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| Still working on the design here, bare with me |
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Now, I have to be honest, I don't really care for visual effects. That isn't to say I hate them, but I am more of a story enthusiast and if that is done well, then the visual effects can and should be used to help enhance the film around it. That is why while I have my prediction, and at this point I think its a bankable one, I am having a sneaking suspicion one film, equally deserving mind you, might upset here. Before I go into that, however, let us take a look at the nominees (by the way, no Tree of Life? What the f*#! academy?):
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hollows pt. 2: Tim Burke, David Vickery, Greg Butler, and John Richardson
This is the third nomination of the HP team, a sign that the academy likes the bunch, but isn't in love since the other 5 weren't nominated. Still, its nice to see them make it in, given the final film is quite arguably their most ambitious in terms of effects and such, with the Battle of Hogwarts looking as amazing as it did. That being said, the only true chance I see it winning would be out of respect for it being the last HP film, which I just can't see happening.
Hugo: Rob Legato, Joss Williams, Ben Grossmann, and Alex Henning
This is a dark horse in this category, and is deserving of the win if it gets the gold statue. Its visual effects really enhanced the film in a way that it wasn't over the top, like one of the nominees I will mention later. Whether its the nightlife of Paris, a visual showcase of the legendary Georges Melies, or the intricate dream sequences, one involving a train falling off its tracks. While I don't generally care for the effects, I will say that I enjoyed the special effects in this film. There is also a clear love for the film, as its 11 nominations show, and its the sole Best Picture nomination (which is understandable if you look at the other nominations, minus the previous one of course). Don't be surprised if we see this film winning come Oscar night, but for now I see it just coming up short.
Real Steel: Erik Nash, John Rosengrant, Danny Gordon Taylor, and Swen Gillberg
I have a really big problem with this nomination. I don't think this doesn't belong in the category, it clearly uses mo-cap technology aptly for its robot fighting scenes (if not a tad clunky). The fact is, it took out a category that only did a beautiful showcase of the creation of the freaking universe. I feel this film robbed the Tree of Life of its deserving nomination, argh. That being said, it wasn't a terribly well liked film, more liked than some others, but not enough for it to merit Oscar attention. Also, it didn't really get that much of an audience so I felt the film would disappear, and it clearly didn't. That being said, I doubt it has any chance of winning here, so the nom is the award (ugh).
Rise of the Planet of the Apes: Joe Letteri, Dan Lemmon, R. Christopher White, and Daniel Barrett
There is so much going for this film to win that I am betting on this one to take it. Its visual mo-cap of the actors playing apes was very well done, it reminded me of the visual effects done on the aliens in Avatar. Its visual effects are seemless, anchored only more so by a strong performance by Andy Serkis. This film is also on a Visual Effects hot streak, so it is the strong frontrunner. While I am predicting it to win, it should be noted that this is the films only nomination, so I think its not as in a strong 1st as I had thought. Hugo could very well take it out in the end, but for now I am banking on those damn dirty apes.
Transformers: Dark Side of the Moon: Scott Farrar, Scott Benza, Matthew E. Butler, and John Frazier
A Hollywood blockbuster with sense-destructive visuals and sound designs. It was a lock since its debut, and with little competition as it has in previous years (or apparently little competition since the creation of the universe with beauty and style is considered "unworthy"), a nomination seemed more and more likely. However, I can count the ways this film won't win, but I will stick with the traditional, "The Academy hates Transformers." It was a terrible film, but it is hard to discredit its sound and visuals so those, like many Bay films, will get the nomination and not win, and I don't see this film changing this trend.
Will Win: Rise of the Planet of the Apes
Runner-up: Hugo
Should win: Hugo or Rise of the Planet of the Apes (I'm not picky)
Should've Been Nominated: Tree of Life
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