This year's DCEU release, The Flash, based on the speedster of the same name, received a lot of criticism for a number of reasons.
One of the film's major sectors to have attracted harsh backlash was its inclusion of poor CGI and VFX effects. The lackluster CGI became a focal point of controversy within the DC fandom with the montage featuring multiverse cameos from characters from other DC films leaving fans disappointed. VFX experts from the YouTube channel Corridor Crew analyzed the film's visual effects, pinpointing flaws in the Superman cameos and the utilization of 3D models.
The video opened with the team comparing the film's opening "baby shower" scene with Bollywood, because of its subpar and unrealistic final results. They suggested that tight production schedules, rather than the skill of its VFX team, may have contributed to the CGI's shortcomings. While the initial shots garnered praise, issues arose as the camera rotated around the characters. The transition revealed telltale signs of 3D modeling, resulting in a less convincing representation.
The analysis extended to the film's end when various Superman cameos in the Chronobowl, including Nicolas Cage's role from the unmade Superman Lives, Christopher Reeves' version from the '70s and '80s classics, and Henry Cavill's appearance from the DCEU. "When you see the first Nic Cage [shot], it’s like, ‘OK, cool, that looks like Nic Cage.’ But then the camera orbits around them, and you get the full view, and you’re like, ‘Oh, wait, this is a 3D model," said Sam Gorski, suggesting the shot should have been left there. "Same thing with the Christopher Reeve thing, too. It looks great at first, then it starts spinning around them."
Henry Cavill's CGI Was Criticized
The experts expressed dissatisfaction with the Cavill's CGI, likening it to the infamously bad CGI in Tom Hanks-Robert Zemeckis animated film, The Polar Express. "This is where it crosses the line, man," said Jordan Allen, highlighting that Cavill's body was sufficiently created, but the lack of vitality in Cavill's eyes detracted from the overall realism. Gorski said, "If Henry Cavill was there, he’d probably be making, like, a face… Human expression, that’s the term."
Director Andy Muschietti took an unconventional approach in The Flash, dismissing the idea of casting fan-favorite Grant Gustin from the television series, The Flash, in favor of CGI recreations of deceased or digitally de-aged DC actors. This departure from audience expectations fueled the audience's ignorance towards the film as it turned out to be a huge box office bomb. Coupled with challenges like Miller's double role, and numerous production delays, The Flash's visual effects encountered an array of obstacles, ultimately contributing to its polarizing reception.
The Flash is now streaming on Max.
Source: Corridor Crew