Mission Impossible 4: return to the “impossible” plan of the Burj Khalifa waterfall

Mission Impossible 4: return to the “impossible” plan of the Burj Khalifa waterfall



Behind the scenes of a cult waterfall

Among the many stunts in the saga Mission Impossiblethat of climbing the Burj Khalifa Mission: Impossible – Ghost ProtocolIt is at the top of the list of the most spectacular. Suspended by cables, against the wall of the skyscraper and hundreds of meters above the ground, Tom Cruise filmed one of the most beautiful moments in the history of Ethan Hunt, the legendary IMF agent. The behind the scenes of this exploit has already been documented and told, in particular by the actor Matt Damon. But in addition to the physical conditions of the stunt, its filming in Dubai, there was also a huge post-production work, and the realization of an “impossible” shot, passed unnoticed by many spectators.

Ethan Hunt (Tom Cruise) - Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol
Ethan Hunt (Tom Cruise) – Mission: Impossible: Ghost Protocol ©Paramount Pictures

The plan in question is the following. As Ethan Hunt advances along the glass wall of the Burj Khalifa, a massive sandstorm looms. Ethan Hunt sees her in the reflection of the window, and turns, when at the same moment the camera moves in the opposite direction, giving the impression of through the window. The illusion is perfect and its realization has been explained in episode 114 of the YouTube show VFX artists react to bad and great CGI.

You will also like it
Mission Impossible 6: A big star couldn't keep up with Tom Cruise

A disappearing window

Invited to participate in this show that deciphers VFX production is ILM special effects artist and director Todd Vaziri, recruited for Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol, what details the realization of this unique plan is a priori impossible.

This shot was produced in a studio in Vancouver. Tom is six meters above the ground and part of the sky is the real Vancouver sky. On the other side there is a blue background. At the beginning of the shot we observe the reflection of the window on a blue background in the setting, so everything was added in post-production. Digital artist Mark Nettleton has done a great job in this regard. As the camera pans back and forth, the window is removed so the camera can move behind Tom’s shoulder. It’s a true reflection of Tom, but not of Dubai.

In front of Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol, the feeling is phenomenal, as if the sandstorm was already pinning us – with Ethan Hunt – against the wall of the tower. This is why, in addition to the physical involvement of Tom Cruise for the stunts performed as much as possible “in real life”, the admirable production and post-production effort carried out by the teams of the saga HALF is also worth highlighting.

Source: Cine Serie

You may also like