DC’s The Flash film has faced criticism for its lackluster visual effects, particularly in scenes involving the Speed Force and Chronobowl. Due to limited resources and tight deadlines, the visual effects team needed help to perfect these sequences.
One standout moment occurs at the film’s beginning, where Barry rushes to save Bruce Wayne and prevent a collapsing hospital. Unfortunately, the CGI in this scene falls short, resulting in an unnatural appearance of the characters.
These instances of poor CGI are not alone, as there are several other moments throughout The Flash where the quality of visual effects is noticeably lacking.
The Flash CGI Was Awful On Purpose, Says Director
In response to the criticism, director Andy Muschietti and producer Barbara Muschietti have addressed the issue, explaining that the intentional distortion of the visual effects was a purposeful choice to align with Barry’s perspective.
Barbara dismissed concerns by playfully stating that they used real babies. At the same time, Andy clarified that the distorted visuals were meant to convey Barry’s point of view, creating a “waterworld” experience with distorted lights and textures. This artistic design aimed to immerse the audience in Barry’s perception, even if it appeared unusual.
Despite the criticisms of CGI, The Flash still manages to provide an enjoyable cinematic experience. While some viewers may find the visual effects distracting, the film’s overall appeal is still maintained.
The Flash VFX artist explains the reason behind ‘Poor’ CGI.
Zach Mulligan, the visual effect artist for The Flash, recently revealed on Tiktok the reason why so many DC films’ CGI didn’t look that convincing.
“[Studios] will approach VFX companies and say, ‘Hey, I have 2000 shots I need for this sequence’ and the VFX studios will place a bid based on that quantity of shots,” he said. “But here’s the catch: the amount of work per shot varies dramatically. So one shot could have a wire removal, another shot could have wire removal, smoke [simulation], fire [simulation], face replacement [and] green screen. Despite the difference in workload between those two shots, they both are considered just one shot each.”
Mulligan elaborated on the demanding nature of the industry, highlighting the “insane” deadlines that VFX artists face, forcing them to work overtime to meet them. These tight schedules ultimately impact the quality of CGI in films like The Flash.
