming and the inspired directing of Peter Jackson, you have yourself an extremely rich and detailed compilation that is an instant legend. 

Here is my attempt to photoshop something. Blah…