I am working on my review of Fox’s Rise of the Planet of the Apes right now after seeing it last night. I’m not going to say much about my opinion outside of saying has some issues, but none of them have to do with the apes, which were digitally created using performance capture technology as accomplished by the folks at WETA Digital.
A featurette showing how WETA went about creating the effects has just come online, featuring side-by-side comparisons and analysis such as the image you see above of Andy Serkis in his performance-capture gear and the final product on the right.
The effects in this movie are brilliant and while I know I already said Andy Serkis won’t score an Oscar nomination for his performance as Caesar due to the Academy’s ignorance, I think you’re going to hear a lot of people clamoring for it to happen. I still don’t think the Academy will be able to wrap their head around the idea, but I think this film, Serkis’ performance and WETA’s effects work are a step in the right direction.
Rise will most likely have to settle for a Visual Effects nomination and perhaps a win, which means Transformers: Dark of the Moon may be the third time the franchise has delivered excellent visuals only to lose to another film.
Now, before you watch this video, there are some spoilers in it. If you are already planning on seeing the film I would hold off on watching this until after you do. Rise of the Planet of the Apes hits theaters this Friday, August 5 and while I have some problems with it, I hope all of you will give it a chance.
