Man bursts into laughter while rewatching Titanic due to its ‘worst CGI in cinema history.’
Nearly 27 years after its release, James Cameron’s “Titanic” continues to captivate audiences and spark debates about its famous floating door dilemma.
While the film remains iconic, some elements, particularly the CGI, have aged less gracefully.
A recent rewatch has reignited discussions about what some are calling the “worst CGI in cinema history.
CGI controversy in Titanic’s cinema history
On social media, a user, who goes by @_readbetweenthelines_ shared a viral video showing Titanic over ‘worst CGI in cinema history’.
The video has the caption: “Titanic 1997 Awarded worst CGI in cinematography history!”
“Titanic” was renowned for its impressive use of practical effects, but it also featured CGI that reflects its 1990s origins.
One scene, in particular, became a focal point for critics of the film’s visual effects.
In an early sequence, Jack Dawson (Leonardo DiCaprio) and his friend Fabrizio (Danny Nucci) are seen admiring the view from the bow of the ship.
As the camera pans across the deck, the crowd of people is rendered using CGI that now appears noticeably outdated.
The CGI in this scene has become a source of amusement for many viewers.
In the comment selectoin, many viewers on social media have described the animation as reminiscent of “GTA San Andreas”. Additionally, they also compared the characters’ movements to those of “Skyrim NPCs.”
A recent social media post highlighting this scene called it “the worst piece of CGI in cinema history,” generating a new wave of online laughter and critique.
One person said: Wat do u mean the titanic didn’t happen plz say ur joking
While a third commented: Clearly the author of this piece has never seen the TV adaptation of Stephen King’s The Langoliers from 1995.
Another added: If only 4K discs & TVs were available 28 years ago so we could scrutinise every minute detail.
Some one else said: There is a difference between bad CGI and CGI that was limited due to limits on technology.
90s CGI in a classic film: context and comparisons
Evolving standards
It’s important to remember that the CGI in *Titanic* was nearly three decades old.
Given the technological limitations of the time, the visual effects were groundbreaking for their era.
In comparison, the CGI in “The Scorpion King*” from “The Mummy Returns” (2001) has been criticized even more harshly.
It is often cited for its rudimentary appearance, resembling early PS2 graphics.
Benchmarking Against Jurassic Park
When discussing CGI in the 1990s, “Jurassic Park” (1993) sets a high bar with its groundbreaking visual effects.
Spielberg’s dinosaurs remain a benchmark for realistic CGI, contrasting sharply with some of the more dated effects seen in “Titanic”.
While “Titanic” may have its share of laughable CGI moments, it’s crucial to view these in the context of their time.
Additionally, the film’s technological achievements and storytelling continue to overshadow its less impressive visual effects.
Despite some dated CGI, James Cameron’s film remains a landmark in cinema.
The occasional outdated effect is a small price to pay for its overall impact and legacy.