Does CGI age worse than practical effects?

In most cases, yes. CGI is a technology-dependent approximation of reality, so as display technology and audience expectations improve, older CGI tends to look more artificial. Practical effects, since they physically exist and interact with real light, don't degrade in the same way.

What are the best examples of practical effects that still hold up?

The Thing (1982), Alien (1979), An American Werewolf in London (1981), Jurassic Park's animatronics (1993), The Dark Knight's truck flip (2008), and Mad Max: Fury Road (2015) are all widely regarded as practical effects that look just as impressive today.

Why does Christopher Nolan prefer practical effects?

Nolan believes CGI "tends to feel safe" and prefers practical effects because they create a sense of real danger and authenticity. His films, including Inception, Interstellar, The Dark Knight, and Oppenheimer, demonstrate how practical-first filmmaking produces spectacular, long-lasting results.

Can CGI and practical effects work together?

Absolutely. The best modern films use a hybrid approach: practical effects provide the physical foundation and CGI enhances or extends what's real. Mad Max: Fury Road and Dune (2021) are excellent examples of this collaborative method.

What makes some CGI age better than others?

CGI that relies on simpler visual concepts (like the chrome T-1000 in Terminator 2), uses digital effects sparingly alongside practical work, and focuses on artistry over spectacle tends to hold up much longer than CGI used as a blanket replacement for physical effects.

CGI

1 Posts Found

Practical Effects vs CGI: Which Ages Better and Why It Matters

08 Apr,2026 Filmmaking 8 Minutes