I'm guessing for those with a serious interest in visual effects some of the stories told here and archive footage are nothing new. However, for anyone else, this is a thoroughly engaging look at the history of ILM and how techniques have developed over the last 50 years.
The focus is mainly on the early years up until the ground breaking digital effects for Jurassic Park, but there are fascinating interviews with the leading players of the time (John Dykstra, Denis Muren, Ken Ralston etc.) and explanations of the techniques used.
I half expected this to be a gushing PR piece about ILM, and whilst it doesn't portray the company in any negative light (warranted or not), it also doesn't shy away from some of the internal struggles/disagreements between the individuals involved. Whether it really explored those to their full conclusion I'm not sure, but I dare anyone not to feel some kind of emotion when Phil Tippet (and the ILM model shop) realised they'd effectively become "extinct" during the making of Jurassic Park.
My only criticism is that it's a shame they didn't extend this to two seasons and explore the transition to digital more fully. The last part especially, regarding the use of motion capture and the digital volume stages, felt a little rushed.
Interestingly, whilst the move to digital has been fully realised (I'm not convinced that George Lucas really prophesied this as much as has been made out), it may be that the model shop has the last laugh, as it is clear there are some effects that still look fantastic with models utilised in a digitally rendered environment.
The focus is mainly on the early years up until the ground breaking digital effects for Jurassic Park, but there are fascinating interviews with the leading players of the time (John Dykstra, Denis Muren, Ken Ralston etc.) and explanations of the techniques used.
I half expected this to be a gushing PR piece about ILM, and whilst it doesn't portray the company in any negative light (warranted or not), it also doesn't shy away from some of the internal struggles/disagreements between the individuals involved. Whether it really explored those to their full conclusion I'm not sure, but I dare anyone not to feel some kind of emotion when Phil Tippet (and the ILM model shop) realised they'd effectively become "extinct" during the making of Jurassic Park.
My only criticism is that it's a shame they didn't extend this to two seasons and explore the transition to digital more fully. The last part especially, regarding the use of motion capture and the digital volume stages, felt a little rushed.
Interestingly, whilst the move to digital has been fully realised (I'm not convinced that George Lucas really prophesied this as much as has been made out), it may be that the model shop has the last laugh, as it is clear there are some effects that still look fantastic with models utilised in a digitally rendered environment.