Impact of Virtual Reality in Movies: A Review of the Latest VR Films

The movie industry has always had one overarching goal in mind: do whatever it takes to fulfill the expectations of audience. Because of this, more technology is being integrated into the process to increase the quality of storytelling with each passing day. As moviegoers, we've traditionally measured excellence by how closely a film's experience matches reality. Consequently, when technology is used to bridge the gap between seeing and experiencing, it has far-reaching implications for the future of filmmaking.

Virtual reality technology has been predicted to be the future of the film business since its inception in the 1950s. With the new decade upon us and technological breakthroughs accelerating at an alarming rate, the film industry is under more pressure than ever to produce goods, with a continual desire for the newest films. The introduction of augmented reality and virtual reality in the film industry has certainly had the greatest influence. They are radically altering the methods of filmmaking and storytelling.

So, without further ado, let's look at how virtual reality systems reshaped the film industry's future. Continue reading to learn more.

Impacts of Virtual Reality on the Film Industry

Virtual Reality (VR) has significantly impacted the film industry since its inception. Here are some ways virtual reality has affected the film industry:

• Enhanced Immersive Experience

VR technology has made it possible for viewers to experience movies in an entirely new way. The immersive experience of VR allows the viewer to feel like they're part of the movie, creating a much more engaging and interactive experience. 

Some movie theaters, for example, now provide VR experiences that permit viewers to enter the world of the movie before it begins. It might help contribute to the movie's excitement and anticipation.

• New Storytelling Techniques

VR has allowed filmmakers to experiment with new storytelling techniques that were not possible before. For example, directors can create an interactive storyline where viewers can choose their path and determine the story's outcome.

The 2017 Sundance Film Festival included some of the earliest demonstrations of VR in film. Dear Angelica, a short film developed with the Oculus Rift headset was one of them. The narrative of a woman and her daughter is told through a succession of hand-drawn visuals that come to life around the spectator. Another example is The Void, a virtual reality experience that allows spectators to move about and interact with the environment while watching a movie.

• Cost-Effective Production

Virtual reality technology has enabled filmmakers to produce films at a much lower cost. VR cameras are less expensive than traditional film cameras, and virtual environments can be created using computer graphics, eliminating the need for expensive sets.

Filmmaking crews can be costly, and VR technology can help reduce the number of crew members needed on set. VR cameras can be operated remotely, and virtual sets can be created and controlled by a smaller team. Also, VR technology can help speed up production, allowing filmmakers to create high-quality films in less time. It can be particularly useful for low-budget productions, where time is of the essence.

• Marketing and Promotion

VR has opened new avenues for marketing and promoting films. Trailers and previews can be created in VR, allowing the viewer to experience the movie before it is released.

One example of virtual reality movie marketing and promotion is the 2016 movie "The Jungle Book," directed by Jon Favreau. Prior to the release of the film, Disney created a VR experience called "The Jungle Book: Through Mowgli's Eyes," which was available on Google Cardboard, a low-cost VR headset.

The experience allowed viewers to immerse themselves in the world of the film and interact with characters from the movie. Users could explore the jungle, meet animals like Baloo and Bagheera, and even meet the fearsome tiger, Shere Khan.

The VR experience was promoted heavily on social media and at events like the Sundance Film Festival, generating buzz and excitement for the film. The VR experience was also made available to select theatres, where viewers could try it out before the movie began.

• Film Festivals and Exhibitions

VR has also impacted film festivals and exhibitions, allowing filmmakers to showcase their work innovatively. VR film festivals have become increasingly popular, offering a unique experience for viewers and filmmakers alike. 

For example, in 2019, Sundance showcased a VR experience called "The Dial," which allowed viewers to explore the aftermath of a school shooting from multiple perspectives. The experience was highly immersive, allowing viewers to move around the scene and interact with objects in the environment.

Use of Virtual Reality in Movies: Films Featuring VR

Virtual reality is quickly becoming a part of our everyday life. With real-world applications to gaming, education, business, and other sectors becoming more widespread, it's easy to see a scenario where the most advanced virtual reality technology setup is as normal as the TV in your living room.

Let us look at some of the finest films that explore the notion of virtual reality: 

• Tron/Tron: Legacy (1982/2010) 

These two movies go deeply into what might happen if you were unexpectedly placed into a video game. Despite the fact that it may appear to be a dream come true for many passionate gamers, the films rapidly prove that it is not without its drawbacks.

Jeff Bridges plays computer hacker Kevin Flynn in the original Tron film, who is dragged into the video game Tron and should survive a series of games to escape. Despite its visual effects not being up to today's standards, the computer animation utilised to create virtual reality startled viewers in 1982.

Tron: Legacy starts 25 years later with Flynn's son, Sam, acted by Garrett Hedlund. While it's difficult to top a classic like Tron, Tron: Legacy undoubtedly outperforms the original in terms of visual effects. Tron's universe is more vivid and bright than ever, and spectators have transported along with Sam. Tron learnt to walk in VR to create a plausible scene so that Tron: Legacy could function. 

• Virtuosity (1995) 

Although many VR films examine the idea of individuals being transported into a virtual environment, Virtuosity flips the genre on its head and considers what might happen if a VR character was placed in our reality.

Virtuosity, starring Russell Crowe and Denzel Washington, is about a VR simulation built by combining the characters of multiple serial killers that makes their way into our reality. Washington is an ex-cop tasked with tracking down the renegade software SID 6.7, portrayed by Crowe, and putting an end to its killing rampage. 

• The Matrix (1999) 

The Matrix, written and directed by Lana and Lilly Wachowski, is a film that has endured the test of time. The film is a visual masterpiece that examines a world dominated by human-created machines, combining beautifully choreographed action sequences with breakthrough special effects. Unlike Skynet in the Terminator trilogy, which aimed to annihilate humanity, the artificial intelligence in The Matrix has discovered a more useful purpose for our species: energy. Machines do this by absorbing energy from our bodies while keeping people entertained in a virtual-reality realm known as the Matrix.

During the virtual reality film, protagonist Neo (Keanu Reeves) enters and exits the Matrix by connecting his consciousness to the simulation. He'll need to learn how to exploit this virtual environment to his advantage to live.

In terms of virtual reality films, this one ranks near the top. It's a must-see for every sci-fi lover because it examines the sinister potential of virtual reality to enslave the psyche. 

• Gamer (2009) 

Gamer is a movie about VR gaming with a twist: it is not actually virtual.

In the film, users control real-life death-row convicts in Slayers' internet game. Gerard Butler plays one of these convicts, and in order to gain his release, he must survive the game with the aid of the person controlling him. It's an intense and visceral experience that explores the border between virtual and genuine violence. As long as you don't anticipate Oscar-caliber filmmaking, it's a pleasant enough trip for anyone wanting to satisfy their VR-film appetite with a heaping serving of action. 

• Ender’s Game (2013) 

Based on Orson Scott Card's critically acclaimed novel, Ender's Game portrays a society where children are educated to be military soldiers using VR simulations. It's a depressing concept countered with vivid and extremely gorgeous images, particularly in the recreated landscapes. The picture, which stars Harrison Ford and Asa Butterfield, has garnered mainly positive reviews from both reviewers and audiences. 

• Ready Player One (2018) 

Ready Player One is an action/fantasy film based on Ernest Cline's novel. The film, directed by Steven Spielberg, is a coming-of-age drama and pop culture love letter.

It's a film about how virtual reality has fundamentally changed cultural conventions thanks to a new technology called the Oasis. Although it began as a video gaming platform, the Oasis has expanded into a way of life. People work in the Oasis, children attend school there, and companies try to monetise every square inch of the Oasis.

The narrative revolves around Wade Watts, portrayed by Tye Sheridan, and a competition set up by the Oasis's founder, James Halliday, in which the winner receives Halliday's huge riches as well as ownership of the Oasis. Watts must race against time to defeat corporate mogul Sorrento, played smarmily by Ben Mendelsohn, to rescue the Oasis and his and his loved ones' lives.

Conclusion

Considering how virtual reality has reshaped and revolutionised the film business, we may expect to see more of it in the future. Nonetheless, VR is a new and rapidly expanding technology. As a result, it is expected to continue to provide fresh and intriguing opportunities for VR enthusiasts and filmmakers alike. Many of these opportunities will have yet to be envisioned.

If you wish to know more about this cutting-edge technology and pursue a career out of it, join Skill-Lync. Skill-Lync is an online education platform offering various computer science, engineering and technology certification courses, including virtual reality (VR).

Talk to our experts to know more about us.