CGI characters - Did you like them?

It was better on my 2nd viewing. Impressive in fact.

 

But was it ... most impressive?

 

I was so surprised at the screentime they gave Tarkin, but I was really thrilled by it all. I mentioned somewhere else that I teared up when I saw Leia.

I get that people were really taken out of it by the CGI. I wish there was something I could say to convince you that it's pretty awesome, but I know there isn't. But at the very least, it's a harbinger of some pretty amazing digital effects in the future.

 

My wife was seen all the Star Wars movies, but she isn't a huge fan or follows any technology news at all. After the first scene with Tarking I turned to her and told her that guy has been dead a long time, there is nothing there it's all "pixar"; and she was amazed, she said she wouldn't have noticed if I hadn't told her

 

I said this a few days ago, but the very first "real" shot of him looked utterly fake but got better through the movie as it went along.

 

First off, saw Rogue One last night and really, really enjoyed it. I had high expectations going in which I tried to temper. That didn't happen. lol Luckily, I was pleasantly surprised by how the film exceeded my expectations. A couple of things though: Didn't like the idea of no crawl. A couple of friends in line while getting drinks at the theatre asked, "so, is Rey is this movie?". Of course, we had to explain that no she wasn't. A simple crawl for the casual audience would have been great. That and I didn't like the Title introduction. The music grew on me after a while. That was the only thing that didn't feel very "Star Warsy" to me. Regardless, the film had my full attention from beginning to end.

In terms of the CGI, I was very impressed with Tarkin. The technology sure has come a long way. Not perfect, but it was pretty convincing and you can see the time and effort that was spent on this character as he played a vital role in the politics of the Death Star prior to ANH. So, kudos to them! Leia on the other hand, I wasn't one hundred percent convinced. She seemed a bit more artificial. These were my only issues. Overall, what a fantastic film! I"m still taking it all in cause I'm in a little bit of shock. Earlier in the year after seeing TFA, I really wasn't buying into the whole Standalone phenomena. Now, I'm pleasantly surprised and really enjoying it.

I just don't envy Rian Johnson right now. lol (BUT, he has the luxury of time to make an incredible film). Fingers crossed.

 

Yes, approximately six more months in fact, since the original theatrical release is no longer May 2017. This is good news, and Rian Johnson will for sure deliver. I just rewatched his Brick -- it was playing at my local cinema -- and came out happy that Star Wars will be in his hands. He is a filmmaker that can make audiences think and not just watch what is on the screen. I hope that his cousin Nathan has some part in the sound design for Episode VIII, because his soundtrack for Looper is full of welcome noises from real-world recordings.

 

Yes, I have no idea what to expect. But hopefully something grittier and darker. The characters will definitely be pushed in various ways. Please no hokeyness!

I assume with the December release date that they will take their time. I hope they do and don't become complacent with the success of R1 thus far. I'm assuming they may have listened to some of the criticisms around TFA (which I enjoyed) in terms of technology/visual effects, etc. Hope they really showcase some new and innovative effects via R1. Yes, I need to watch Looper which I haven't done. Just less than a year to go! But enjoying the Rogue One ride, to my pleasant surprise.

 

Looper is wonderful. If Denis Villeneuve wasn't directing Blade Runner 2049, as we speak, I would want Rian Johnson to make that sequel!

 

This sums it up best.

 

And boy am I glad Villeneuve is at the helm of that (I agree too - Johnson would be a great substitute).

As for 8 - I really think its encouraging that they have begun scoring a full year before release. If Williams isn't just in the studio to feed the teaser machine, Johnson must be getting pretty sure about his cut.
Good times await ^_^

 

I have seen some criticism of the CGI where it is stated they should have done actors with makeup. While that would have been ok, I hope those same people don't Vhlor about how Alden Ehrenreich doesn't look enough like Han Solo when the Solo movie comes out.

 

Not sure if this has already been commented upon in this thread: did anyone else notice the reflections of the faces for Tarkin and Leia in the viewport (windows) of their respective spaceships, the Death Star and Tantive IV?

This might be a minor aesthetic decision for the new era of Star Wars movies. For example, at the end of The Empire Strikes Back, there is neither a reflection of the droids nor of Luke and Leia as they gaze out of the medical clinic's viewport toward a galaxy. In The Force Awakens, I specifically remember seeing a reflection of Kylo Ren as he was pondering his next moves looking out into space from the Finalizer.

For the CGI characters, as minor as the reflections were, they were a nice touch of reality that enhanced the illusion that these characters really inhabited the space around them.

 

My other half didn't realise Tarkin was CGI, when I asked her what she thought of him she simply said he was a strange looking man. She didn't notice it at all, then was amazed when I revealed it to her.

 

Villenneuve is on the short list of directors I want to direct a stand alone Star Wars movie so his vision and his style can be seen unlike in a saga movie where it kind of has to follow a certain style

 

It was like watching a video game on a movie screen. Especially when I looked into their eyes at their mouths. Why in the hell didn't Disney and Lucasfilm simply hire actors to portray Tarkin and Leia. Good grief!

 

Tarkin was amazing! When he turned from the view port of the star destroyer, I was thinking "what the-- how did they do this?". Of course, I could tell something was slightly 'off' about him. Still, I was supremely impressed with how well they made him look. I would much rather see Tarkin as this superb CGI reincarnation, than recast as a different actor.

As for Leia, I was convinced they had found some old footage of Carrie Fisher!! I had to look up whether or not that was real.

A job well done, LucasFilm and ILM!

 

I think they'll look better in the future, maybe even as soon as the DVD/Bluray releases.

 

I thought Tarkin was a bit of a "shock" at first but with each scene I started to appreciate the effort and accept this new rendering of him and I enjoyed the portrayal and the scenes! Leia I had no issues with at all and still don't. The only CGI character I am a little hesitant on is the tentacle creature on Jedha...not sure about that but that's more because I think I've seen my fill of tentacled creatures in SW.