New ILM VFX Reel From Star Wars: The Force Awakens

ILM

While director J.J. Abrams was adamant in the use of old-school practical effects and puppets in “Star Wars: The Force Awakens,” the blockbuster  film still used more computer-generated effects than even Star Wars: Episode I. However, what sold fans this time around was the character animation and the photo-realistic visual effects. Check out this sample of the visual effects work that went into ‘The Force Awakens’ in this all-new ILM video.

 

 

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From ILMVisualFX:

 

We are pleased to share a sample of the visual effects work created for Star Wars: The Force Awakens. The history of ILM leads all the way back to 1975 and origins of Star Wars and The Force Awakens gave us the opportunity to once again push the boundaries of what is possible in character animation and visual effects while combining cutting edge practical effects and physical sets. ILM studios in San Francisco, Singapore, Vancouver and London each contributed to the film effects as did our partners Hybride, Base FX and Virtuos.

 

Check out this awesome NEW video below!

May the Force be with you…… Always!

 

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+ posts

210 thoughts on “New ILM VFX Reel From Star Wars: The Force Awakens

  • September 6, 2016 at 11:33 pm
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    I think it’s hilarious that during marketing they(JJ) were boasting so much about all of their practical effects and real sets. But in reality TFA used just as much if not, even more CGI than the Prequels did.

    Not that I have anything against CGI, I love it.
    Because it creates opportunities to explore environments you otherwise wouldn’t have been able to.
    That’s why I think it’s such a shame they didn’t do more exciting stuff with the CGI in TFA.

    • September 7, 2016 at 12:17 am
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      One thing you can say about Lucas is that he would have given us new enviroments, planets, ships, ect. instead of just recycling TIEs and X-wings and basically re-doing Tattooine but calling it Jakku. I miss the creativity and effort Lucas put into the movies. I wish the Sequels would go just a little further and really make an effort there like they have with character and dialogue.

      • September 7, 2016 at 12:18 am
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        Good thing there are 2 more movies coming out…

      • September 7, 2016 at 12:49 am
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        of course lucas didn’t need to “re-do” tattooine, he just went back there… three times. 😉

        • September 7, 2016 at 1:15 am
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          4 times

          • September 7, 2016 at 1:16 am
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            even better. 😉

          • September 7, 2016 at 1:28 am
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            I’d live on tattooine …but first order of business would be to take out that two-headed pod race announcer …couldn’t live on the same planet as that guy

        • September 7, 2016 at 1:24 am
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          Ex-friggin’-actly.

        • September 7, 2016 at 8:15 am
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          Better make a completeley new and original planet right? with one sun!

      • September 7, 2016 at 1:07 am
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        All of the planets in TFA are new. Why is it out of the question that more than one planet in a galaxy full of thousands of planets has a desert terrain? You know that militaries use the same ships over the course of decades, right? The navy still uses aircraft carriers launched in the 1970s. Jets look more or less the same as they did in the 80s. So why can’t Tie Fighters and X-Wings still be in use 30 years after Return of the Jedi?

        • September 7, 2016 at 1:21 am
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          the tech difference between the PT and OT is more jarring to me than the lack of a difference between the OT and the ST.

          • September 7, 2016 at 1:54 am
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            it’s not tech so much as where. The rich people vs the poor.

          • September 7, 2016 at 2:02 am
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            hello again, my friend. 😉

        • September 7, 2016 at 4:58 am
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          It probably makes no sense because there are cooler and more futuristic things seen in Rogue One. And the Empire doesn’t exist anymore (so I”ve heard) it’s now the First Order, which you would think would use new equipment.

          • September 7, 2016 at 8:00 am
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            The huge tech difference between the PT and the OT and the ST mostly makes sense.
            The PT was like a Reniassance period in the sw universe and the OT was more of like a Middle Ages thing. The Empire took over and had a monopoly over pretty much everything, so I would imagine there aren’t shiney chrome spaceships everywhere
            The ST has the new republic, but I would imagine things were still a work in progress and wealth had to be redistributed.
            The first order was getting their weapons and ships from old empire suppliers but they didn’t have Nearly as much as the Empire. They can’t have drastically new tech.
            But since they destroyed the new republic they will probably be far more powerful by ep 8
            I’m getting this stuff from the TFA visual dictionary FYI.
            In there it also said the first order has other storm trooper variants that haven’t been discovered outside

      • September 7, 2016 at 1:23 am
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        Effort? Like when he sat on his ass and cycled between A Cam and B Cam?

        • September 7, 2016 at 1:32 am
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          “faster, more intense.”

          • September 7, 2016 at 1:34 am
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            Sitting and talking, walking and talking, standing and talking, sitting and then standing and then walking and then sitting down again and talking.

        • September 7, 2016 at 4:57 am
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          Effort, like when he actually thought out of the box and influenced special effects for the next two decades.

          • September 7, 2016 at 5:34 am
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            A Cam. B Cam. A Cam.

            B Cam.

          • September 7, 2016 at 7:51 am
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            From my point of view the Jedi are evil!!

          • September 7, 2016 at 6:44 pm
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            Exaclty. TUD is just a troll ignore him.

          • September 8, 2016 at 3:00 am
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            “He has a different opinion, therefore he’s a troll!!

            Internet culture at its finest.

          • September 9, 2016 at 6:49 am
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            Theres an opinion and then theres trolling.

          • September 10, 2016 at 4:47 am
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            And you seem to be ignorant of the difference.

          • September 10, 2016 at 9:57 pm
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            Says the one doing the trolling

          • September 11, 2016 at 4:55 am
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            You shouldn’t talk about yourself in the third person.

            badum tss

          • September 12, 2016 at 3:34 am
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            Whats next? I know you are but what am i? Lol.

          • September 12, 2016 at 6:26 am
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            Yes.

      • September 7, 2016 at 4:55 am
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        I wish Disney would show the same level of innovation with Lucasfilm as they do with other films like their own “Jungle Book.” I watched the Jungle Book DVD extras and they were pushing the limits of CGI to stunning results. And I thought: “who do these guys remind me of?” Then I realized: “Oh yes, Lucasfilm when it was run by George Lucas.”

      • September 7, 2016 at 8:28 am
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        Exactly, maybe they could give us one, just one fighter that looked different, just one! the fact that TFA have no inventive stuff is undeniable, everything you see there is very similar to what you have seen before, or based on what was created before in concept.

        That doesn’t necesary make it a bad movie, it has a lot stuff I like a lot, but what you say is true, all of it.

        Hopefully the next two will have more of that creative and inventive stuff, that Lucas put in every SW movie. I think this was made that way just for marketing purposes.

        • September 7, 2016 at 6:43 pm
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          It wont. Apparently disney is pushing for the “empire” look as that is tried and true.

          • September 8, 2016 at 12:01 am
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            So “we’re doomed…”

    • September 7, 2016 at 1:27 am
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      First, I just want to say that I like the prequels okay. But my problem with the CGI in it came with episodes II and III. Instead of having the focus of the scenes be practical locations, the actors were forced to primarily work in huge blue rooms with some blue-covered “environmental structures.” I agree that TFA has lots of CGI. But in my opinion, it’s the smart use of it that differentiates TFA from the prequels. And actually, as amazing as CGI is, there are a lot of places in nature that could be used as otherworldly environments. Glowworm caves in New Zealand, the yellow mountains in China, and the Painted Hills in Oregon are just a few examples.

      • September 7, 2016 at 9:06 am
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        I believe it has nothing to do with smart use of CGI, that technology was really new at that time, and they made an impressive work, and a lot of that technology was created for that movies, and has evolved to what you see now, if you pay atention, Lucas did a lot “imaginatve” stuff, things that you can’t see in real life, it seems more chalenging to do that, TFA use more earthlike eviroments, earthlike creatures, earthlike all, i dont want to minimize the effort of the digital artists or anybody, because is not the case, it is indeed impressive what they did, but “real” stuff has been recreated before, now is better executed that is clear, but i think is less challenging than creating something you have never seen before.

        Btw, TFA use a lot of green screens too, i don´t think they were forced, not much difference with the PT or OT, Star Wars always is a chalenge for actors, they need to imagine a lot of stuff, I think that is part of their everyday work, I’m not an actor but that’s an important part of being an actor i think.

        • September 7, 2016 at 8:24 pm
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          To compare the green screen work between episodes II & III versus TFA is bizarre to me. An entire warehouse covered in blue versus huge sets with maybe one wall of green. Of course there are going to be things they have to imagine since it’s a fantasy/sci-fi story. But honestly, not one clone trooper in the prequels was real. Not one. And in TFA, every or nearly every one was a real person in a suit. That’s what I mean by “smart” use. Smart is using CGI to supplement, not take over. If you’re making an animated cartoon, great. If you’re making a live-action movie, then make that. We could argue all day about whether George was more inventive or not. Personally, I like the ships and planets in the prequels a lot, but for aliens and world-building, I prefer TFA.

          • September 7, 2016 at 11:57 pm
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            First, I think you need to see more behind the scenes material from all movies, not just the one that pops in google when you search for “star wars prequels bluescreen” you need to see the real behind the scene material, there is a lot in youtube.

            And, how can you prefer the worlds in TFA?, i think it is because you like Hoth, Tatooine, and Endor (with snow), and Naboo too, but, with different names, ok, i liked them too, but what I didn’t like was there was no new world, a really new world, that is one of the things i like from star wars, the planets, different planets every movie, and it is true that movies repeat planets but, theres always at least one new, and when i say new a mean new and different, i think thats part of the magic from SW.

            I cant really say that planets in TFA were new, right? And who make the CGI rules, i dont think that even exist, it is a story, And you can tell it the way you consider is the best for the story. Did you see The Jungle book recently? that is all CGI, and is not a bad thing at all, it is not an animated cartoon.

            People have a weird idea that CGI is bad, and think it must be used to complement real stuff, who said that? CGI is a tool, the same as mate paintings, time ago, and the same as practical models, or sets, all are tools in a box, and you use it to tell a story in a movie.

            TFA used a lot of CGI Stormtroppers, you can see part of that in the video, and I don’t see as a bad thing that in prequels Clonetroopers were digital, i think it is a real challenge, why will be that a bad thing?, it is just the medium they use to tell that story.

            I insist there is no such thing as “smart use of CGI” in this case. If you say that because sometimes you can notice they are CGI and not real actors, ot because you have the knowledge that all were CGI, the same thing happens with the OT amd with other movies, you can notice that a lot of stuf isn’t real, but is not the ponit at all.

            Think this, OT and PT use practical models for the ships, and TFA use mostly CGI for the same area, ships, so, what was smarter?

            I will sahre a link with you, from prequels, in this article you can see pictures of Sets, and not all the other stuff they used, like miniatures sets, creatures, vehicles, etc, but you can get an idea. it is a very short article, and if you are interested, you can make your own research.

            http://furiousfanboys.com/2014/05/the-star-wars-prequels-sets-or-green-screen/

            It is always nice to talk about ST 🙂

          • September 8, 2016 at 5:12 am
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            Thank you for assuming things about me. I have watched all the behind the scenes content for episodes I, II, III, and TFA. And you misunderstood what I said, maybe on purpose. I prefer the world-BUILDING of TFA to the prequels. World-building is totally different than environments. (Which, by the way, you’ll notice I said I like the planets in the prequels.) TFA created a world that is lived in and realistic, one that I don’t have to suspend reality to believe in. The prequels are sterile and have no basis in reality. Other than “I hate sand, it gets everywhere.” I know it was at the end of the movie, but TFA did have one new world: the planet Luke was found on. I personally didn’t go to see The Jungle Book because I didn’t like the look of the CGI. I prefer movies grounded in reality. Also, you claim that TFA didn’t make practical ships, but have you not seen the behind the scenes where they made full-scale x-wings and the Millennium Falcon from scratch? Thanks for the link, I looked through it. 2 sets in episode II and 3 in episode III is supposed to impress me? Those movies had dozens of locations. I’ve done my research and I personally find the CGI use in TFA much “smarter” than in the prequels.

          • September 8, 2016 at 8:10 am
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            Clearly we like different things from SW, I like imagination, worlds that we can’t see normally, combined, of course with earth-like ones, my argumet is that TFA is not inventive, it make similar worlds that we have already seen in previows movies, and maybe in non-star wars movies too, this movie in particular lacks that imaginative enviroments, thats what i say.

            And the PT have much more to offer in that sense, in those 3 movies I see a lot of stuff I know i will only see in SW, I like that a lot. You said you prefer movies grounded on reality, but this is a fantasy film. But we can have this conversation for long and long, what I see is that we like different sides of SW, and probably We will never agree here, You like the reality side and I go more for the fantasy side, can be?

            About ships, the fighters in particular, i know they build life size ships in TFA, they have made those in every movie, what I was talking about was those that were used for action, scenes, explosions, etc. PT and OT use real models for explosions and closeups, for those scenes TFA use CGI mostly. But that is not a bad thing, I’m not against CGI or Practial, is just that people don´t really know and asume things as a fact. And again I dont think there is such thing as the “smarter” use of CGI, and if it does indeed, I think in every movie they did the smarter thing with CG o Practial they could posibly do for the story.

            The link was not to impress you, was just to ilustrate the side you are ignoring in your statements, and that in the link is just a small part, that’s why I told you to make your own research. And I don’t really like to asume, but it seems to me like you don’t really know some of the stuff you are talking, it’s the impression i get, sorry if it’s not the case, my bad.

            And go and see The Jungle Book!, it will not change you life, but its fun and the CGI is really good 🙂 It’s been nice talking to you Traci.

    • September 7, 2016 at 9:08 am
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      Exactly.

  • September 7, 2016 at 12:04 am
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    TPM still had a lot actual sets and locations, AotC is when it became more of a blue screen environment.

    • September 7, 2016 at 1:16 am
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      You mean the Lars Homestead in AOTC? Where they went back to the exact ANH locations?

      • September 7, 2016 at 1:19 am
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        yes, they had some naboo and tattooine. but coruscant, kamino and a good part of geonosis was blue screen sets(but not all, to be fair).

        • September 7, 2016 at 1:23 am
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          I am trying to think how they could accomplish that stuff. I know lots of miniatures were used on Kamino. Adam Savage worked some of them. Geonosis Arena was 10 to 15 foot model.

          • September 7, 2016 at 1:26 am
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            i’m not saying whether it was good or bad, just that it happened more in II and III than in I. didn’t know that about adam savage, though. 🙂

        • September 7, 2016 at 1:33 am
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          That’s right, not all.

          • September 7, 2016 at 1:42 am
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            hence why i added that part. 😉

          • September 7, 2016 at 4:54 am
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            The prequel trilogy also used more “practical” miniatures than the entire OT. People keep forgetting this.

          • September 7, 2016 at 5:28 am
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            k.

    • September 7, 2016 at 9:14 am
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      Actually is ROTS the Star Wars movie that has more real stuff than any other, you can read about it.

  • September 7, 2016 at 12:16 am
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    Yes, it’s all a lie. If you watch the blu-rays you will see/know how much they used models and practical effects on the prequels… everyone assumes they were all CGI. And TFA… JJ and co. lied to make everyone think there wasn’t any CGI.

    Here’s the thing, when the prequels came out that was all new… Lucas was developing that and so at times it wasn’t always 100%. Plus he used it for mostly on the characters, like Jar Jar, which everyone hated… so they blamed it on the digital effects. And then it AOTC Lucas was working on digital sets (which were basic and didn’t always have a lot of dimension and depth and felt like the characters were walking in front of a blue screen (for example, the Kamino interiors). But by ROTS Lucas and co. had that stuff down pat. Look at Mustafar for example. JJ had the benefit of working off of all their hard work. Plus, I would take Lucas’s digital sets over JJ’s uninspired, recycled locations any day.

    • September 7, 2016 at 12:17 am
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      You had me until the last sentence. B-

    • September 7, 2016 at 1:00 am
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      When did Abrams ever say there would be no CGI on The Force Awakens? In fact, he said just the opposite:

      “There are obviously an enormous amount of CG effects in the film, and I can’t wait for you to see the combination,” he added. “But it was very important … that the film have a tangible, sort of authentic quality that you believed that these things were actually happening in a real space with real sunlight – if it was an exterior scene – or [that] we could build a big portion of a scene and not have anything be blue screen …” – J.J. Abrams, Feb. 2015.

      Revenge of the Sith looks way too video gamey. The digital sets and digital troopers stand out badly and do not age well. Nothing about them are convincing in the least.

    • September 7, 2016 at 1:47 am
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      Not sure how to respond.. but i will say this. there wasn’t a single real clone trooper costume in the PT. Ep 1 had some awesome awesome practical effects, it was just drowned out by the late 90s CGI.

      TFA had TONS of practical effects. if you are going by the video above.. well.. don’t lol. that is to show the CGI. The fact that we got Storm Troopers, real LED sabers for realistic lighting, and that Chewie, the robot outside Maz’s castle (not to mention like 95% of the bar) were practical is amazing. Same with the saber fight and the real troopers.

      • September 7, 2016 at 5:00 am
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        I’m pretty sure 95% of the bar scene in AOTC was real too.

        • September 7, 2016 at 7:39 am
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          no doubt….. but then cut forward to the Diner <.<

          • September 7, 2016 at 6:29 pm
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            The set was practical

      • September 7, 2016 at 6:30 pm
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        Clone troopers looked amazing. Didnt really hear much criticism about them. They also didnt act as “silly” as the battle droids

          • September 12, 2016 at 5:39 am
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            I expected something more with that photo. It really doesnt prove your point. Anyway i agree on the episode 2 helmets but yhe episode 3 helmets are seriously bada$$. The episode 2 helmets get a pass because they had to tie into the jango fett t-visor helmet.

            As for why going cg lucas has always been about pushing and using the latest technology. Also, he was wanting to deal with hundreds of soldiers… Clones at that… So he had really no other choice from a practical and financial standpoint. And clearly he got to a point where he felt he didnt even need to make one single real costume. I remember him saying how much he was looking forward to being able to do that during the making of the PT. further the precisent had been set by the battle droids from episode 1.
            Look, if theres one thing almost everyone likes from the PT ( or at least doesnt whine about like a little baby) is the clones and the clone troopers.

          • September 12, 2016 at 5:58 am
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            https://youtu.be/_CMKRboU1ls?t=1m48s

            I’m just saying i value the use of practical effects, and i don’t appreciate CGI for the sake of CGI. That is one of the things that made me not like Jurassic World as much as i wanted to. The first shot of the I-Rex hatching…. was CGI. that should have been an animatronic puppet, 100%.

          • September 12, 2016 at 6:15 am
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            Thats fine, but it puts a bias in your comments discussing the use of cgi then. To not like something simply because its cgi? For example the cgi dinosaur hatching in jurrasic world… It was fine and to be honest looked more real than the puppet they had in the original jurassic park. Look at the eyes for example. Clearly they could have gone with a puppet but they made the decision to go with cgi and in that case it was the right call.

          • September 12, 2016 at 6:51 am
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            They hatching scene was something they should have done with animatronics. i just re-watched it, and i’m sorry… but it just doesn’t look real. You can’t compare that to the raptor hatching from JP1….. i’m sorry 😛 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WTSHJNfBq54

          • September 12, 2016 at 7:25 pm
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            The hand movement look and the depth looks a bit off if you point it out, but the original looks too stiff and the skin looks fake. Again, matter of opinion. I think if the filmmakers thought the animatronic would have looked better they would have used it. They used them in Jurassic World.

          • September 12, 2016 at 6:42 am
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            However, i I am curious as to why those 2 TIE pilots in TFA hangar bay are CGI.

            there is one scene where Kylo Ren’s mask is CGI, but that was due to them wanting his face reveal later, so they retroactively added the helmet. That i understand.

          • September 12, 2016 at 7:27 pm
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            What 2 pilots?

            Also, they put Kylo’s lighsaber in when he stabs Han Solo… there was nothing in his hands on set.

          • September 13, 2016 at 2:09 am
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            The two TIE pilots walking towards Finn and Poe as they are trying to get to the TIE fighter. I am guessing they shot, and then wanted to fill up the hangar some more in post.

            I know the blade wasn’t there, but no hilt either? Interesting.

    • September 7, 2016 at 1:53 am
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      The CGI was never the issue.

      • September 7, 2016 at 6:28 pm
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        It was for a lot of critics.

        • September 7, 2016 at 6:53 pm
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          Do you mean “Critics” in the professional sense or just people who didn’t like the movie?

          And even for them, they miss the point. CGI is in a ton of movies and no one complains. It’s when it overwhelms the story that it is an issue. Which happened with some of the PT.

          Those movies had more issues than just CGI. So anyone complaining about that as the main issue is someone whose opinion is not one I care to hear.

  • September 7, 2016 at 12:54 am
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    Would love to swing the fuck outta those prop lightsabers..

    • September 7, 2016 at 1:41 am
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      i built my own 😉 (correction.. i built it for my nephew. I’m building myself one this Fall because im having withdraws. He lives out of state lol)

      Also… i wish the ‘inside the armory’, or whatever the prop special feature from the Target Bluray, went more in depth on the LED prop sabers….

      https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Des7QANnrhs

      • September 7, 2016 at 2:02 am
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        That’s awesome dude! And yea so did I..the whole time I was waiting for them to show how they were made and the actors using them.

        • September 7, 2016 at 4:41 am
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          i mean, that is probably my favorite of the special features (and i don’t even have it, since it was a target exclusive lol. had to watch online :P) I will double dip for the 4K, and hopefully they have more. Or even for VII. I just want more prop/saber stuff. (made a vow not to buy movies on 4K if i already own the bluray, save for Star Wars, Hobbit, and maybe 2001 and Interstellar)

          I used 84 blue LEDs in the saber. The blade has a chemical that absobs blue wavelengths and emits a higher luminosity green light. here is a build log it you want to see.
          https://forum.teksyndicate.com/t/lightsaber-build/105584

          • September 7, 2016 at 5:15 am
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            That sounds really cool! I’ll be sure to check it out.

  • September 7, 2016 at 12:57 am
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    You serious about posting an article of this type (again!) SWNN? All you’re doing is baiting and riling fans up to get into petty arguments and encouraging the wannabe cinephiles and armchair filmmakers to come out and be loud and vocal with their opinions again!

    Stop posting articles about effects; it’s gotten tiresome by now and you’re not fooling anyone. Furthermore, all it really shows (whether intentional or not) is just how much you’re willing to pander to audiences as I’ve described in the previous paragraph.

    • September 7, 2016 at 1:07 am
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      Ikr, how dare fans be vocal about their opinions! 😉 its all in good fun, bud. 🙂

      • September 7, 2016 at 1:28 pm
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        True, I don’t want to have a discussion with others (comments sections and forums on SW-related pages are the worst really, as many seem to be cesspools for trolls just looking to rile others up). That doesn’t mean I want to see others’ comments – especially those I don’t agree with – and if I do see some of that type, it tells me to block that user as whatever comes out of them will probably be something that that I don’t want to see and read (as said comments will probably be uneducated and ignorant trash).

        I’m so glad that Disqus implemented this blocking feature recently, it’s really quite handy 😉

        • September 8, 2016 at 7:51 am
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          Bossman Chuck, you truly fascinate me. Really. You admit that you “don’t want to have a discussion with others” – you just want to block people that don’t agree with you. Those are your words. Why do you bother here? What do you gain from any of it? IT’S A FREAKING DISCUSSION BOARD! People discuss their opinions – good, bad, or ugly. I sort of agree, I get a little tired of the prequel bashing that goes on. I’m no huge fan of the prequels by any means, but I don’t make it my life’s purpose to trash them at every turn. But you seem so angry and intolerant, why come here? I honestly don’t understand.

          Let me guess…:”BLOCKED!”

    • September 7, 2016 at 1:16 am
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      Eat a Snickers bar. You are not you when you are hungry.

    • September 7, 2016 at 3:13 am
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      You know that you don’t have to read articles that don’t interest you, right? You also don’t have to read comments about articles that don’t interest you.

  • September 7, 2016 at 1:14 am
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    Very impressive.

  • September 7, 2016 at 1:32 am
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    “film still used more computer-generated effects than even Star Wars: Episode I.”

    Ha ha ha, boy that’s ironic!

    • September 7, 2016 at 1:53 am
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      And did it better

      • September 7, 2016 at 4:52 am
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        It had better look better, being made 16 or so years later. For 1999, those were some really stunning effects.

        • September 7, 2016 at 5:17 am
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          That’s not what I mean. Of course they look better now. And of course in 1999, TPM was stunning.

          The effects served the STORY better. The performances were not overshadowed by them. The movie still had energy and life to it.

          It’s what I say to people who whine about the CGI in the prequels: that wasn’t the issue with those movies. Tons of movies have CGI. It was still kind of slow and lifeless.

          TFA had more CGI, but also more LIFE.

          • September 7, 2016 at 6:12 am
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            UNCLE DEADLY is UNstoppable!

          • September 7, 2016 at 10:47 pm
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            You better rewacth all movies 🙂

          • September 8, 2016 at 12:57 am
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            Why? i’ve seen them hundreds of times,

          • September 8, 2016 at 4:35 am
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            Why not? 🙂

          • September 8, 2016 at 6:03 am
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            haha, true enough.

          • September 12, 2016 at 6:11 am
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            I would say its on par with the “life” shown in episode 3, which was lucas’ intention as that is when the story came to a head.

  • September 7, 2016 at 1:45 am
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    LOL, talk about a big middle finger to the crowd that thought there would be more practical effects.

    • September 7, 2016 at 1:52 am
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      How? The effects were good enough to fool you until this came out.

      • September 7, 2016 at 2:08 am
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        It was never about how convincing the CG was. Yes it was very convincing. It was about JJ and company boasting about how more practical effects were going to be used.

        • September 7, 2016 at 4:32 am
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          ummm… so the prequel trilogy didn’t have a SINGLE clone trooper set of armor built. every one was CGI. just having the one suit that Finn wore was more practical than ep 2 and 3 lol

          Hell.. even the Lightsabers in TFA were lit practically!

          • September 7, 2016 at 4:51 am
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            But the lightsabers themselves were not practical. And you can’t judge the quality of special effects by how many suits of armor were real or not. How about backgrounds, spaceships, you know those things?

          • September 7, 2016 at 5:22 am
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            Effects should serve the story. They didn’t in the prequels. They do in TFA

          • September 7, 2016 at 6:11 am
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            Uncle Deadly DROPS THE MIC with that amazing statement

          • September 7, 2016 at 2:51 pm
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            Your check is in the mail.

          • September 8, 2016 at 12:18 am
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            I hate to ask this, but how old are you again? 4?

          • September 13, 2016 at 5:55 am
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            If you read his posts you will see he is nothing but a troll so dont get your hopes up for any intelligent or logical responses.

          • September 7, 2016 at 7:47 pm
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            Damn straight. Unnecessary CGI that doesn’t serve the story is the fondant on cake of the Star Wars Prequels. Sure, it looks pretty, but tastes absolutely terrible and just isnt needed in the first place. CGI should be pretty, but should serve the story as well.

          • September 7, 2016 at 8:07 pm
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            That’s the hot take I am trying to get across here: CGI is just a tool. Same as everything else that goes into a movie. It’s not good or bad, it’s all about how it is used.

            A better script and more lively performances would have gone a long way to helping the prequels.

          • September 12, 2016 at 6:09 am
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            Isnt needed? You tell me how else they could have done the massive battles, especially with thousands of droids and clones. They are totally different movies that TFA who was not goong for the same kind of movie. Look if you want to be like everyone else and bash the PT (and honestly why even hang out on a star wars fan site the ) thats youre right, but to try and support your opinion with fault analysis… It begs for someone to call you out on it.

          • September 12, 2016 at 6:30 am
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            So…yeah. I am not a prequel basher, but thanks for “calling me out” on it just because I found a few things that I consider flaws. Not one of the Star Wars movies were perfect, but that doesn’t make me not like them. There was quite a bit that I enjoyed of the prequels actually. Episode 1 is BY FAR my least favorite Star Wars film and it’s faults were CERTAINLY more than CGI, but it also has arguably the best lightsaber battle in the entire franchise. I didn’t once say that droids and clones shouldn’t have been practical. The only thing I said was that there were many things in the prequels that were CGI and served no purpose or did anything to further the story, or worse yet, were added to the story strictly to make a CGI scene like the pod race. I must admit I was a little vague when I said that some of the CGI isn’t needed, I did specify it was the CGI that didn’t further the story was just not needed. CLEARLY clones, droids, ect… definitely serve the story. You seemed to have decided to put words into my mouth. It is very clear that each movie has it’s own purpose so each goes for it’s own type. I actually believe that each movie made was pretty good at telling the intended story, including the prequels.

            Regarding CGI, I realize it is 2016 and movies filmed completely practically is just not feasible. It just isn’t done anymore and I’m totally fine with that. CGI can look every bit as good as real life even when done well. Making thousands of droids and clones in armor would be an absolute nightmare to do practically. CGI WAS the answer for this.

            Moving forward, please, the next time you “call somebody out” please get your facts straight and next time try to ASK what my intent was rather than just assume I am a prequel hating, CGI hating person.

            I love Star Wars I would think as much as anybody else here, but it does seem that some have strange ways of showing that love.

          • September 12, 2016 at 7:17 pm
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            Well, now that you’ve clarified your original statement (ie walked it back and softened it) sure…

            That said, we disagree on the Podrace… that scene was intense and there really was no other way to do it.

            The one CGI crapfest that stands out in my mind, however, is that ridiculous chase between Obi-wan on his Boga and Grevious on his wheel bike in Episode 3. That was TERRIBLE (overblown, unrealistic, totally over the top). Come to find out, Spielberg is the one who designed that scene, not Lucas! Ironic.

          • September 12, 2016 at 7:29 pm
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            I guess I was just saying that the entire scene of the pod racing wasn’t even needed at all, CGI or otherwise. I also agree with you about the Obi-Wan chase. That was just awful.

          • September 13, 2016 at 5:54 am
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            Youre literally the first person to ever make that claim about the Podrace. First of all it is a movie and the many reason people go movies is to see things like the podrace. From a story perspective it showed anakin was a great pilot and set up the end with him flying a starfighter and taking out the drood control ship. It also was what allowed quigon to bet with watto and secure anakins freedom. The fact that you say that about the podrace shows you have no idea what you are talking about amd i dont see the sense in continuing to engage with you.

          • September 13, 2016 at 11:53 am
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            I know I’m not the only person who has said that but that really doesn’t matter. The point I was trying to make was about unnecessary CGI, in this point a scene that was not needed. Your statement is quite valid in that the pod race was to show how good of a pilot Anakin was ect… but I saw the scene quite differently. It seemed to me that much of the story in that part of the movie was built AROUND the pod race rather than the other way around. I guess what I’m trying to say is that it seemed like they wanted to make a pod race scene, and then later tried to justify (and in my opinion very poorly, god forbid I have an opinion of my own) why the scene was made.

            It is very clear that we have differing opinions. This clearly is a film and scene that you hold very dearly to your heart and I respect that. I do not share the same love for much of that movie and especially that scene. We each have our own opinions, and we are allowed to. The difference between us is the fact that I have been respectful of your opinion and haven’t been rude to get my point across.

            You have valid points for a franchise that you and I both happen to love, and for that friend I have no hatred towards you. May the force be with you!

          • September 14, 2016 at 12:40 am
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            Well then you are in the extreme minority as far as your thoughts on the Podrace. And yes, that part of the movie was built around the Podrace because it was a major catalyst to propel the story forward. That’s kind of how scenes work. I think you are biased because you don’t like the CGI. I’ll be honest, that two-headed announcer didn’t work for me at all, and some of the Podracers looked a little fake – but so did much of the OT aliens… Ewoks? Ugnauts? Why do they get a pass because they were practical vs. CGI.

            As far as wanting to make a Podrace scene… of course! That’s what all of SW is…someone ie Lucas WANTING to make scenes. But as far as it being organic to the story… it’s more organic than the Bongo’s trip through the planet’s core… so go pick on that scene! lol.

            Cheers!

          • September 12, 2016 at 6:06 am
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            Debatable. Just because you didnt like the story doesnt mean they didnt serve the story. Youre telling me a movie about a clone war that had cgi droid armies and clones didnt have effects that served the story? Come on.

          • September 12, 2016 at 3:25 pm
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            You clearly have no idea what I am talking about when I mean serve the story. (I actually like the story, so your comment doesn’t make sense there)

            The CGI in TPM overwhelms the story (and clearly the actors), who gave (mostly) lifeless performances with little direction. There are whole swaths of TPM where there is nothing but CGI, not a single person on screen who is alive and that artificialness shines through.

            CGI should be a tool to tell a good story. Simple having CGI droids fight in a battle isn’t serving the story if we don’t care about who is fighting. Aside from Jar Jar, there was no one we knew in that battle. It was just droids and Gungans. It lacked emotion, intensity, etc… It was just a numbing CGI setpiece. It didn’t help the movie.

          • September 12, 2016 at 7:24 pm
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            So the podrace was hindered by CGI? The clone war battles? The lightsaber duels? Yeah, I’m the one who has no idea here…

          • September 12, 2016 at 7:57 pm
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            Yes, CGI hurt the clone war battles. None of the troopers were real, they were all CGI and it SHOWS. It’s noticeable, which takes you out of the scene and doesn’t serve the story.

            Another reason for this is the story wasn’t as strong in (2 of) the prequels, so people have more time to nitpick these things. Jar Jar was a terrifc use of CGI, even if the character himself sucked. The podrace was not hindered by CGI (this is where you miss the point so widely) but was the MOVIE, the STORY served well by 10 minutes of pure CGI racing? Probably not, even if the scene is exciting.

            Sigh…you clearly don’t have a clue what I am talking about so I am not going to waste my time. If you can’t see the difference between how excessive CGI hurt the prequels, but careful use of CGI coupled with practical effects helped TFA, then no amount of explaining on my part will aid you.

            Have a good day.

          • September 13, 2016 at 6:03 am
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            Aww dont get your panties all twisted uncle d just because someone doesnt agree with you. See you need to learn that just because you didnt like the movies doesnt mean the wffects werent great.
            Dude a 3 minute podrace scene wouldnt have “served the story” either. So what is the correct screen time for the podrace according to uncle d? Give me a break… Theres no exact science here no matter what you think. And majority of people agree the podrace and the clones were higjhlights lf the pt. accept it or dont, just shut up trying to push your OPINION when most people dont agree with you.

          • September 13, 2016 at 3:10 pm
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            There is zero reason to be disrespectful and rude like that. I don’t care if you disagree with me; people disagree all the time and life goes on. I merely said that I have explained and repeated myself several times and you still don’t grasp my point, so there is no sense in continuing this dead end of a conversation.

            Your comments about the length of the podrace prove you have no idea what I mean, so let’s just part amicably.

            “And majority of people agree the podrace and the clones were higjhlights lf the pt. accept it or dont, just shut up trying to push your OPINION when most people dont agree with you.”

            Baseless. Pure conjecture with no numbers to back it up.

            And that’s not EVEN the point. The podrace is awesome to look at and while the clone battles are great, NO ONE said the clones themselves are the highlights (see? I can make stuff up, too). But those being visual highlights have zero to do with my point, so have a good life. I know now to ignore anything you say because we are operating on different wavelengths.

          • September 14, 2016 at 12:43 am
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            And you don’t grasp THE point… or understand no matter how many times I show you that you’re wrong and biased.

            And no… not baseless. Search the forums… and the reviews… it’s pretty well backed up.

          • September 7, 2016 at 7:45 am
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            all the ships in II and III were CGI…. and the light was real…. as opossed to digitally casting light and having it fall on their faces.

          • September 12, 2016 at 6:05 am
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            Actually no, many of the ships were practical models or a combination of both. You rrally need to watch the special features on the blu rays before you start commenting here because you simply are incorrect and youre being way to pushy with the wrong information.

          • September 12, 2016 at 6:47 am
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            In episode 1, yes.. i was calling out episode II and III….. if you have any evidence, please present it, as i am not above learning.

          • September 12, 2016 at 7:22 pm
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            evidence that episode 2 and 3 used practical ships as well as CGI? Watch the special features on the Blu-Rays… they talk about it.

          • September 13, 2016 at 2:11 am
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            Well i’m literally asking here lol I don’t have the blurays, so if you have some specifics?

          • September 13, 2016 at 5:51 am
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            They just confirm what i am saying that episode 2 and 3 used lots of models, minatures and practical effects.

          • September 13, 2016 at 6:56 am
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            i was actually asking for a specific example, like a ship or miniature. ep1 had a bunch. Ep2 had the Colosseum and some of the Kamino stuff. Ep 3 had…. i honestly don’t know what miniatures they had. Maybe a Kashyyyk tree? and i think all the saber fights in 2/3 were just done on Blue-Screen.

            It is what it is, i just value the effort to make something tactile and real. Ep1’s awesome miniatures n stuff were overshadowed by the gungans and the battle droids. Hell, even the Trade Federation bloackade ships were practical, and the silver Noaboo ship.

            I doubt we will go back to miniatures for ships, but I mean look at the ‘subway’ scene in Rogue One….. that would have been entirely CGI in 2/3.

          • September 14, 2016 at 12:48 am
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            Honestly, I don’t want to go back and re-watch them for specific examples. It’s just not worth it here. The practical stuff you mention… blockade ships and naboo ship were a combination of practical and digital.

            TFA used minatures already and I believe Rogue One did too.

            As far as the subway scene, I wouldn’t know… I haven’t seen the movie yet to comment on it. But they did use quite a bit of digital on it so says some of the Rogue One promo specials.

            And you don’t know that if that scene was in the PT it would have been digital or not. Lucas used a combination of real/digital just like Rogue One. Things he couldn’t find real, he had to make. And I’ve already said before that I prefer that to the recycled locations in TFA. Some of the TFA locations were down right boring.

            Also, that subway scene may have been digitial had it not been for the director having visiting there as a kid and telling himself he was going to find a way to include it in a movie someday.

          • September 14, 2016 at 4:25 am
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            What miniatures did Rogue One use?

            I found the TFA locations enchanting. We hadn’t really seen them before. Jakku wasn’t just sand dunes. There was a battle graveyard of ships.

            Takodana was new too. It wasn’t a redwood forest, it was more primal, thinner trees, moss covered rocks, etc.

            And Starkiller Base Incorporated a frozen forest. Not sure how it was boring or recycled.

          • September 16, 2016 at 12:58 am
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            I meant rogue one used a real location mixed with CG for the subway.

            Tfa… Ice planet, forest planet, sand planet… Despite some slight variations (thinner trees…) been there, done that. I do agree the starships junkyards were cool on jakku.

          • September 7, 2016 at 5:43 am
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            Well to be fair..the clones did have to be identical in stature which would’ve probably been kinda hard to do with extras lol. And if there were clones that didn’t look similar I’m sure there would have been people who complained about that as well. So either way it’s a lose lose.

          • September 12, 2016 at 6:04 am
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            I think episode 2 had a practical suit. But an argument can MAYBE be made for being able to tell the different between cgi troopers in episode 2 vs non cgi troopers, but almost everyone who doesnt know thinks they made real suits for the clones in episode 3. They were flawless. Youre being biased if you think otherwise.

          • September 12, 2016 at 6:45 am
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            i’m sorry… but no, not a single clone trooper armor set was built, and the Ep II troopers are DATED… watch the video i posted. Also look at the one picture i just grabbed from Google Images…. especially the trooper to the left…. my god… video games look better.

          • September 12, 2016 at 7:21 pm
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            I said I wasn’t sure on Episode 2… I know on Episode 3 they definetely weren’t built. I don’t think they Ep 2 troopers are dated. And I don’t think that image shows what you think it shows. But those are my opinions and I’m entitled to them.

        • September 7, 2016 at 5:18 am
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          And they did use plenty of practical effects. I fail to see why this is an issue.

          • September 7, 2016 at 12:14 pm
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            they did just as much practicals as for any other star wars film. Yes, including the prequels.

          • September 7, 2016 at 2:51 pm
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            It was more about getting back to a tactile feel. People misunderstand what they were saying and then use it to get mad online. Boring.

          • September 7, 2016 at 3:35 pm
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            quoting the comic-con 2015 video:
            “Real sets…. practical effects….”
            The term “practical effects” has been used extensively in pre-TFA interviews and articles. It’s undeniable that, in order to sell the movie, they did an extensive “everything is real” campaign, so that they take distances from the prequels. An example? They focused heavily on BB-8 being practical. Of course he wasn’t 100% practical, but the way they introduced him made it understand by most of the people that it would be. The truth is, while actually they’ve used very many miniatures in the prequels that were unrightfully considered CGI, There actually were a lot of well-made, full-CGI environments in TFA (or at least very heavily cgi-d ones); The cgi in TFA was great, but they chose to hide the CG side of TFA because of the PT haters. That’s the point here.

          • September 7, 2016 at 5:35 pm
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            “everything is real” is that a direct quote as well? Because you used a direct quote and then you magnify it into “everything is real” which I doubt anyone said.

            There were real sets and practical effects. I don’t see the issue.

            BB-8 being there and in person was a great moment, but only a fool would think that means he was ALWAYS practical. You can’t help if it people jump to the wrong conclusions. Well, you can, but that would involve not saying anything at all. And that’s no good, either.

            No one went to see the movie b/c BB-8 was real or b/c they said they were doing practical effects. It was the filmmakers trying to reassure people they were operating under the same spirit as the OT, which we all know and love. And they did. No deception at all.

            Just b/c ignorant people thought the PT was all CGI doesn’t mean Lucasfilm was lying here. Nothing is ever going to be all CGI or all practical again.

          • September 7, 2016 at 9:02 pm
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            I think we reached from different sides the same point: people reached certain conclusions because certain inceptions that were done during the campaign. Often you could find under an article in wich JJ, Kennedy or whoever talked about them focusing on practical effects and a tangible, phisical world, comments stating “yeah, they’re again saying that TFA is all practical” and similars. I’m saying that the campaign they did, the way they did it, made people naturally as a consequence jump to the conclusion that “everything is practical or real”.
            That’s what I meant by an “everything is real” campaign.

          • September 7, 2016 at 9:08 pm
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            Ah, I see. Yeah, they made sure to let people know that practical was back in a big way, but people jumping to the wrong conclusion and then getting mad is just so silly to me.
            Most people didn’t know what was CGI until they saw clips like this, which should be enough to tell them it didn’t matter.

        • September 7, 2016 at 5:54 am
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          He was right. There was a great deal of more practical effects used, more location filming, more practical creatures constructed. If you look at the quotes, he also said the film would have an “enormous” amount of CGI in it. And the end result worked great marrying the two together.

        • October 1, 2016 at 12:08 pm
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          You all also seem to forget it was MARKETING. They literally couldn’t talk about anything. So let’s talk about how much we are trying to distance ourselves from the prequels, without publicly knocking them in said interview and adding more animosity to the creator of Star Wars. So what if JJ’s claims didn’t calculate out perfectly to what you deem necessary to make his statements 100% valid. Idiot

    • September 7, 2016 at 3:48 am
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      Why? There were tons of real sets, and many of the CG effects shown in this real were actually mixed with practical effects, like the animatronic/costume Unkar Plutt, the Finalizer’s fighter bay, etc. Even Hux’s speech had dozens (hundreds?) of stormtroopers in real costumes, something we never got in the prequels or other effects extravaganzas like The Hobbit.

      • September 7, 2016 at 4:49 am
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        I’m pretty sure there were dozens of real costumes in the prequels.

        • September 7, 2016 at 5:22 am
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          I know for a fact that all the clone troopers were CGI. That’s what he is talking about. he said “stormtroopers” in real costumes.

          Lucas didn’t want to build a Clone Trooper costume, so they were all CGI.

          And the difference shows.

          • September 7, 2016 at 6:02 am
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            People like getting on Lucas because he made CG storm trooper armor. At least he tried a new approach with everything he did. Example: with so much emphasis on “real” nowadays we get “alien” planets that have trees and bushes straight from planet Earth. It takes me out of the moment.

            And I reiterate my last point. I’m pretty sure there were at least dozens of real costumes in the prequels.

          • September 7, 2016 at 6:10 am
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            TFA FX blew away the Prequels – the Prequels look like even MORE of a joke now than they did when released LOL

          • September 7, 2016 at 8:27 pm
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            It also has better effects work than A Trip to the Moon – take that, Georges Méliès.

          • September 7, 2016 at 2:55 pm
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            People like getting on Lucas b/c he made low energy (though still fun) movies that weren’t as good as the originals and made some questionable decisions while making them. The CGI armor isn’t WHY they get on him. It’s just a symptom of the overall issue.

            Hey, remember Endor? That was a great planet, right? With trees and bushes…right out of the California redwood forest. So…I fail to see the issue. You must have been taken out of Return of the Jedi for a full hour.

            And to reiterate your last point: “NO ONE IS TALKING ABOUT ANY KIND OF COSTUME EXCEPT THE CLONE TROOPER ARMOR SO WHAT ARE YOU EVEN TALKING ABOUT?”

            Of course there were real costumes in the prequels. He was specifically talking about the trooper armor. Which I’ve now said twice, but you ignore it.

          • October 1, 2016 at 12:03 pm
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            You must not have a very good imagination then. It’s quite easy to see any planet in TFA as being foreign. Just sit in for the ride and stop thinking so friggin much about how it was made or where it’s shot. Seems easy enough and if ya don’t just set yourself into said movie, kinda is pointless.

        • September 7, 2016 at 8:05 am
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          Actually prequels have more practical stuff that the OT, that is a fact, and of course TFA Actually have more CGI than any other, and that is not necesary a bad thing, because you can see what can be achieve this days, what is sad is that they din’t wanted to take risks creating new stuff, they just made thinks the way that looked similar to the OT.

          • September 7, 2016 at 9:54 am
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            That’s not a fact, because that’s impossible. Every effect in the OT was practical effects because there was no CGI in the late 70’s early 80’s.

            In addition, both AotC and RotS didn’t have a single Clone Trooper costume made. Every Clone Trooper in those films is done through CGI, versus TFA where almost every Storm Trooper was fully costumed and on set.

          • September 7, 2016 at 7:00 pm
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            Correction#1 not every storm trooper was real. most weren’t in fact. They had lots of costumes built and a few hero ones for close ups, but even this video shows all the troopers in background were animated.

          • September 7, 2016 at 7:15 pm
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            Correction #2 It’s important to designate the difference between CGI, blue/screen, and practical. Every Star Wars uses has practical effects, and blue/green screen. The last 4 used CGI as well. (excluding SE) The amount of blue screen did not change that much, especially from Ep5 on. what was put in its place did.

            But I would argue that matte painting and a digital matte painting are essentially the same. It is important to define practical and that it does not mean real necessarily. TFA not only had more straight up effects than any star wars movie, it used more CGI than any. Despite the all the PR about blending the old and the new TFA did this the least. The total green screen count was less than some Star Wars movies. But every time it was used it was mostly filled with CGI. Models were used less for the first time. In fact TFA used more real sets than any Star Wars movie, but also more CGI. In the past this resulting in a jarring, obvious and artificial look. But advancements in CGI saved JJ, not and genius creative thinking.

          • September 7, 2016 at 8:23 pm
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            Not to be nit-picky, but SW and Jedi both have CGI. The trench run visualization was created on computer, as was the DS2 hologram. Also, although it wasn’t actually in the film, immediately after SW came out, and before ESB was started, ILM was provided a sample CG animation of a number of shots from the XW attack which actually looks pretty decent. It was certainly in its infancy, but you’re incorrect.

      • September 7, 2016 at 7:32 pm
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        How exactly could Lucas have told the story of the clone wars without using special effects? Geonosis, Utapow, Kamino, etc. even if he had a Disney size budget, are there really real world locations that could have worked? Why is George punished for dreaming up amazing characters and locations and then trying to figure out how to make them come to life on screen, while JJ is praised for constantly oppressing a sacrificing his imagination in order to be able to shoot in real locations and have creators that can be puppets and costumes. Seems lazy to say, instead of dreaming up amazing things and shooting for the moon, I’ll just try and film in locations, and try and decorate them so they look a little different. If you can film most of your space fantasy movie in real world locations, or fully built sets and puppets, then I’de say your not using your imagination enough.

        • September 8, 2016 at 2:53 am
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          Than I guess the OT wasn’t imaginative enough.

          • September 8, 2016 at 6:02 am
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            I am of course talking to the directors of today. JJs claim of trying to do as much practical worries me. He is puts the medium ahead of serving the story, and his imagination last. But I would argue that even ANH relied less on the real. Thinks of how much of it is characters staring out of a cockpit onto a blue screen or waving sticks around pretending to be light sabers. TFA didn’t even have a single space battle. And it called itself STARwars?

          • September 8, 2016 at 7:03 am
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            Yes. Get over it.

      • September 7, 2016 at 7:34 pm
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        George used cutting edge technology in the 70’s to bring his vision to life as best he could. CGI allowed him to create whats on screen look even closer to what he envisioned in his head. If you don’t like the look of the last few Star Wars movies Lucas made, maybe you just don’t like the original vision of Star Wars. Perhaps you just like the look of 70’s movies.

        • September 8, 2016 at 12:05 am
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          I couldn’t say it better.

    • September 7, 2016 at 5:01 am
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      Big middle finger to those who were HOPING everything was “practical.”

      • September 7, 2016 at 5:20 am
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        Anyone who hoped that was a moron. That’s not how movies are made anymore.

        • September 7, 2016 at 5:59 am
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          Exactly. I’m not suggesting that every ‘practical effects made the OT great’ sayer was intelligent.

          • September 7, 2016 at 2:59 pm
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            No, I’m saying anyone who thought the movie would be all practical is a moron.

            Practical effects didn’t make the movie great, but they served the story and provided a tactile feel to the world that is missing from heavily CGI-ed productions with little to know practical effects.

    • September 7, 2016 at 5:20 am
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      That’s so dumb. There were plenty of practical effects.

    • September 7, 2016 at 9:00 am
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      There WERE more practical effects. Not to mention that CGI wasn’t just added for the sake of “something happening in every frame”

    • September 7, 2016 at 6:03 am
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      I kinda wish that poster was the official one.

      • September 7, 2016 at 6:19 am
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        It is much better than the official one. I was lucky enough to get my hands on this one. Looks great on the wall that is for sure.

        • September 7, 2016 at 7:07 am
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          It really is a nice poster. Lucky dude.

          • September 7, 2016 at 8:18 pm
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            And that it is the same Photoshop cut-and-paste job of 95% of big budget films today. Boring and sterile.

          • September 7, 2016 at 11:34 pm
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            Struzan’s lens flared, spattered paintings , while beautifully rendered, aren’t exactly fresh and new after seeing them for the last 30 years, either.

          • September 8, 2016 at 1:20 am
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            Novelty aside, which would you rather see? Be honest now.

          • September 8, 2016 at 9:32 am
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            I like Struzan’s posters, but the composition on his TFA poster bothers me. Kylo Ren’s head is chopped off and Rey’s is too close to the edge. I don’t care for the diagonal angle of all the figures, and everything is compositionally heavy on the left side. What makes a great poster for me is not painted vs. photography, but the quality of composition, and how memorable and iconic the imagery is. The final poster, as I said before, had its own problems because of how cluttered it was. So, to me, I don’t prefer either.

  • September 7, 2016 at 7:10 am
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    So much better than the Prequels – I mean the TFA Trailer is better than the ENTIRE Prequel Trilogy !

    • September 7, 2016 at 1:53 pm
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      TFA is boring as hell.

      • September 10, 2016 at 9:54 pm
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        Said no one ever.

    • September 7, 2016 at 8:17 pm
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      Yeah, the effects in (film X), made nearly twenty years ago,and which was one of the major pioneer of most of the effects techniques used today, aren’t as solid as some of the effects in (film Y), which came out less than a year ago. You tell ’em.

  • September 7, 2016 at 8:33 am
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    And the Oscar for Best Visual effects goes to….Ex Machina?

    Please. They got robbed.

    • September 7, 2016 at 5:18 pm
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      Just because it was a small movie doesn’t mean it wasn’t worthy. What they pulled off with Alicia Vikander as the android was amazing.

      • September 7, 2016 at 11:32 pm
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        So they replaced parts of an actress’ body with digital robot parts. Seen it before.

    • September 8, 2016 at 2:20 am
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      No, Mad Max Fury Road got robbed blind. No one can tell me any other production did what they did, to the level they did. The Oscar for Special fx is for both practical and CG. Ex Machina, while great, but honestly didn’t deserve to win. Rant over lol

      • September 8, 2016 at 2:51 am
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        They added parts to cars, and replaced real rocks with fake rocks.

        MIND BLOWING!

        • September 8, 2016 at 2:57 am
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          Oh, there’s so much more to MM:FR than CG replacement. The production design and stunt work is out of this world. Streets ahead of Ex Machina. And honestly, probably just a little better than TFA (which I love! Don’t kill me!)

          • September 8, 2016 at 3:01 am
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            Maul already did that for me.

          • September 8, 2016 at 3:05 am
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            Zing!

          • September 12, 2016 at 3:31 am
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            Why would anyone kill you tfa is almost universally loved.

          • September 12, 2016 at 5:33 am
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            Dude dont engage the troll TUD he is just trying to get a response. He cant be that stupid to think that was all there was to mad ma… Oh on second thought.

      • September 12, 2016 at 5:30 am
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        Ignore the troll below me. You could say the same about ex machina (they removed arms and added wires). TUD comments like he is gods gift to the internet, he thinks he speaks like he is clever but instead he just comes off as the massive troll that he is – coming into fan forums and saying stupid inflammatory crap to try and rile people up.
        Anyway, visually mad max was jncredible.. The car chase scenes, the slo motion shots and the flipping vehicles and everything… Amazing.

  • September 7, 2016 at 8:59 am
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    CGI has come a long way. I thought for sure a lot of those were practical.

  • September 7, 2016 at 9:38 am
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    Wow! That was really cool to see all of the work put into those sequences. I’m not a hater of CGI unless it looks very fake, most of the CGI in TFA you could hardly tell was CGI.

  • September 7, 2016 at 12:01 pm
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    The prequels have the only fault of being made too early. Yesterday I watched lotr Two Towers, and that movie too has quite fake looing CGI. Yet I never heard a huge hating towards it.

    • September 7, 2016 at 1:35 pm
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      Two Towers had a great script and performances from the cast.

      • September 7, 2016 at 3:21 pm
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        that doesn’t justify the cg.

        • September 9, 2016 at 3:16 am
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          I disagree.

    • September 7, 2016 at 8:14 pm
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      And (made particular note of it, as it came out when I was finishing animation school) just about every shot requiring extensive CG is at night, or at night in the rain. WETA got away with obscuring a great deal of their work on those films.

      • September 7, 2016 at 8:53 pm
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        oh. Didn’t know that… I directly refered to such as the Olyphants scene.

        • September 8, 2016 at 1:29 am
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          I have to say, and while it galled me at the time (being a keyframe purist kinda guy as opposed to the mocap approach WETA took with Gollum) the result of the character work was terrific in that film.

  • September 7, 2016 at 2:49 pm
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    Looking at this I really hope they will redo parts of the CGI for Ep1-3. It has been done before, so it can be done again.

  • September 7, 2016 at 3:39 pm
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    Great video.

    It really brings out the fans tribalism.

  • September 7, 2016 at 7:26 pm
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    Christ… I love this movie

  • September 7, 2016 at 8:04 pm
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    Well damn…. that was cool.

  • September 8, 2016 at 3:12 am
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    I think there was a bit of confusion on the comment I made. My comment was in regards to the FX reel, not the movie as a whole. I should have made clear. My apologies for the confusion.

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