15 finalists for Best Visual Effects

Even with their newly expanded field, the Academy's visual effects branch still feels they must put films vying for the Oscar through a bake-off process. The first wave of contenders to survive the scrutinous procedure have been announced. They will later be trimmed down to ten before the final five are announced on nomination day.

There are no real surprises to be had at this early stage, but this branch can sometimes surprise when it all comes out in the wash. Last year's inclusion of Hereafter's subtle supporting effects over TRON Legacy's CG-heavy environs comes to mind (in fact, that Hereafter nomination is what has vindicated many guessers, myself included, to predict a nomination for The Tree of Life for the past several months).

See all fifteen finalists after the cut.

VES winners

As we might have expected, Inception lead the way, winning all four of its nominations. Close behind was How to Train Your Dragon which swept the three animation categories. It's too bad they couldn't spread the love around to Legend of the Guardians' astonishing effects animation, but I suppose that was a long shot.

Oscar nominees Hereafter and Harry Potter each scooped a single consolatory win.

Outstanding Visual Effects in a Visual-Effects Driven Feature Motion Picture
Inception

Outstanding Supporting Visual Effects in a Feature Motion Picture
Hereafter

Outstanding Animation in an Animated Feature Motion Picture
How to Train Your Dragon

Outstanding Animated Character in a Live Action Feature Motion Picture
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part I – Dobby

Outstanding Animated Character in an Animated Feature Motion Picture
How to Train Your Dragon – Toothless

Outstanding Effects Animation in an Animated Feature Motion Picture
How to Train Your Dragon

Outstanding Created Environment in a Live Action Feature Motion Picture
Inception – Paris Dreamscape

Outstanding Models & Miniatures in a Feature Motion Picture
Inception – Hospital Fortress Destruction

Outstanding Compositing in a Feature Motion Picture
Inception

Visionary Award
Christopher Nolan

One Category at a Time: Visual Effects

I must profess, I'm not sure why the Academy chose this year of all years to finally expand the number of nominees in this category to five. It hasn't been a particularly outstanding year for effects work, and it shows with a slate of mostly mediocre nominees.

I've long since been on the record for thinking the effects of Alice in Wonderland are glaring and poorly animated, but I can't begrudge Ken Ralston & co. for the sheer amount of work they did. Practically every shot is an effects shot. Everything is computerized. Computerized to death if you ask me. And yet it's still a dark horse candidate in this field. Remember that "most" visual effects can sometimes beat "best" visual effects.

Adding to the population of nominees that make me say "m'eh" are Iron Man 2, Harry Potter, and Hereafter, the latter of which seems to have made it in for that tsunami sequence alone. Decent work, but nothing particularly special. It's a crime that these got in over the much more stunning and unique effects of TRON Legacy and Scott Pilgrim vs the World.

Incpetion, on the other hand, is the only movie this year whose effects made me go "whoa". Those brilliant hotel corridor scenes are justly lauded, but let's not forget the detailed work done by the digital effects artists, or the meticulous pyrotechnic work. It has four VES nominations under its belt (winners announced tomorrow) and is also the only Best Picture nominee in the field. The Oscar is clearly it's to lose.

Will win: Inception
Runner-up: Alice in Wonderland

Should win: Inception
Should have been nominated: Scott Pilgrim vs the World