The 2000s brought CGI from its embryonic stage into its next phase with large scale battle sequences and monster movies becoming more and more realistic. Movies like the Lord of the Rings and Star Wars brought the wonders of Middle Earth and outer space to life, all with the help of CGI and special effects.
CGI has become integral to almost every genre movie, making the imagination of directors a reality with a click of a button. Motion capture technology has come a long way, opening new doors for creative directors. It all really got underway with these films in the 2000s.
Sin City
Frank Miller's noir graphic novel was brought to the big screen in 2005, and it didn't disappoint. With an impressive cast and a strong narrative structure, the movie holds up well with its artistic approach to embody the original noir look from the original novel. The sequels aren't as strong as the original, but still demonstrate a breakaway from mainstream film-making, and stand tall among similar works like Wes Anderon's movies.
Pirates of the Caribbean
Captain Jack Sparrow is one of Johnny Depp's most iconic roles, becoming a hit instantly and breathing new life into the classic ride at Disney World. One scene stands above them all, reawakening fears of the open water just like Jaws did in 1975. Captain Barbossa's crew walking beneath a ship sitting idly was nothing short of terrifying, moving slower and slower toward the camera as fans looked away in terror.
Spooky, scary Skeletons are one thing, but these were brought to life in ways that made the bony figures ten times scarier. If fans thought this was scary, they had an awakening in store with Davy Jones and the Kraken in the sequel.
300
The most testosterone-filled movie of the 2000s, 300 is another Frank Miller comic book brought to life. Depicting one of the most significant moments in Western world history, 300 is a special effects masterpiece with its stunning cinematography and blood-filled aesthetic.
Though a work of fiction, it made people think twice about the ferocity of the Spartans as one of the most powerful fighting forces the world has ever seen. Even if your hemophobia gets to you, movie fans can appreciate the artistic masterpiece 300 is, with its special effects on cocaine in this flick.
Beowulf
Entirely CGI, Beowulf brings to life one of the world's oldest stories, dating back over a thousand years. What's interesting is the method used to create Gollum from The Lord of the Rings was employed by the special effects department for Beowulf.
Motion capture technology was still in its early stages with movies like Beowulf and LOTR setting the standard for future flicks. Fan of the film or not, Beowulf is the definition of an epic story.
Transformers
Say what you want about Shia Labeouf (and Michael Bay for that matter) but 2007's Transformers sound design, CGI and special effects were something audiences had never seen before. Every cog and moving piece on the robots themselves looked nothing short of organic, bringing to life the robots in disguise. The sequels didn't do well with critics, but they were box office hits, financial dreams with the CGI department taking it up a notch with each entry. The sky is the limit with this series. Well, outer space and beyond in this case.
King Kong
Peter Jackson is primarily known for his version The Lord of the Rings, one of the most iconic trilogies in cinema history. However, many are quick to forget his other masterpiece released afterward, King Kong.
The horrors of Skull Island were brought back for a modern rendition with Jackson amplifying all the terrors that lay within the mysterious island. Andy Serkis's work as Gollum (and close friendship with Peter Jackson) landed him the role of playing Kong himself, and he didn't disappoint.
The Lord of the Rings
The music, the dialogue, the characters, everything about The Lord of the Rings is iconic and nostalgic. Who doesn't love a good LOTR marathon on a snow day? It's impossible to pick only one of these movies, as all three boast an impressive mix of special effects. Whether it's the Balrog showdown with Gandalf, the Battle of Helm's Deep, or the Battle for Minas Tirith, LOTR has a plethora of impressive effects. Not to mention the mythical creatures of J.R.R Tolkien's universe successfully brought to life. The orcs, ents, and dwarves made an immersive story even more lifelike with this successful cinematic adaption.
Avatar
James Cameron's Avatar is one of the highest-grossing movies of all time, so much so that Avengers: Endgame was released for a second time in an attempt to break that record.
But looking specifically at the special effects rather than box office success, Avatar employed every technological tool for its world creation. The result is an organic paradise filled with authentic alien species.
Hollow Man
Poor Kevin Bacon may not have gotten much screen time (Mainly because he was in a skin suit from head to toe) but his performance made up for it. Looking specifically at the transformation scene, this was something never seen before as Kevin Bacon's skin literally melts off of his body. Though not so great by today's standards, in 2000 this was something never seen before, amplifying the psychological scars of the movie.
Attack of the Clones
The Star Wars prequels are heavily criticized for their overuse of CGI and lack of real sets, but the majority of it was impressive for the time. Just look at the Battle of Geonosis. It is completely CGI but looks like the real thing. Even further, not a single clone outfit was made for an actor, they're all (just like Yoda) CGI with voiceovers giving them life.
Star Wars is one of the most ambitious film series in cinema history, with Lucas setting the standard on what Sci-fi and action flicks can do. The guy created his own special effects department for his movie. Now that's ambition.