Oscar for Best Visual Effects Gets 15 Finalists

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences have begun setting the stage for the 2011 Academy Awards. They have now announced the finalists for the Best Visual Effects Oscar. With 15 contenders, there are plenty visual treats amongst this list. However, come time to hand out that Oscar, only 3 of the finalists will be nominees and only 1 will take home the coveted Oscar.

The Best Visual Effects category has long been the category for those Hollywood blockbusters to really shine. Those big-budget strictly-popcorn-action-movies get their day in the sun as they’re usually the ones that are heavily built on visuals and special effects. This year’s (rather 2011′s) list has plenty of that style to flaunt too. Check the full 15 below.

Alice In Wonderland

Chronicles of Narnia: Voyage of the Dawn Treader

Clash of the Titans

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1

Hereafter

Inception

Iron Man 2

The Last Airbender

Percy Jackson & the Olympians: The Lightning Thief

Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time

Scott Pilgrim vs. The World

Shutter Island

The Sorcerer’s Apprentice

Tron: Legacy

Unstoppable

Now, like I said, only 3 of these can make it in as nominees. Personally, I think Inception had some absolutely brilliant scenes in it, as far as visual effects go. From car chases, to a train in the street, to spinning hallways, to a Paris street folding in half on top of itself…it was definitely a treat for the eyes. Tron Legacy doesn’t look like it will be that great of a movie for me. However, there’s not denying that visually it does look good. Honestly though, Tron just reminds me of Speed Racer in so many ways.The fantasy worlds of both Narnia and Potter lend well to this category and both deliver some very stimulating eye-candy indeed. So, don’t be surprised to see one (or even both) of these receive one of the nominations. However, I really enjoyed Scott Pilgrim and its art style along with visual effects. Part of me hopes that Pilgrim can at least get a nod come Oscar time. So if it were up to me and I had to choose just three: Inception, Harry Potter and Scott Pilgrim.

Which three would you like to see become the final nominees? Which do you think will win and which do you feel will win? Have another favorite that didn’t make the list? Share all your thoughts in the comment section below.