Welcome to the 2021 SiftPop.com Sifties!
This year, the SiftPop writers came together to nominate five movies for Best Visual Experience. Since the two major pieces that work together to create a complete cinematic experience are a film’s visuals and audio, we thought it would be important to highlight those as one of our four Siftie awards.
2021 was a great year for cinematography and special effects at the movies. Between MCU action blockbusters, more small-scale stories with jaw-dropping visuals, sci-fi epics, and even musicals, there was a wide variety to appreciate. The SiftPop crew nominated five films for Best Visual Experience: Spider-Man: No Way Home, Dune, The Green Knight, Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings, and West Side Story. Here’s how the voting played out:
4.3% of votes
It would be pretty easy to say that Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings is the best looking movie in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, which may sound contrary to even this list. The thing that is the most clear about this film is that there is so much intent by all the cast and crew. Shang-Chi comes at a time where the MCU was starting to feel pretty stale and paint-by-numbers, and in some cases this movie fails to overcome that, but director Destin Daniel Cretton, cinematographer Bill Pope, and the stunt team go out of their way to make Shang Chi a visual spectacle. There is plenty to admire about the look of this film, but the thing that will always stand out is how gorgeous it is to watch.
4.3% of votes
In general, West Side Story is definitely known more for its music and story than it is for how it looks. But when Steven Spielberg is the director of a film, you know it’s going to look good. Spielberg’s visual direction in this version of West Side Story is otherworldly; so much is communicated with each shot, whether you realize it or not. But of course, the real draw here is the amazing choreography. This movie isn’t shot like a play; the camera is an active participant in each scene and weaves in and out of the cast and dance numbers. It’s truly a remarkable and visually stunning film.
21.7% of votes
Spider-Man: No Way Home is a grand achievement on many levels and not the least of which are its visuals. Director Jon Watts and cinematographer Mauro Fiore make an incredible experience that feels just right. The action is staged in a way that works, but rewards multiple viewings as there is plenty going in the background, especially in the final fight. Taking this film on just a Spider-Man level should have been enough of a challenge, given all the acrobatics and aerial stunts of the character, but when you add in the visual flair that comes with Doctor Strange, the inclusion and visuals of which Scott Derrickson (director of Doctor Strange) himself praised, that comes at an extra challenge that the team overcomes with flying colors (pun intended).
30.4% of votes
If you’re not a fan of David Lowery’s work story-wise, one thing is always for certain: he will make a visually stunning film. From A Ghost Story to Pete’s Dragon, Lowery knows how to wow you visually. So it’s no surprise that The Green Knight, a medieval fantasy, was his most visually arresting film to date by far. There are vistas that will make you drop your jaw, beautiful open landscapes, practical sets in Europe, engrossing cinematography, and perfectly integrated special effects. All of which combine to make this one of the best movies to look at from 2021.
39.1% of votes
Director Denis Villeneuve first wanted to make Dune into a movie when he first read the book at the age of 14. You can feel his passion and love for the world and characters through everything in the film, but especially so through the visual work being done. Villeneuve wanted to make use of practical sets and effects as much as possible, and it pays off. Everything in the film feels tangible and engrossing, and totally worthy of making Dune the next big pop culture “thing.” The film’s cinematography shows off Arrakis and Caladan in all their desolation and majesty, and the interior shots fully transport you, giving this the Siftie for Best Visual Experience!
Check out the winner of Best Audio Experience, and be sure to check back tomorrow for the winner of Best Performance!