The Box Office Flop Movie on Netflix That's Worth Watching
In the realm of movies, a whopping budget doesn't always guarantee a smash hit. The downfall of big-budget productions has been a common sight, especially in recent years. Despite the slump in box office numbers, the business of producing expensive films continues to thrive, giving rise to a new generation of entrepreneurs focusing on lower-budget projects.
Such was the case with the 2023 monster movie sensation, Godzilla Minus One, which captured the public's imagination with its mesmerizing visual effects, despite having a meager production budget of $15 million. The film broke records, securing the number one spot on both Netflix and iTunes concurrently, and even outshining high-profile titles like Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 and Mission: Impossible - Dead Reckoning Part One. The success story didn't end there – the movie also clinched the Academy Award for best visual effects, leaving Hollywood enthusiasts in awe of such an innovate undertaking.
For budding filmmakers, this unexpected victory signaled a ray of hope that even they could ascend the Hollywood ladder with groundbreaking films like Godzilla Minus One. But fear not, the age-old dominance of cookie-cutter blockbusters doesn't seem to be waning anytime soon.
Hollywood's major studios have been relying on their flagship films to act as "tentpoles", pulling in substantial profits to offset losses generated by riskier projects. However, the ever-increasing costs and declining theater admissions following the pandemic have made studios more risk-averse, leading them to focus on established franchises and A-list stars.
With huge financial resources at their disposal, motion picture production teams often see little incentive in innovation, resulting in a formulaic feel to their work. But once in a while, franchises manage to break free from this mold, appealing to critics and audiences alike.
However, the studios sometimes appear to be playing catch-up, mirroring their competitors' projects when they catch wind of emerging ideas. This phenomenon was noticeable in the summer of 2023, when classic superhero characters Superman and the Fantastic Four headed to the cinemas from different studios. But a few years ago, these studios were releasing films centered around martial arts – take Paramount's Snake Eyes each month before Marvel's Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings.
Interestingly, Netflix has proved that diversifying entertainment is not an oxymoron. While investing heavily in its blockbuster Back in Action, the streaming giant also offered audiences a more budget-friendly, yet innovative experience with Here. This drama, starring A-list actors Tom Hanks, Robin Wright, and Paul Bettany, spans almost the complete history of time, with dinosaurs roaming the land at the beginning and the Covid-19 pandemic dominating the end.
Leveraging cutting-edge technology, Here was filmed using a fixed camera perspective to maintain continuity and keep costs down. Robert Zemeckis, the film's director, explained his approach, employing classic movie techniques like ramps and trenches to accommodate differing actor heights while creating an authentic filming experience. In addition to this, the movie also makes use of artificial intelligence technology to create photorealistic face swaps and de-aging effects during filming, rather than editing them in post-production.
Here was directed by the renowned Robert Zemeckis, who previously pioneered visual effects with hand-drawn animation and computer graphics. The film's innovative approach exceeded all of his earlier works, pushing the boundaries of cinema further than before. And the film's production techniques were not without controversy – England's cold winter even caused the rig used to maintain camera position to cool, necessitating daily adjustments by the first assistant camera operator.
The movie used AI technology from Metaphysic, the company behind the infamous Tom Cruise deepfake and Elvis's photorealistic avatar on America's Got Talent. The collaboration between filmmakers and Metaphysic led to the creation of Metaphysic Live, a software tool capable of creating photorealistic face swaps and real-time de-aging effects. Its integration into Here drove down costs and improved production efficiency, demonstrating how AI technology can revolutionize Hollywood production.
The movie's production budget remains a closely-guarded secret, but given that it was shot in the U.K. to benefit from tax incentives, the financial statements of the company charged with handling its production have allowed analysts to estimate the film's budget as just $43 million. The total production cost, including a reimbursement for U.K. expenses, came to a modest $36 million – a fraction of what high-budget productions usually cost in the U.S.
The success of projects like Here shows that Hollywood can still produce innovative and high-quality films that captivate audiences without relying on massive budgets. While blockbusters continue to rule the roost, the future of cinema remains bright and diverse – with studios looking to challenge conventions and bring new stories to the big screen.
- The successful drama "Here," released on Netflix, featured notable actors Tom Hanks, Robin Wright, and Paul Bettany, showcasing their talents across various historical periods.
- Robert Zemeckis, the director of "Here," utilized advanced AI technology from Metaphysic for photorealistic face swaps and de-aging effects, streamlining the filmmaking process and significantly reducing costs.
- Despite its smaller budget compared to typical high-budget productions, "Here" was produced with Sony's support and boasted impressive visual effects, proving that innovation can thrive even with more modest funding.
- Following the success of "Here," Miramax, known for its low-budget releases, announced its interest in collaborating with Metaphysic for future projects, signaling a potential shift in the industry towards more innovative and cost-effective production techniques.
