Light & Magic is a captivating look behind the curtain at the visual effects created by Industrial Light & Magic — one of the best in the business.
There is a saying that looking behind the curtain can ruin the magic, however for some fans there is nothing more interesting than diving into the inspirations of their favorite films and television shows. Academy Award-nominated filmmaker Lawrence Kasdan takes viewers on an adventure exploring the history of Industrial Light & Magic that spans a six episode docuseries, Light & Magic, coming to Disney+.
Industrial Light & Magic (ILM) is one of the best effects company in the world, having worked on incredible films like Star Wars, Terminator, Indiana Jones, and Jurassic Park. In the new Disney+ docuseries viewers can do exactly that – and peek behind the curtain to get a look at how they have become the best in the business.
This series includes interviews with VFX titans Dennis Muren, Phil Tippett, Joe Johnston, Rose Duignan and Lynwen Brennan as they recount their memories of when ILM first started. They talk about their time with George Lucas as they first dove into the world of visual effects. However, it isn’t just interviews. There are videos and photos depicting the past as well, really immersing the audience in the story.
For viewers, it feels like they have stepped back in time and are able to witness the creation of ILM, and go on a journey with them to get to where they are today. Eyes will be glued to the screen as we see photos from when ILM first started, and learn all about this incredibly talented group of people.
Director Lawrence Kasdan and executive producer Ron Howard do a wonderful job with the series. All too often these types of shows get repetitive and go on far too long. But with six episodes, each of which clocks in at right around one hour, it feels like a complete story was told, without dwelling on certain things too long.
From start to finish, the evolution of technology is completely captivating. Watching how things used to be done, and seeing how they are accomplished now, is impressive. But what is particularly interesting is the fact that so much of what was used in the past is still done to this day.
Besides the technological standpoint, viewers will come out of this docuseries feeling like they know George Lucas on another level now. It is very clear how much of a family has been formed with Industrial Light & Magic, and how close the employees are to this day. They truly created something special, there is no doubt about that, but watching them all speak on their early days is heartwarming as well as entertaining.
Many people might not realize just how many movies ILM worked on that aren’t Star Wars, because when you think LucasFilm, you think Star Wars. They are responsible for some of the most advanced technology that is used today, including the Stagecraft that The Mandalorian, The Book of Boba Fett, and Obi-Wan Kenobi were filmed in.
This allows directors to play actual scenes across a video wall while on-set and has completely revolutionized the industry. It is ideas like this that proves ILM is the best of the best.
For those who enjoy a behind the scenes look at their favorite films, and don’t mind knowing how visual effects are created for the big (and small) screen, this is something that will truly impress. For those who would rather be fooled by the magic, you might want to skip this one as it really does deep dive into the how and the why.
Rating: 5 out of 5
NEXT: Practical Effects Versus Digital Effects
About Light & Magic
Granted unparalleled access, Academy Award®-nominated filmmaker Lawrence Kasdan takes viewers on an adventure behind the curtains of Industrial Light & Magic, the special visual effects, animation and virtual production division of Lucasfilm.
Learn what inspired some of the most legendary filmmakers in Hollywood history, and follow their stories from their earliest personal films to bringing George Lucas’ vision to life.
Light & Magic hits Disney+ on July 27th.
Tessa Smith is a Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer-approved Film and TV Critic. On Camera personality and TV / Film Critic with 10+ years of experience in video editing, writing, editing, moderating, and hosting.