12 Films Ruined by Poor CGI

      It's difficult to view these films without noticing the poor CGI (computer-generated imagery).

      **The Scorpion King (2002)**

      Universal Pictures – Credit: C/O

      The Scorpion King stands out as a prime example of poor CGI. Released during the height of excessive and poorly executed CGI, it is one of many films from the early 2000s that have not aged gracefully. Images like the one above clearly illustrate why.

      Scenes that could have utilized practical effects (as opposed to CGI) were rendered using pixels without a valid reason, resulting in often cringe-worthy and laughable outcomes.

      Does that appear to be Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson to you?

      **Wonder Woman (2017)**

      Warner Bros. – Credit: C/O

      This film is frequently recalled when discussing otherwise solid movies diminished by poor CGI. It flows along pleasantly until an underwhelming showdown between Wonder Woman (Gal Gadot, above) and a mass of pixels meant to depict the evil god Ares.

      Director Patty Jenkins mentioned on Marc Maron’s podcast that the studio pressured her into incorporating the ridiculous CGI for Diana’s confrontation with Ares.

      “Sometimes I'll read reviews and... the only thing we universally received criticism about was the explosive finale,” she stated. “They noted, ‘DC does this all the time.’ In reality, that was the studio's decision. They insisted I do it, and it wasn't right. But that's fine.”

      **Justice League (2017)**

      Warner Bros. – Credit: C/O

      Some claim that anything can be achieved with CGI. However, they apparently can't remove Superman's mustache.

      As reported humorously by TheWrap in 2017, Warner Bros. recalled Superman actor Henry Cavill for reshoots of Justice League, but rival studio Paramount stated he could not shave the mustache he had for Mission: Impossible — Fallout, which he was also filming.

      As a result, the Justice League VFX team had to work diligently to digitally erase the mustache from various scenes, inflating the film's budget. It’s clear they put in their utmost effort.

      **Thor: Love and Thunder (2022)**

      Disney – Credit: C/O

      Don't fret, DC fans; Marvel films will also be subjected to some ridicule here.

      This Thor sequel is filled with stunning visuals — yet it also includes a peculiar sequence where Axl (Kieron L. Dyer, above) has an out-of-body experience through his floating head.

      Disney attempted to enhance this odd visual for the film’s release on Disney+, but many fans believed the updates... were not improvements.

      **Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania (2023)**

      Disney – Credit: C/O

      Nearly all of Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania is set in the Quantum Realm, which poses a significant issue when the Quantum Realm appears so weightless, artificial, and randomly designed.

      Following the film's release, several individuals involved voiced their concerns to Vulture about feeling rushed during production.

      This serves as a reminder that subpar CGI often isn't the fault of the artists but rather the higher-ups who fail to allocate enough time for quality work.

      **Green Lantern (2011)**

      Warner Bros. – Credit: C/O

      We'll allow the image above to convey the point.

      **The Irishman (2019)**

      Netflix – Credit: C/O

      At times, the decades of de-aging applied to Robert De Niro, Al Pacino, and Joe Pesci in The Irishman look impressive. Other times, not so much. A critic from RogerEbert.com commented on the shot above, where De Niro, in his seventies, is intended to appear in his mid-thirties:

      “The CGI is decent, but something feels off. De Niro’s face appears waxy, almost corpse-like — even though the skin seems warm, tight, and smooth. The youthful features are evident, yet some signs of age persist. It's reminiscent of bad Botox.”

      Such instances were particularly disheartening when people began using deepfake technology to recreate Irishman scenes cheaply — sometimes yielding results that looked superior to those in the film.

      Regardless, we still appreciate The Irishman.

      **Gemini Man (2019)**

      Paramount Pictures – Credit: C/O

      In Gemini Man, where Will Smith faces off against a younger version of himself, there are many impressive CGI moments — but also some subpar ones, like the scene above.

      Everyone involved in the film knows what younger Will Smith looks like — The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air is widely accessible in syndication. Yet, errors slipped through here and there.

      **Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull (2008)**

      Paramount – Credit: C/O

      Part of the appeal of the Indiana Jones films lies in their practical effects, such as the melting Nazis in Raiders of the Lost Ark and the burning stones in Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom