Best Digital Character Graphically - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

Carlas · 12-27-2002, 10:09 AM

Who do think is the best computer animated character? Not who your favourite is, but which one has the best graphics. Though all of them are very well done.I think Gollum was done extremely well, he looks so realistic!!!

busybee · 12-27-2002, 10:37 AM

Gollum is definately the best, and the worst animated characters I have seen were in Harry Potter #1 especially the Quidditch match and the Troll in the bathroom.

Marsyas · 12-27-2002, 10:44 AM

Gollum was definitely well done! Although Treebeard comes in a close second, considering the animators had to make a tree look (realistically) as if it had eyes, a mouth, a nose. It didn't seem so much like a cartoon or something. They did an incredible job on the whole thing.*~Marsyas~*

the mortal elf · 12-27-2002, 11:41 AM

I think Gollum was very well done, although he almost seemed goofy looking at times. I thought that the Oliphaunts were great, even though we didn't see a lot of them. I could never quite visualize them in the books because I knew I'd just picture normal elephants. So much for my imagination.

Arathiriel · 12-27-2002, 12:29 PM

The best CGI character I've seen thus far is definitely Gollum with JarJar Binks in the Star Wars prequel movies being the worst!!!

doug*platypus · 12-28-2002, 08:05 AM

Don't let your feelings for the character lead you astray from the question at hand! What makes you say that JarJar was a worse CG effect than the Oliphaunts? I thought the Oliphaunts were terrible! So were the Ents. I think that possibly they should have used big animatronic puppets for the Ents. What ever happened to that technology? With all the realistic sets and costumes that were made for the movies, I'm sure the Ents could have been much more believable. I think there's a tendency for people to see every new CG movie as better than the last. This is by no means true, especially if you look at a film like Final Fantasy, now several years old. Of course, I'm not an animator, and have a pretty unfounded opinion on the whole issue.Gollum was AMAZING - there's just no denying that. Especially his eyes. I think he's probably the most human CG character that has ever been created. Apart from him, though, I think the CG was sub-par. And the textures on JarJar and co were much more real - too real, almost. At surface level they looked more detailed than the actors they were next to! Also, how is Gollum's loincloth supposed to stand up to the rigours of cross-country travel? By all rights it should've been torn off on a tree halfway through Ithilien - yeeurghh!!

Iargwath · 12-29-2002, 03:26 AM

I happened to like treebeard. I thought he looked quite good. But i thought Gollum was indeed the best and i happened to like the Nazgul on the winged beasts this time. They were true to the how the concept designers visualised them, which was great to see. Have a <A HREF="http://img-fan.theonering.net/rolozo/images/howe/eow.jpg" TARGET=_blank>look</A>.

Maeglin · 12-29-2002, 04:56 AM

The cavetroll in FOTR was greatly made but I didn't like the look of it.Gollum was good too but I had some issues with his look also. Too human.And treebeard was to thin. I thought of him as more robust and human-alike but never the less he was the best I think.

Rose, the youngest · 12-29-2002, 12:30 PM

Gollum's human characteristics were wonderful! His movements and facial expressions illistrated the torment and fear that has haunted him for centuries. It was almost possible to read his emotions in his eyes, and for a CG amination, that is incredible. (Then again, it could be my imagination playing tricks on me!) As for the worst CG, I will stick to TTT and say that the Oliphants, althought well designed accourding to the imaginations that each of us are entitled to, were to briefly encountered to have a good look. Please note that out of TTT the Oliphants were the poorest, not all films even created.

Horse-Maiden of the Shire · 12-29-2002, 03:47 PM

Gollum was DEFINITELY the best CG, but Treebeard and the Ents came in a close second. the way they made Gollum, it looked like he was an actual person. The only fake-looking part with the Ents was when Merry and Pippin were sitting on the very top of Treebeard's head. That looked really fake. Did anyone notice that?

doug*platypus · 12-30-2002, 01:11 AM

The BalrogOh, man, I'm so sorry I forgot to mention the Balrog. The scene of him and Gandalf falling, and the explosion at Helm's Deep, were the two most amazing things I have ever seen in a movie! I was pretty disappointed by the Balrog in FOTR, I was like "Is that it? Is that all he's got? Just turn up and roar?" But I have to admit they did an incredible job on the TTT one. Especially the way that his body was like glowing embers! Ooh la la!Watched Star Wars Attack of the Clones again today, and once again I have to say that apart from Gollum and the Balrog, TTT CG was average at best.

12-30-2002, 01:44 AM

yep. gotta be Gollum he looked brilliant in TTT, very realistic.

12-27-2002, 10:37 AM	#2
busybee Haunting Spirit Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Mirkwood, Lothlorien...dream...actually the middle of nowhere...Mumbai Posts: 89	Gollum is definately the best, and the worst animated characters I have seen were in Harry Potter #1 especially the Quidditch match and the Troll in the bathroom. __________________ Pleeze does anyone know of a magical doorway or something to Middle Earth!?!?

12-27-2002, 10:44 AM	#3
Marsyas Animated Skeleton Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Rohandemar Posts: 38	Gollum was definitely well done! Although Treebeard comes in a close second, considering the animators had to make a tree look (realistically) as if it had eyes, a mouth, a nose. It didn't seem so much like a cartoon or something. They did an incredible job on the whole thing.<P>~Marsyas~ __________________ ~Marsyas~ ~Niere~ Some find strength in numbers, I find strength in solitude.

12-27-2002, 11:41 AM	#4
the mortal elf Wight Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: A long time ago, in a galaxy far, far away... Posts: 201	I think Gollum was very well done, although he almost seemed goofy looking at times. I thought that the Oliphaunts were great, even though we didn't see a lot of them. I could never quite visualize them in the books because I knew I'd just picture normal elephants. So much for my imagination. __________________ My imaginary friend says you have problems.

12-27-2002, 12:29 PM	#5
Arathiriel Shade of Carn Dûm Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: The Blessed Realm Posts: 284	The best CGI character I've seen thus far is definitely Gollum with JarJar Binks in the Star Wars prequel movies being the <B>worst</B>!!! __________________ 'I love him. He's like that, and sometimes it shines through, somehow. But I love him, whether or no.' - Samwise Gamgee

12-28-2002, 08:05 AM	#6
doug*platypus Delver in the Deep Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Aotearoa Posts: 960	Don't let your feelings for the character lead you astray from the question at hand! What makes you say that JarJar was a worse CG effect than the Oliphaunts? I thought the Oliphaunts were terrible! So were the Ents. I think that possibly they should have used big animatronic puppets for the Ents. What ever happened to that technology? With all the realistic sets and costumes that were made for the movies, I'm sure the Ents could have been much more believable. <P>I think there's a tendency for people to see every new CG movie as better than the last. This is by no means true, especially if you look at a film like Final Fantasy, now several years old. Of course, I'm not an animator, and have a pretty unfounded opinion on the whole issue.<P>Gollum was <B>AMAZING</B> - there's just no denying that. Especially his eyes. I think he's probably the most human CG character that has ever been created. Apart from him, though, I think the CG was sub-par. And the textures on JarJar and co were much more real - too real, almost. At surface level they looked more detailed than the actors they were next to! Also, how is Gollum's loincloth supposed to stand up to the rigours of cross-country travel? By all rights it should've been torn off on a tree halfway through Ithilien - yeeurghh!! __________________ But Gwindor answered: 'The doom lies in yourself, not in your name'.

12-27-2002, 10:09 AM	#1
Carlas Shade of Carn Dûm Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Lost in the Fog of the Downs Posts: 359	Best Digital Character Graphically Who do think is the best computer animated character? Not who your favourite is, but which one has the best graphics. Though all of them are very well done.<P>I think Gollum was done extremely well, he looks so realistic!!! __________________ 七転八起...

12-29-2002, 03:26 AM	#7
Iargwath Wight Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Sydney, Australia Posts: 236	I happened to like treebeard. I thought he looked quite good. But i thought Gollum was indeed the best and i happened to like the Nazgul on the winged beasts this time. They were true to the how the concept designers visualised them, which was great to see. Have a <A HREF="http://img-fan.theonering.net/rolozo/images/howe/eow.jpg" TARGET=_blank>look</A>. __________________ 'I waited patiently for the Lord; and He inclined to me, and heard my cry'-Psalm 40 My M-e Forum

12-29-2002, 04:56 AM	#8
Maeglin Wight Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Nan Elmoth Posts: 136	The cavetroll in FOTR was greatly made but I didn't like the look of it.<P>Gollum was good too but I had some issues with his look also. Too human.<P>And treebeard was to thin. I thought of him as more robust and human-alike but never the less he was the best I think. __________________ The fool speaks of what he knows. The wise knows what he speaks of.

12-29-2002, 12:30 PM	#9
Rose, the youngest Pile O'Bones Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: here, for now. Posts: 25	Gollum's human characteristics were wonderful! His movements and facial expressions illistrated the torment and fear that has haunted him for centuries. It was almost possible to read his emotions in his eyes, and for a CG amination, that is incredible. (Then again, it could be my imagination playing tricks on me!)<BR>As for the worst CG, I will stick to TTT and say that the Oliphants, althought well designed accourding to the imaginations that each of us are entitled to, were to briefly encountered to have a good look. <BR>Please note that out of TTT the Oliphants were the poorest, not all films even created. __________________ here in the realms of fantacy do i find my only escape from the harsh realities of the real world.

12-29-2002, 03:47 PM	#10
Horse-Maiden of the Shire Ghost Prince of Cardolan Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Chillaxin' with Glorfindel-441 miles on the RtR Posts: 1,197	Gollum was DEFINITELY the best CG, but Treebeard and the Ents came in a close second. the way they made Gollum, it looked like he was an actual person. The only fake-looking part with the Ents was when Merry and Pippin were sitting on the very top of Treebeard's head. That looked really fake. Did anyone notice that? __________________ "There's a big...machine in the sky...some kind of electric snake...coming straight at us." "Shoot it," said my attorney. "Not yet...I want to study its habits."

12-30-2002, 01:11 AM	#11
doug*platypus Delver in the Deep Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Aotearoa Posts: 960	<B>The Balrog</B><P>Oh, man, I'm so sorry I forgot to mention the Balrog. The scene of him and Gandalf falling, and the explosion at Helm's Deep, were the two most amazing things I have ever seen in a movie! I was pretty disappointed by the Balrog in FOTR, I was like "Is that it? Is that all he's got? Just turn up and roar?" But I have to admit they did an incredible job on the TTT one. Especially the way that his body was like glowing embers! Ooh la la!<P>Watched Star Wars Attack of the Clones again today, and once again I have to say that apart from Gollum and the Balrog, TTT CG was average at best. __________________ But Gwindor answered: 'The doom lies in yourself, not in your name'.

12-30-2002, 01:44 AM	#12
Nate Guest Posts: n/a	yep. gotta be Gollum he looked brilliant in TTT, very realistic.