There's a certain child-like wonder that comes with modern technology. Sure, some might see the scientific advances of the current times as serious business that should be reserved only for the betterment of the human race. In many ways, those people are correct. But in other ways, it's also clear that those people never had wrapping paper tube lightsaber fights in their backyards.
One visual effects (VFX) studio has pretty much made its name on YouTube accomplishing what almost every kid has always dreamed of: turning their playtime into some seriously impressive (and often viral) pieces of legitimate media. Where many children grew up filming themselves recreating scenes from their favorite movies growing up, the team at Corridor Digital has not only continued doing that well into adulthood, but has also turned it into an art form.
This time, they've set their sights firmly on the famous trench run scene from Star Wars: A New Hope. Utilizing every digital tool at their disposal, the crew set to work not only recreating many of the iconic visuals from the scene, but updating them to feel like something that might actually come out today. Since they were tasked to do all this in as little time as possible, a few corners had to be cut, such as using a number of pre-made assets (like the actual ships as well as the trench itself). But anyone looking at the finished shots would be hard-pressed to realize that.
From the realistic visuals (no small feat since the original used real models while Corridor did it entirely with CGI) to the environment-illuminating laser blasts, the finished product manages to look like more than just a particularly well-done fan work. It legitimately feels as though it could be in an official, decently budgeted Star Wars production. Where it really sells it is the subtle enhancements. Some lighting adjustments here, a little dust on the camera there, and expert execution of motion blur all come together to turn the admittedly still impressive Death Star trench run from A New Hope into something straight out of The Mandalorian.
Even the Corridor folks themselves appeared surprised by how well they pulled it off, each noticing and appreciating the small details added by their other team members. It kind of goes to show how visual effects work is one of those disciplines where the consumer won't notice when something is done right, but will absolutely notice if something is done wrong. Corridor Digital did pretty much everything right here, and compared to all the work that went into the 1977 original, that's saying something.
These folks clearly know what they're doing, as evidenced from their countless similar videos like recreating the VFX from The Terminator. So there's likely plenty more to see in the future. But something like this almost makes one wish that Disney would just quit beating around the bush and hire them already. Enough with the teasing, mouse.
Source: Corridor Crew|YouTube