Terminator 2's Groundbreaking Effects Were Recreated By A VFX Studio
The gang from Corridor Digital is back at it, and their love of visual effects both classic and modern is on full display. In a more practical application of their skills than their recent efforts to restore Henry Cavill's mustache in Justice League, this time they've come together to recreate the still-impressive special effects seen in 1991's sci-fi classic Terminator 2: Judgment Day.
Not content to simply create something akin to the style seen in Terminator 2, or even to attempt to outdo it, the Corridor Crew's real goal was to use modern techniques to replicate the effects with as much accuracy as possible. This means that, if they do it all correctly, their re-shoot of Robert Patrick's chilling T-1000 morphing through a set of prison bars should look identical to the original scene, aside from the completely different face. (Hey, no judgment. It wouldn't exactly be easy to afford Patrick himself on a YouTuber's salary.) Perhaps the most interesting part of this is how they use two different methods. One group uses practical effects (meaning real-life actors and elements) with some computer-generated adjustments, while the other goes full computer-generated imagery, creating a fully CGI version of the actor for the shot.
After a comedic opening skit that might throw some viewers off with its low-tech use of tinfoil as a tongue-in-cheek attempt at practical effects, the gang got to work paying homage to Terminator 2. Just like in their video exploring the full scale of the titans from Attack on Titan, viewers will notice how they explain everything they do without talking down to the audience, which is presumably helpful for anyone watching who wants to do something like this themselves. Corridor Crew (Corridor Digital's more entertaining and behind-the-scenes-focused channel where this video was posted) seems to love the idea of teaching while its team members entertain, giving viewers the names of programs they use and techniques they employ. It's sort of like if Bill Nye made a show about special effects.
An interesting aspect of this particular video comes from how meticulously the team members work to maintain accuracy. Not only do they want to replicate the Terminator 2 effects themselves, but also the shortcomings and "mistakes" of the technology at the time. This means they actively have to hold back from small details like reflections and shadows in the prison bars (since they weren't a practical effect in the original). Just like any grouchy old teacher from some classic anime will say, sometimes holding back is harder than using full strength.
Their work paid off, from the recreation of the liquid metal effects down to the perfect replication of the actual lighting from the scene. What's remarkable is not only how comparatively mundane the finished shot ends up looking (by design), but how many tiny elements that seem unremarkable by themselves have to come together in order to pull it all off. It's an incredible achievement, and this team may have outdone themselves after pulling off their own version of The Mandalorian's Deepfake Luke Skywalker.
Videos like this are great little resources for anyone looking to get into visual effects. Not only are they entertaining, but they also convey real information about the industry in a palatable way. Hopefully, this video and many like it will inspire new generations of technically-minded folks to follow their dreams.
Terminator 2: Judgment Day is available to stream on Amazon Prime Video.
Source: Corridor Crew/YouTube
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June 19, 2021
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