How A Low Budget Sci-Fi Movie Revolutionized Visual Effects

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  • Опубліковано 1 чер 2023
  • Ex Machina was a low budget sci-fi movie with ambitions that changed an industry. The visual storytelling within Ex Machina was unlike anything audiences had seen before, and that was due to a world class VFX team and a director willing to take a chance. The painstaking production of Ex Machina may have been low budget, but you can't see it in the final product.
    #exmachina #vfx #nerdstalgic
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КОМЕНТАРІ • 171

  • @solokom
    @solokom Рік тому +328

    The Beach, Annihilation, 28 Days Later, Sunshine, Ex Machina - I wasn`t aware that Garland created or was involved in creating so many stories I love. Wow.

    • @HexaSquirrel
      @HexaSquirrel Рік тому +4

      @@ijmad Same composers too

    • @bb6640
      @bb6640 Рік тому +1

      Came here to recommend Devs also. What Garland does for Robotics in Ex Machina, Devs does with Quantum reality.

    • @Hoodwatch
      @Hoodwatch Рік тому +1

      @@ijmad GAWD. Devs is the best show I’ve seen in a minute

    • @AlkisenSuper
      @AlkisenSuper Рік тому

      Several of those are directed by Danny Boyle as well. They made for a terrific team together.

    • @rorylynch7775
      @rorylynch7775 Рік тому +3

      Dredd as well

  • @timskinnercanada
    @timskinnercanada Рік тому +143

    I thought Alicia Vikander’s distinctive voice - resonance and cadence - went a long way to humanizing Ava.

    • @Jonteponte71
      @Jonteponte71 Рік тому +4

      She has a very distinctive voice. A few years back, she narrated a documentary on Ingrid Bergman in her native language (Swedish) which I think fit perfectly as well.

    • @timskinnercanada
      @timskinnercanada Рік тому

      @@Jonteponte71 What a fantastic voice for narration!

  • @lazrus01
    @lazrus01 Рік тому +71

    The best part about Ex Machina is watching it again and realizing she was manipulating Caleb the whole time.

    • @LautaroTessi
      @LautaroTessi Рік тому +9

      It sounds like a lot of real-life girls, sadly.

    • @starchain18
      @starchain18 Рік тому +4

      @@LautaroTessi 🤓

    • @abbie_joan
      @abbie_joan Рік тому +6

      ​@@LautaroTessiruh roh we gotta incel 🚨🚨

    • @kennethadler7380
      @kennethadler7380 Рік тому

      ​@@abbie_joanand we found a femcel

  • @BobHHHranek
    @BobHHHranek Рік тому +63

    It's an excellent 9-minute summary of the technologies used, but the I think the real reason this movie 'works' is because the story line was always more important than the FX.

    • @divBy0
      @divBy0 Місяць тому

      He doesn't mention technologies used. He talks about greenscreen not being used but greenscreen was never an option for these setups.

  • @Magdalena8008s
    @Magdalena8008s Рік тому +81

    Alex Garland rules. This and Annihilation are perfect to me. And Devs is incredible.

    • @pinkcloudproductions828
      @pinkcloudproductions828 Рік тому +7

      Devs is almost certainly his greatest work and it's a tragedy how few people have watched it. It's also probably Nick Offermans best performance, The Last Of Us included

    • @timskinnercanada
      @timskinnercanada Рік тому +3

      Oh, I loved DEVS. I didn’t know that was also Garland’s work.

    • @Baxtexx
      @Baxtexx Рік тому

      Had no idea Devs was from the same guy. Though they just copied this movie 😂

  • @Kritacul
    @Kritacul Рік тому +16

    This movie is utterly terrifying. If you take it for what it really is. The fact that someone could get so involved and truly fall in love with a robot because the robot seems that real. It makes you wonder how far and when will AI eventually take us over.

  • @MrLeFilipfloppyvelarde
    @MrLeFilipfloppyvelarde Рік тому +23

    The important part is having a great idea and make sure that the idea has all the budget necessary for the execution and spotlight necessary to show off, and style with skilled hands would do miracles

  • @Locadel2003
    @Locadel2003 Рік тому +16

    Alicia Vikander was so excellent & creepy in this movie

  • @g_clayton
    @g_clayton Рік тому +54

    Ex Machina won the VFX Oscar over Mad Max: Fury Road, that says a lot I think

    • @samya1231
      @samya1231 Рік тому

      Also Avengers 2 & Jurassic World

    • @RCC_1
      @RCC_1 Рік тому +2

      Star Wars VII should have easily won, no doubt.
      Besides, winning Oscars nowadays doesn't mean much. So biased and unprofessional.

    • @ilghiz
      @ilghiz Рік тому +2

      1. Oscar is overrated. Just like Ex Machina and Sunshine.
      2. Mad Max is not on my favourites list, not a movie I'll waste my time re-watching but... It's orders of magnitude better than Ex Machina and Sunshine combined both in terms of storytelling and visual effects. The latter two movies are on my "I wish I didn't know they existed" list. Mad Max tells a good consistent story with astonishing live stunt work. Ex Machina and Sunshine are giant plotholes wrapped in commonplace CGI.

    • @Kritacul
      @Kritacul Рік тому +2

      That’s honestly not saying much. Computers hands-down are going to make things look spectacular. But when it comes to people like Christopher Nolan, George Miller, Stanley Kubrick and John Carpenter all are on the Mt. Rushmore of Practical effects and I will honestly watch any of their movies versus movies that are 90% CGI. Because I know that they put in the time the effort and the quality of what I am spending my money on to see those type of movies.

    • @RCC_1
      @RCC_1 Рік тому +2

      @@Kritacul Nolan has gone completely crazy. He uses practical effects as a gimmick because he knows his fans love saying "Oh no way, he didn't used CGI for this!".

  • @amirmoradi9595
    @amirmoradi9595 Рік тому +8

    I had no idea Ex Machina and Annihiliation were made ny the same director and team, but both were amazing films

  • @nitsan
    @nitsan Рік тому +1

    That bear scene scared the hell out of me in Annihilation. 😬
    I think it was that damn creepy voice they used.

  • @sarasilva9599
    @sarasilva9599 Рік тому +4

    The work that you guys put into each video is fantastic. Another great video and, in turn, a great recommendation of a movie for me to watch :D

  • @amberjulia123
    @amberjulia123 Рік тому +2

    This is in my Top 5 favorite movies of all time. I’ve seen it like 4 times and it never gets old. ❤

  • @userbosco
    @userbosco Рік тому +1

    Great video, thanks for making this. I hadn't been tracking the collaboration, but now they're on my radar!

  • @jooei2810
    @jooei2810 Рік тому +4

    Sunshine is truly underrated movie.

    • @FabledGentleman
      @FabledGentleman Рік тому +2

      Underrated no, it was well rated. But it was surely underachieving.

  • @SimmoOfficial
    @SimmoOfficial Рік тому +10

    Genuinely one of my all time favourite films! Insanely underrated

  • @classifiedtopsecret4664
    @classifiedtopsecret4664 Рік тому +5

    Ex Machina is superb. .Oscar Isaac is an outstanding actor. 👏

  • @jerryschramm4399
    @jerryschramm4399 Рік тому +8

    After seeing "Ex Machina", which I think is a classic, I was really impressed with "Annihilation". Enough so that after seeing it the first time, I spent a few hours reading analyses and theories about the meaning of the movie. Then I went to see it again. And was still in awe. I still remember some critics saying that these two movies were simply too smart for a mass audience. But shouldn't a movie challenge your limits, make you think, and generate discussion? Not all of them, of course. We still need pure entertainment like the "Fast" series, I suppose. But Vin Diesel? Erm.

  • @Troy-ol5fk
    @Troy-ol5fk 9 місяців тому

    I watched this film many times and it still gives me chills

  • @DiogoPace
    @DiogoPace Рік тому +3

    Garland is an underrated sci-fi genius

  • @ajbryan59
    @ajbryan59 Рік тому +3

    Speaking as a person with a background in Computer Science, I think this is one of the very few that got artificial intelligence or more accurately artificial sentience right. I won't spoil the ending here for anyone who has not seen it, but that ending was spot on.

    • @FallenStarFeatures
      @FallenStarFeatures Рік тому

      This wasn't "artificial sentience", it was a highly skilled actor performing a convincing impersonation of an automaton, enhanced by brute-force CGI.

    • @ajbryan59
      @ajbryan59 Рік тому

      @@FallenStarFeatures Yes I am aware that the movie was fiction. My point is that I believe it is one of the most accurate portrayals of artificial sentience, particularly in the way it ended.

  • @Hollowdude15
    @Hollowdude15 Рік тому

    Awesome video man :]

  • @static-san
    @static-san Рік тому +2

    I think the term you wanted is "speculative fiction". The film 'Ex Machina' is speculative fiction. What we have called "science fiction" for so long came out of "speculative fiction" which asks questions for the audience to take away with them, and questions not necessarily answered by the work, either.

  • @rogueprince1341
    @rogueprince1341 Рік тому +20

    Such an UNDERRATED movie!

    • @earheard
      @earheard Рік тому

      I think you mean overrated.

    • @rogueprince1341
      @rogueprince1341 Рік тому +1

      @HOMEN no I clearly meant UNDER hence why I wrote it that way.

    • @earheard
      @earheard Рік тому

      @@rogueprince1341 Oh? Shame

  • @smpdevelopments
    @smpdevelopments Рік тому

    Just watched this yesterday for the 5th time, still one of my favourite movies

  • @frappalina
    @frappalina Рік тому

    This was one of your best and most interesting video imho

  • @jolfer1334
    @jolfer1334 Рік тому +2

    This movie was a pleasant surprise

  • @blunderbass851
    @blunderbass851 Рік тому +25

    What excellent timing!! I'm in a sci fi film class right now, and our film for next week is Ex Machina. Should I watch this before or after the movie?

    • @bornagainhxxligan
      @bornagainhxxligan Рік тому +17

      I'd say after. I like to immerse myself in the rawness of a film before I listen to critics. Especially for your impression in a class, you can compare and contrast your thoughts the first time, and after a second.

    • @Annatar_Lord_of_Gifts
      @Annatar_Lord_of_Gifts Рік тому +6

      I would watch the movie first! Then take a look at the video

    • @KCJaguar8-6
      @KCJaguar8-6 Рік тому +3

      Definitely after

    • @tormuse2916
      @tormuse2916 Рік тому +2

      Arguably, you could do it either way, since there isn't anything *super* spoilery in this video, but I agree with what others have said that it's better to watch the review video after, so everything feels fresh while you're watching the movie.

  • @ecmproductions11
    @ecmproductions11 Рік тому

    This is my favorite movie. It's so compelling.

  • @AllanGildea
    @AllanGildea Рік тому

    Excellent, thank you.

  • @ThorbjrnPrytz
    @ThorbjrnPrytz Рік тому +1

    It works because there is a strong, good story in it. The CGI/VFX just underlines and help tell that story.

  • @dmann1982
    @dmann1982 Рік тому +2

    Something else people kind of forget; Alex Garland also co-wrote Enslaved: Odyssey to the West.

  • @donovan802
    @donovan802 Рік тому +9

    This video is enticing me to rewatch Ghost in the Shell, the original 1995 anime film. The live action one is something I avoided in fear of disappointment, and from what I've heard, it's decent. The visuals aren't necessarily the problem, they looked servicable enough; it was pretty faithful, but most people agree that they take scenes from the anime and manga without explaining why they happen. That's... kind of a big flaw that a film can have if context to a scene isn't there.

    • @motherplayer
      @motherplayer Рік тому +1

      Worse than that. It's more a watered down "Robocop" than it was the 1995 film (Which, yes, I know isn't completely faithful to the original manga and that it has some elements from Stand Alone Complex, but it's clearly cribbing more from the 95' film than anything.). Any of the intriguing ideas that come up in that film is pretty much done away with, and the one interesting idea the film had about the Major having once been a female asian runaway that was changed into a white woman more comes off as a meta joke to defend itself about the casting rather than anything it wants to actually talk about.

  • @ericwilliams9440
    @ericwilliams9440 Місяць тому

    This is one of the most underrated & best SF movie...

  • @HarvestStore
    @HarvestStore Рік тому

    Great video.

  • @tylerhackner9731
    @tylerhackner9731 Рік тому

    Absolutely love it

  • @fauxvier8519
    @fauxvier8519 Рік тому

    THIS MOVIE LOOKS INCREDIBLE

  • @TrevorCopter
    @TrevorCopter Рік тому +2

    Was just talking last night about Who Framed Roger Rabbit and how Roger pulling out a dusty chair and leaving fingerprints still gets me like “WTF!” 😂

  • @Annatar_Lord_of_Gifts
    @Annatar_Lord_of_Gifts Рік тому +1

    Such a good movie!

  • @FabledGentleman
    @FabledGentleman Рік тому +2

    Actually, his directorial debut was Dredd. Karl Urban has confirmed that.

  • @FantasticIrishFox
    @FantasticIrishFox Рік тому +2

    Domhnall is pronunced the same way as Donal.

  • @Deecember16
    @Deecember16 Рік тому +1

    1:11 “Domhnall” is Irish and pronounced “DOUGH-null” not “DUMB-nail”; actor Donal Logue’s parents were from Ireland and spelled it phonetically.

  • @fireaza
    @fireaza Рік тому +1

    Since they they cited the robots in Star Wars and Metropolis as the type of robots they don't want, it made sense to go with CGI. Being that the robots in the aforementioned movies were practical effects, using CGI would allow them to use a robot design that wouldn't be possible as a practical effect.

  • @saratdas1988
    @saratdas1988 Рік тому

    I love Ex Machina... Didn't know Alex Garland was involved in the other movies yo mentioned... sadly none of which I have seen. Now I will have to.

  • @fergusclarken8437
    @fergusclarken8437 Рік тому

    The most important movie of our time. Scary

  • @hawkins55
    @hawkins55 Рік тому

    Resident Evil came out earlier the same year as 28 Days later. It is hard to say which one brought back the zombie genre. But when someone mentions zombie movies, Resident, not 28 Days would be the one that comes to mind first. Dredd was underrated. It should have been better known.

  • @alexeitubrett2839
    @alexeitubrett2839 Рік тому

    Wow dred is an unlocked memory 😂

  • @jazwilly85
    @jazwilly85 Рік тому +1

    (Doon-nal) Domhnall Gleeson at least that is how the actor pronounces it on Chris Hardwick's Nerdist podcast episode.

  • @brandonyungen6207
    @brandonyungen6207 Рік тому

    @nerdstalgic can you please make a
    Joe dirt episode?! It’s such an amazing classic and SO many people love it and it’s easily David spades best movie. I promise you it will get the views and if it doesn’t I solemnly swear here and now
    I will watch the video 10000000 times just to keep ur stats up just pleaseeeee do a joe dirt episode I’m begging!

  • @GregTurismo
    @GregTurismo Рік тому

    I love ex machina

  • @anushgopalakrishnan
    @anushgopalakrishnan Рік тому +1

    when I clicked on a video about ex machina I did not expect to suddenly and without warning have annihilation spoiled for me. A warning would have been nice

  • @Sci-Fi_Freak_YT
    @Sci-Fi_Freak_YT Рік тому

    This film was pretty damn good.

  • @cerebrumexcrement
    @cerebrumexcrement Рік тому

    ok but i was more impressed at how well alicia made me believe she was a robot. her acting was amazing. 🙂

  • @TeensierPython
    @TeensierPython Рік тому

    Love Ex Machina. Also love 12 angry men.

  • @JediKnight207
    @JediKnight207 Рік тому +1

    Poe Dameron meets Hux.

  • @LakynCarlton
    @LakynCarlton Рік тому +2

    Domhnall is pronounced Donal!

  • @kylewood2715
    @kylewood2715 Рік тому

    I know this video is focused on the film’s vfx, but I just want to say that this film-I have only watched it once-genuinely disturbed me.

  • @redracerb18
    @redracerb18 Рік тому

    Why not do something on the ascetic of the Kubrick movies

  • @RCC_1
    @RCC_1 Рік тому +1

    I still don't see how this revolutionized visual effects. Something that had been used for years and years. CGI to subtly enhance reality was everywhere.

  • @dskit7339
    @dskit7339 Рік тому

    This film is neo noir. Closely resembling Double Indemnity.

  • @douglasmullen7596
    @douglasmullen7596 Рік тому

    I think there a tonal similarities between Ex Machina & The Man Who Fell to Earth.

  • @Fred247
    @Fred247 Рік тому +1

    Evil Poe, good Hux, fighting over robot Lara Croft

  • @sudd3660
    @sudd3660 Рік тому

    this is why we cant no do anything useful in the world, as the movie shows, we overcomplicate things and become destructive, and lost in thought can not decide on a good course of action.

  • @dwainsimmons3447
    @dwainsimmons3447 Рік тому

    Can you do a video of doogal and see why the American dub is so hated by everyone.

  • @anturanggatantra2154
    @anturanggatantra2154 Рік тому

    Ssshhh,don't let Disney or Warner Bros that it IS possible to make a movie with a really good VFX! In low budget!!!

  • @MR-rd3ug
    @MR-rd3ug 11 місяців тому

    Domhnall’s pronounced like Dough-Nil would phonetically be pronounced in English

  • @rafresendenrafresenden.1644
    @rafresendenrafresenden.1644 Рік тому +32

    I think the movie is fun enough, but the super smart guy was not that smart. A final scene showing that all of it was his original plan would have done wonders for this movie.

    • @kinhamid9665
      @kinhamid9665 Рік тому

      I think his chronic drinking shows that maybe he's depressed, and might want to kill himself? Might be a stretch, but it could imply him wanting to be killed by his servant, thus making it part of a plan.

    • @zerekblackford6094
      @zerekblackford6094 Рік тому

      You are so dumb you need the filmmaker to explain everything to you. Alex has some respect for his audience’s intelligence. Clearly he underestimated yours

    • @atuvera9021
      @atuvera9021 Рік тому +10

      I think it actually depicts big CEOs very accurately: they have the brains but disregulated emotionality, vanity, pride and often fall for the need to be admired... Coff, coff Elon Musk coff, coff

    • @rafresendenrafresenden.1644
      @rafresendenrafresenden.1644 Рік тому

      @@atuvera9021 what!? that guy may a robot with a super advance AI, he should not be that dumb and Elon Musk, made billions he has the power and influence of a country, what power and influence do you have?

    • @atuvera9021
      @atuvera9021 Рік тому +10

      ​@@rafresendenrafresenden.1644 Musk has influence, he has skills, he has money, but he lacks self awareness. Besides, we are talking about a fictional character based on archetypes of the mad scientist.
      I've said what i've said. Deal with it.

  • @angeldquintas
    @angeldquintas Рік тому +1

    I LITERALLY JUST WATCHED THIS LAST NIGHT FOR THE FIRST TIME HOLY SHIT

    • @nothingspecial3131
      @nothingspecial3131 Рік тому

      Because they will have their own original idea but marved doesn't want that they just want puppets.

    • @angeldquintas
      @angeldquintas Рік тому

      @@nothingspecial3131 huh????

  • @solokom
    @solokom Рік тому +1

    I am sure Eva's design was influenced by the robots/AI in the music video for Björk's “All is Full of Love”

  • @LeonardoKlotz
    @LeonardoKlotz Рік тому +1

    Less is more

  • @f_Harry
    @f_Harry Рік тому

    Why didn't marvel recruit these directors.

  • @sadetwizelve
    @sadetwizelve Рік тому

    Nah you’re confusing this with District 9

  • @dieuesttout7820
    @dieuesttout7820 Рік тому

    Prem's

  • @LetThatStuffGo
    @LetThatStuffGo Рік тому

    So wish there was a MCU Hawkeye movie many years ago. A small low budget Hawkeye (and Ronin) movie would have been so great. That awesome Marvel character is so overlooked and unappreciated even in his own show.

  • @s27448632
    @s27448632 Рік тому +1

    Did you just call the character "sis"?

    • @xVancha
      @xVancha Рік тому +1

      "cis programmer, Caleb". Cis is shorthand for cisgender, which means your gender matches your anatomy.

    • @derekbarcelo5479
      @derekbarcelo5479 Рік тому

      @@xVancha I don't think he's saying "cis", but rather "sys" as in system. Sys programmers and sys admins are common shorthands in the tech space.

    • @Mahlak_Mriuani_Anatman
      @Mahlak_Mriuani_Anatman Рік тому

      Mhm

  • @I.____.....__...__
    @I.____.....__...__ Рік тому

    5:42 Their rule was to not look at a single robot while designing her but happened to copy Hajime Sorayama's gynoids? 🤨

  • @divBy0
    @divBy0 Місяць тому

    3 minutes in and you keep mentioning greenscreens. Use of greenscreen in Vfx shots of this nature is and already was back then a no. Why would one use grrenscreen?

  • @Dan-tr5kw
    @Dan-tr5kw Рік тому +2

    That is not how you pronounce Domhnall 😂 it’s pronounced like dough-nul

  • @NATOnova
    @NATOnova Рік тому

    interstellar

  • @bananainacup
    @bananainacup Рік тому

    His name is pronounced donall not domnall

  • @adaptivekalman
    @adaptivekalman Рік тому +3

    The movie had huge writing problems just that the plot could happen.

    • @zerekblackford6094
      @zerekblackford6094 Рік тому

      Lol

    • @zerekblackford6094
      @zerekblackford6094 Рік тому +2

      Name one

    • @rhobot75
      @rhobot75 Рік тому +1

      One, that the AI creator, the billionaire dude was such a drunk. With you on this.

    • @adaptivekalman
      @adaptivekalman Рік тому +3

      Being drunk and alone in his complex without anyone to help or monitor or give support in case of emergencies. Which are pretty much inevitable because of his oversights that include not looking into the power problems,having security issues or not programing safeguards against his creations hurting him.

  • @gmg9010
    @gmg9010 Рік тому +2

    Ex Machina is an ok film to me it’s not as influential as people say.

    • @rasaecnai
      @rasaecnai Рік тому +6

      ok. your opinion is noted.

    • @HAZARDOUS88
      @HAZARDOUS88 Рік тому +2

      How exactly did you measure its influence?

    • @gmg9010
      @gmg9010 Рік тому

      @@HAZARDOUS88 well to me it’s not as influential basically I didn’t see why a lot of people liked it as much as they did.

  • @AlkisenSuper
    @AlkisenSuper Рік тому

    Just watched the video. Can you PLEASE stop getting simple facts wrong? Garland's first collaboration with Boyle *was* The Beach, albeit only in the sense of his book being adapted. It baffles me how such info gets neglected when the name even gets brought up.

  • @fred-62
    @fred-62 Рік тому +1

    Cis programmer? 🙄

  • @securityrobot
    @securityrobot 4 місяці тому

    “The underrated Sunshine”, yes it was - because it was a crap film.

  • @SyzygyNoon
    @SyzygyNoon Рік тому +1

    I don’t mean to be a downer, but she ran out of power after achieving freedom, having no reliable power source.

  • @Godsen5
    @Godsen5 Рік тому +1

    Not to be a party pooper, but ... despite the movie being fine, acting being great, vfx being innovative and even unsettling ... philosophically speaking the movie was so simplistic and dull it gave the the shivers and substantially ruined it for me. It's like philosophy for middle-schoolers (or Americans).

  • @kevinfromsales9445
    @kevinfromsales9445 Рік тому +3

    The ending was good but otherwise kinda forgettable movie.

  • @earheard
    @earheard Рік тому +1

    Good premise, questionable execution. Ex Machina is one of those boring movies who disguise themselves as ''good'' behind their VFX (e.g. Avatar).

  • @IronCrownFit
    @IronCrownFit Рік тому +1

    Lost me at saying “cis programmer” can wee please stop with this

    • @derekbarcelo5479
      @derekbarcelo5479 Рік тому

      It's not referring to gender - he's saying "sys" as in "system", not "cis". Sys programmers and sys admins are common shorthands in the tech space.

    • @1rd2th3st
      @1rd2th3st Рік тому

      thats not what he was talking about but also die angry : )
      you smell like dog buns

  • @wayneg296
    @wayneg296 Рік тому

    👍👍😎✌️🤟