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Creative Bloq

Technology

Joe Foley

Is this really why CGI looks worse now than 20 years ago?

Andrew Price Davy Jones

Images showing VFX for Davy Jones in Pirates of the Caribbean and Avatar.

CGI and other VFX have transfixed movie viewers over the years, making us believe in astounding characters and seemingly impossible fantasy worlds (see our pick of the best CGI movie moments for highlights). Techniques have changed over time, driven by advances in technology but also by audience expectations and industry dynamics.

Over that time, the term 'CGI' has often been used disparagingly despite there being so many great movies full of CGI. But now there seems to be a belief that CGI has somehow got worse after peaking around ten to 20 years ago with movies like Avatar (2009), and a YouTuber's theory about why this might be is generating some intense debate.

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