MovieChat Forums > The Howling (1981) Discussion > Transformations - CGI vs 80s effects

Transformations - CGI vs 80s effects

posted 15 years ago by lister_ashley
44 replies | jump to latest

Okay, this is kinda obvious from the thread title, but...

Which do you prefer? The old fashioned effects like in "The Howling" and "American Werewolf" or the new CGI effects as seen in "Underworld" and such?

Personally, I prefer the old fashioned ones. CGI is great and all, but when you can see someone ACTUALLY morphing into another creature, it clicks. You can imagine it's really happening. But with CGI, (good as it is) you can still tell that it's CGI, you know?

The CGI also seems a litle too... clean? Whereas the werewolf effects in The Howling seem a little disjointed and uncomfortable (which, being honest, if you were turning into a werewolf, it'd probably hurt).

What's your view? Your opinion would be much appreciated.

Thanks for taking the time to read this. (Thanks extra if you post)

"I'm just a sweet lost time lord from Transsexual, planet Gallifrey..." - DoctorsFavDalek

[–] GroovyDoom 15 years ago

My take: The old school effects are much, much better. I like CGI used sparingly, but entire sequences that are CGI end up looking like cartoons to me. The werewolf transformations in "The Howling" were astonishing, and they still look that way. Not all of the effects in "The Howling" were stellar, and in fact they did use actual animation (cartoon and stop motion), but the scene where Eddie transforms while Karen watches remains unequaled.

[–] TasteForTheTheatrical 15 years ago

The effects in this movie, and especially AAWIL were incredible. CGI just looks poor and unrealistic, I hate it.

"Wish in one hand, s hit in the other, see which one fills up first."

[–] semsox 10 years ago

" I like CGI used sparingly, but entire sequences that are CGI end up looking like cartoons to me."

I agree with you "Groovydoom" for some reason Hollywood has an issue making a good Cgi wolf transformation. American Werewolf In Paris" - 1997 "Wolfman" -2010 and even the big budgeted "Van Helsing" - 2004 the wolf transformation looks cartoonish.

[–] Kris_AB 15 years ago

I just watched The Howling on tape for the first time and had to come comment. Not often you get a decent werewolf flick.

CGI occasionally does okay in the transformation department. I haven't watched much of the series, but the current incarnations of the British sci-fi series Dr. Who feature an episode with a werewolf in it. Look up the video on YouTube and see, it's a worthwhile effect and sequence.

Although I don't think it's a great film (but then I haven't seen the entire thing either, just the last half really), I thought the CGI Hugh Jackman werewolf in Van Helsing was nicely done.

Haven't seen much of the Underworld films, but from what I have seen, the werewolves are way too hair-free to be convincingly wolfish. A number of werewolf films have this problem (and when they're featured in TV shows sometimes), where they just look like skin.

Honestly, I know it's not as satisfying as seeing well-done live-action effects sometimes, but cartoons have done far more justice to convincing, badass-looking werewolves (and human/wolf mutants, and a whole lotta other man-beasts) over the years than films have.

[–] jfb3-1 15 years ago

I always prefered The Howling to AAWIL because of the lighting. American Werewolf was too brightly lit. The Howling, with the darkened light through venician blinds was just plain creepy. It had much more effect. CGI is good, but I like old school better (if done well)

[–] akroagate 15 years ago

I prefer The Howling effects over AAWIL, myself.

I think, overall, live action effects (that are well done) are better than CGI. Too much CGI, such as in Van Helsing, tends to take me out of the movie. The werewolf brother in Van Helsing looked good, but was so obviously fake that it spoiled it for me.

I'm really looking forward to the release of The Wolfman remake in November. The makeup looks fantastic.

Time of your life, huh, kid?

[–] Deadly_Andreas 15 years ago

You guys know that AAWIP is the one with cgi and NOT AAWIL right?

You think, therefore I am.

[–] akroagate 15 years ago

Yes, I know that both AAWIL and The Howling are not CGI.

Time of your life, huh, kid?

[–] american_werewolf_1981 15 years ago

i too prefer practical makeup for werewolves and not cg. but as someone said the werewolves in Van Helsing looked pretty awesome, especially Van Helsing himself, and in Underworld they use cg and full body costumes, the transformations are cg and for the type of movie it is i can understand the use of cg, as the wolves are meant to transform rather quickly. but for straight out werewolf horror movies its gotta be no cg whatsover, Ginger Snaps did a good non cg job of doing werewolves, as did Dog Soldiers, and props for Ginger for having a quadraped like in AWIL.

i do expect the wolves in New Moon to be cg as they kinda have to be, from the size they're described in the book, but in movies like the upcoming Wolf Man, no cg i hope.

[–] akroagate 15 years ago

What's this "New Moon"?

Time of your life, huh, kid?

[–] Bilbobilly 15 years ago

New Moon is the sequel to Twilight, the new 'tweeny' Vampire love story that has every girl in the States going gaga for the stuff like it was crack.

Yeah, I'm a little jaded, but then again I read all the Rowling and Paolini books, so I can't be too judgemental, I just don't think they're all that great (I did read the first one at my wife's request, and the writing is literlally the same grade level as the 3rd or 4th Potter books, and it's REALLY pedestrian to me.)

But this will be the first time that werewolves are introduced, I guess?
At least that's what my wife told me as she read through the series.

WOAH DUDE CAPS LOCK IS CRUISE CONTROL FOR COOL!

/sarcasm off
-tmccormick2010

[–] Fan_ever 15 years ago

I'm a girl, but the Twilight books don't interest me.

To return to topic, I also prefer 80s effects over CGI transformations.

Ben Grimm forever!

[–] HAMMERTHROW 15 years ago

CGI = Cartoons!!!

Triple Irons-"I could have easily have beaten you, if I had three swords"

[–] rneil95 15 years ago

The lighting in An American Werewolf in London was supposed to be like that. It was supposed to let you see everything clearly. The Howling doesn't work as well, I believe.

I don't read the script. The script reads me.

[–] Bilbobilly 15 years ago

The Howling totally wins hands down (or ripped clean off!) for greatest fright-inducing werewolf transformation.
American Werewolf is good for what it was, but like someone else said, the lighting kinda ruins it. Maybe it's a tongue-in-cheek bit of humor, in how it's laid out for all to see?
But I actually loved the Wolfman scene in the phonebooth in 'The Monster Squad'! the movie was fun and not really horror, but that scene was really well done for being a 15 second bit.
Anyways that's my bit.
Graphics are good from time to time, but I think they get overplayed a lot.
I want to see Del Toro do a nice wolfman transformation, since he relies on all on-set costumes and makeup, THAT would be Super SWEET!

WOAH DUDE CAPS LOCK IS CRUISE CONTROL FOR COOL!

/sarcasm off
-tmccormick2010

[–] 15 years ago

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[–] Parzzo 15 years ago

Just to point a fact from DVD commentary of Underworld. The first Underworld was a make-up, while the second the doing it with CGI.

[–] Nightlightknight 15 years ago

I must admit the transformation scene in the Howling was pretty terrifying, and if I had seen it as a kid I definitely would have had nightmares for a long time(as it was I found Nicholson's Joker really disturbing back then:p)

Overall I prefer the 80's effects, but for sheer practical transformation it has to be cgi, after all if it takes the werewolf that long to transform, anyone who wasn't terrified could have dispatched them during the excrutiatingly long transformation. Speaking of Nicholson, how does Wolf do?

Slightly changing the topic, do you guys prefer humanoid werewolves (human-wolf) or bestial lycantropes(wolf-man)? P[ersonally I find the concept of a an animal with human characteristics more uncanny and frightening. Something like AAWIP and AAWIL, but not the seamless 'loup-garou' of Blood and Chocolate.

Vi Veri Veniversum Vivus Vici
By the power of truth I, while living, have conquered the universe

[–] ymladdych 15 years ago

I also prefer makeup/puppet effects. Plain and simple, the current computer technology isn't good enough to cover all the subtle details that make things realistic to the human eye. I'm sure things will change down the road, but for now CG should only be viewed as a supplement to makeup/puppets, not a substitute.

[–] 15 years ago

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[–] 15 years ago

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