If you haven't seen Rise of the Planet of the Apes yet, go see it !!
I have just recently been and thoroughly enjoyed it.
Starring Andy Serkis as the lead character "Ceasar" the ape. Of course as his role uses the technology of motion capture, you are not going to recognise him in the local super market !
Andy also played Gollum and the Gorilla in King Kong.
Motion capture allows the actor to be in the scene acting as the character, but rather than prosthetics and make up the actors image is altered by computer. A highly detailed computer model is manipulated by every action the actor makes. His actions are captured by tracking spots on his suit and skin. This provides stunning results.
I have previously posted about the film AVATAR which is also made by WETA, but with the apes they have leaped forward in many ways. This short film shows how it is done. When you see the split screen with Andy Serkis on one side and the rendered image on the other, it really brings home how even tiny facial movements are created by the actor !
Unlike lots of other science fiction / action films this also captures humanity and some tender moments.
So even if you are not a regular cinema patron, don't miss the chance to see this in BIG SCREEN format !
