CGI, or Computer-Generated Imagery, is one of the most commonly used tools in the modern movie industry. Ever since the mid-1990s, CGI has regularly been used throughout all kinds of movies across all kinds of budgets and genres in order to bring to life things that would be too impossible or too costly to bring to life through practical means, such as the liquid form of the vicious T-1000 inTerminator 2 Judgment Day.
However, not every usage of CGI is nearly as impressive or useful as it should be. From big-budget Hollywood blockbusters such as Jabba the Hutt in theStar Wars Special Editionsto cheap ripoffs like the mechs inAtlantic Rim, there is no shortage of CGI atrocities. Here are the 10 sci-fi films with the worst CGI.
10’Deep Blue Sea' (1999)
Directed by Renny Harlin
Deep Blue Seais a science fiction horror film first released in 1999. Directed byRenny Harlin, who also directedDie Hard 2andTheLong Kiss Goodnight, the plot follows a research team, including Dr. Susan McCallister, played bySaffron Burrows, who also appeared inTroyandLaw & Order: Criminal Intent, and handler Carter Blake, played byThomas JaneofThe PunisherandThe Mistfame, that has to survive against an army of genetically altered sharks after the station becomes damaged.
Deep Blue Seahas very questionable CGI for its sharks. For example, during the infamous scene in which a corporate executive named Russell Franklin, played bySamuel L. JacksonofPulp FictionandThe Incrediblesfame, is giving a resounding speech to motivate the others, only to be eaten by a poorly rendered CGI shark. This scene not only exemplifies the lackluster CGI used for the sharks, but it also removes a lot of the menace that such creatures should have in a movie such as this, leaving the main threat of the movie to be more of a joke than a genuine threat to its characters.
Deep Blue Sea
9’The Thing' (2011)
Directed by Matthijs van Heijningen Jr.
The Thingis a science fiction horror film first released in 2011. It serves as a prequel to the 1982 film of the same name. Directed byMatthijs van Heijningen Jr.in his directorial feature debut, the story follows a scientist named Kate Lloyd, played byMary ElizabethWinsteadofScott Pilgrim vs. the WorldandSwiss Army Manfame, as she finds herself having to survive against an alien shapeshifter that has infiltrated the research base she is stationed at.
The Thing has particularly bad CGI effects for its titular creature. For instance, when Edvard, played byTrond Espen Seim, who also appeared inAmundsenandTroubled Water, is taken over and attacks the other researchers, he joins with Adam, played byEricChristian OlsenofNCIS: Los AngelesandNot Another Teen Moviefame, and as their faces join, Adam’s face becomes CGI in a very unconvincing way. This not only pales in comparison to the excellent practical effects of the original, but also lessens the fear that the alien antagonist can generate due to appearing more like a cheap video game cutscene than anything else.
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8’Spawn' (1997)
Directed by Mark A.Z. Dippé
Spawnis a science fiction superherofilm first released in 1997. It is based on the Image Comics character of the same name created byThe Amazing Spider-ManartistTodd McFarlane. Directed byMark A.Z. Dippé, who also directedHalloweentown HighandGarfieldGets Real, the plot follows the titular superhero, played byMichael Jai White, who also appeared inBlack DynamiteandThe DarkKnight, as he embarks on a quest of vengeance after returning from Hell.
Spawnhas bad CGI throughout, but especially for the demon Malebolgia, voiced byFrank WelkerofScooby-DooandTransformersfame, as his CGI model is very clearly unfinished throughout. In addition, during the climax during which Spawn is in Hell, there are a bunch of other Spawns performing basic movements against an obvious green screen background. The CGI being this incomplete throughout shows how insanely rushed not only the CGI is, but also how the film itself as a whole was fully rushed beyond all rational levels, leading to the ultimate quality of the final product suffering massively as a result.
7’The Lawnmower Man' (1992)
Directed by Brett Leonard
The Lawnmower Manis a science fiction horror film first released in 1992. It is based on the 1975 short story of the same name created byillustrious horror authorStephen King. Directed byBrett Leonard, who also directedMan-ThingandThe Dead Pit, the story follows a gardener named Jobe, played byJeff Fahey, who also appeared inLostandPlanet Terror, as he finds himself gaining extraordinary intelligence and antagonistic tendencies after a series of virtual reality experiments by scientist Dr. Lawrence Angelo, played byPierceBrosnanofJames BondandMrs. Doubtfirefame.
The Lawnmower Manhas extremely outdated CGI throughout. This is best seen in the virtual reality scenes. For example, when Jobe gains a digital form, this form is very blocky and pixelated, with very stiff body movements and equally stiff lip movements. This awkward presentation of Jobe’s final form leads to the distinct lack of tension, especially during the final act in which the antagonist is supposed to be at his most threatening, instead coming across as more of a VFX novelty at best.
The Lawnmower Man
6’Octopus' (2000)
Directed by John Eyres
Octopusis a science fiction horror film first released in 2000. Directed byJohn Eyres, who also directedProject ShadowchaserandJudge and Jury, the plot follows a submarine crew, led by Captain Jack Shaw, played byDavid Beecroft, who also appeared inDr.Quinn, Medicine WomanandCreepshow 2, that is attacked by a giant octopus that had been mutated by a nuclear warhead decades earlier.
Octopususes very cheap-looking CGI for its titular monster throughout. For instance, when the octopus attacks the cruise ship in the climax, its tentacles emerge from the water and latch onto the hull, with the choppiness and poor texturing of the creature on full display. This painfully lackluster CGI is made only more painful by the brief scenes in which it is brought to life with convincing practical effects, as these effects were abandoned in favor of CGI that appeared unconvincing, even by the standards of made-for-TV movies, leading to Octopus being completely forgotten amidst an endless sea of similarly cheap direct to TV films due to the subpar CGI that was chosen over the practical effects.
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5’Yonggary' (1999)
Directed by Hyung-rae Shim
Yonggaryis a science fiction kaiju film first released in 1999. It serves as a remake of the 1967 filmYongary, Monster of the Deep. Directed byHyung-rae Shim, who also directedThe Last GodfatherandTyranno’s Claw, the story follows Dr. Hughes, played byHarrison YoungofSaving Private RyanandHouse of 1000 Corpsesfame, as he tries to find a way to stop an alien invasion that uses the titular monster as its champion.
Yonggaryhas exceptionally poor CGI for its titular monster. For example, when Yonggary is first brought to life by the alien invaders, the transition from fossilized remains to living creature is extremely obvious, with its final appearance seeming borderline unfinished. This is further shown when Yonggary moves, as this leads to rubbery movements that lead to it appearing incredibly fake throughout. And this lack of quality is further exacerbated with the introduction of another monster called Cykor, who not only looks just as fake as Yonggary, but also looks incredibly similar to Yonggary only with minor alterations, adding a layer of laziness on top of the already awful designs and movements.
4’Ultraviolet' (2006)
Directed by Kurt Wimmer
Ultravioletis ascience fiction action filmfirst released in 2006. Directed byKurt Wimmer, who also directedEquilibriumandChildren ofthe Corn, the plot follows an assassin named Violet, played byMilla JovovichofResident EvilandThe Fifth Elementfame, as she seeks to protect a young boy named Six, played byCameron Bright, who also appeared inThe Butterfly EffectandThank You for Smoking.
The action inUltravioletis drastically hindered by the quality of its CGI throughout. For instance, during the motorcycle chase scene, Violet drives on the side of the wall, following which the scene abruptly goes from mostly practical effects to very obvious CGI for everything from the police cars to the glass that her bike cuts up to Violet herself. This abrupt change leads to the audience being taken out of the experience due to the sudden shift to this obvious CGI. Unfortunately, CGI of a similar quality is used throughout the rest of the action scenes, increasing the frustration of the audience to the point that any viewer is likely to give up on the experience.
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3’Atlantic Rim' (2013)
Directed by Jared Cohn
Atlantic Rimis a science fiction monster film first released in 2013. Directed byJared Cohn, who also directedVendettaandSharkSeason, the story follows a team of mech pilots, played byDavid ChokachiofBaywatchandPsycho Beach Partyfame,Jackie MooreofThe Black StringandBlackJacksfame, andTreachofOzandThe Family Businessfame, respectively, as they fight an alien invasion from beneath the sea.
Atlantic Rimhas extremely lazy CGI for its monsters and robots throughout. For example, during the fight scenes, the robots move and look like Rock’Em Sock’Em Robots, punching the poorly rendered monsters in a very slow and unexciting way, with some of these monsters clearly not even being finished before they were haphazardly forced into this blatant cash grab of the far superiorPacific Rim. This lack of action leads to a boring experience that should be full of fun if somewhat brainless monster fights instead of the lazy endeavor that this is, which is only further exacerbated by the robots all being the same palette-swapped model throughout.
Atlantic Rim
2’Battlefield Earth' (2000)
Directed by Roger Christian
Battlefield Earthis a science fiction film first released in 2000. It is an adaptation of the 1982 book of the same name byL. Ron Hubbard, best known for founding Scientology. Directed byRoger Christian, better known as an art director on films such asAlienandLife of Brian, the plot follows a man named Jonnie Goodboy Tyler, played byBarry PepperofSaving Private RyanandTrue Gritfame, as he leads the remnants of humanity in a revolution against the alien Psychlos.
Oddly enough for a big-budget sci-fi film,Battlefield Earthdoes not use very much CGI. When it does, however, the CGI is terrible. This is best seen when Teurel, played byJohn TravoltaofPulp FictionandFace/Offfame, uses a learning interface, which takes the form of a poorly animated and modeled alien with large body parts, to teach Jonnie how to mine. This ridiculous-looking alien suddenly taking up much of the space in what is supposed to be a serious scene exemplifies the inability ofBattlefield Earthto decide whether it wants to be earnest in its absurdities or laugh at them.
Battlefield Earth
1’The Amazing Bulk' (2012)
Directed by Lewis Schoenbrun
The Amazing Bulkis a science fiction superhero film first released in 2012. Directed byLewis Schoenbrun, who also directedDr.ChopperandAliens vs. Avatars, the story follows scientist Hank Howard, played byJordan Lawson, who also appeared inSomeone’sKnocking at the DoorandThe Gruesome Death of Tommy Pistol, who becomes a huge gamma-irradiated monster after injecting an experimental serum.
The Amazing Bulkhas by farsome of the worstCGI of all time. For instance, the titular hero not only looks like a deformed Thanos, not only does he run like an old lady holding a purse, but also the textures and model resemble something from an early PS2 game rather than anything else. This shows that not only is the quality of the CGI far below the level of even most low-budget direct to video movies, but also that the movie fails at being a ripoff ofThe Incredible Hulkby failing to invoke the visage of the chosen target of imitation.The AmazingBulk, therefore, is easily the sci-fi movie with the worst CGI.
