ESCAPE FROM NEW YORK : SNAKE PLISSKEN FLIGHT ON TWIN TOWERS
Why Hacker News recommends it
HN uses it to illustrate how the film's wireframe skyline effect was made with practical miniatures and as an example of retro computer-display aesthetics.
What it is
A scene from John Carpenter's 1981 film Escape from New York in which Snake Plissken glides in over Manhattan between the Twin Towers. It features the film's wireframe green laser-grid visuals built from miniatures.
Recommended by 0 HN commenters across 0 different months, 2020 to 2023.
What Hacker News said
Cites rkachowski · 2020-09 · on “It was more efficient to blow up a real 747 than to use miniatures or CGI”
It seems like we have come full circle, in Escape from New York (1981) it was cheaper to build a miniture New York skyline and attach fluorescent tape to the edges rather than create a CG wireframe model for the "computers" in the main characters glider.[1][2] [1] [LINK] [2] [this video]
Cites JKCalhoun · 2020-12 · on “Real wireframe teapot mounted inside a Commodore Pet display (2004)”
"Some sources cite [James] Cameron as the brains behind the glider navigation sequence..." [LINK] Clip from the film: [this video]
Cites morkalork · 2023-09 · on “Index of Aesthetics”
I don't have anything to add to the argument just that I happened to watch Escape from New York this weekend and there's an epic "green laser grid" sequence as he flies in to the city! [this video]