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surpass the real-time quality, making for a visually rich experience on the big screen. BATMAN V SUPERMAN: DAWN OF JUSTICE What happens when two superpowers are at odds? In Batman v Superman, Batman believes that Superman's powers need to be held in check, leading to a clash between the justice-seekers. The film is packed with VFX from top studios. Yet in the past, everyone had been talking about the work in the individual Superman and Batman movies for quite some time, but not here. Is that a sign? CAPTAIN AMERICA: CIVIL WAR Another superhero clash, Captain Ameri- ca: Civil War pits former allies Captain Amer- ica and Iron Man against each other. This calls for state-of-the-art effects, particularly those during a major showdown. People were indeed talking about the work in this film, and it did very well at the box office, from the CG characters to the environmen- tal work and set extensions. Among the more impressive work was the airport battle sequence involving the various characters. DEADPOOL Yes, there have been a number of super- hero films in 2016, but one that is very differ- ent (along with Suicide Squad) is Deadpool, about an antihero mercenary. Directing the film was Tim Miller, cofounder of Blur Studio, known for its amazing visual effects work. The film was a huge success, which will also help shine some light on the effects them- selves this awards season. Not likely a major contender for visual effects, though. DOCTOR STRANGE In this late-year film release, Marvel is expecting another hit with its latest charac- ter, Doctor Strange, who learns the secrets of mysticism and alternate dimensions, acting as an intermediary between the real world and what lies on the other side. Early indications and a look at the amazing visual effects show that Marvel indeed will have another hit on its hands. And the digital work: very impressive. FANTASTIC BEASTS AND WHERE TO FIND THEM Just the mere mention of anything as- sociated with Harry Potter, and you know it will be an instant hit. You also know it will be filled to the brim with amazing effects and stunning environments. And with a title like Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them, you know it will contain a wide range of fantastical CG creatures. Expect this film to be cinematic magic, and the effects worthy of every awards list. GHOSTBUSTERS This was perhaps one of the most an- ticipated VFX films of the summer. The list of top VFX studios working on the reboot was impressive. The storyline was a proven hit. But, expectations fell short from critics, though the movie did well at the box office. The effects supported the theme of the film – high tech but fitting within the genre. Artists re-created Time Square: a modern version and a 1970s version. Also, they creat- ed proton beings and ghosts, among other things. Interesting, only to a point. INDEPENDENCE DAY: RESURGENCE Two decades ago, in a movie where aliens nearly destroyed Earth, moviegoers flocked to theaters to see the spectacular VFX-lad- en Independence Day. This past summer, the aliens tried to invade yet again, and once again, visual effects studios responded to the battle cry with even more spectacu- lar visuals on this big-budget film. In fact, there are four times as many VFX shots as there are in the original movie, and the artists were no longer restricted in terms of showing the aliens due to limitations in technology. This time, the aliens play a big- ger part in the film. And the invasion scene: spectacular. PETE'S DRAGON People may know Pete's Dragon from a decades-old animated film by the same name. And like the star character in that movie, Elliot the dragon is always animated in this live-action movie. Making the dragon believable among the live cast was no small feat. Making the scenes intimate between the dragon and his little human friend was