Top SFX shots No. 46: The Fifth Element

The surfaces and lighting are flawless in this shot of the flying yellow-cab setting off for work, but crucially it's the accuracy of the physics that sells it. As the cab brakes to avoid an oncoming vehicle, its weight settles back into its own suspension before forward-thrust takes it off again for a right turn. It's a little thing, but it makes a huge difference, and is arguably one of the biggest barriers CGI has yet to confront. Another excellent example of correct weight and movement in an exit is the 180-degree turn that the Millennium Falcon makes when exiting the Death Star in Star Wars (original 1977 release). That's ironic, since it's turning in zero-gravity and should have no weight. But then, there's no sound in space either.

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