Bigger Isn’t Necessarily Better in ‘CyberWorld 3D’

“CyberWorld 3D” is a state-of-the-technology collection of computer-animated clips, rendered for the three-dimensional Imax format, that stubbornly remains less than the sum of its parts.

Much of the program consists of rock videos, excerpts and portfolio pieces from the last several years, many of which reveal just how quickly the art of computer graphics is evolving. “The Prince of Egypt,” “The Iron Giant” and “El Dorado” all boasted more convincing computer-generated water than the endless cascades falling among the towers in “Flipbook/Waterfall City” by Satoshi Kitahara (Japan).

Expanding the barroom scene from DreamWorks’ “Antz” to fit the Imax screen doesn’t really add anything to it. Hearing the voices of Woody Allen and Sylvester Stallone coming out of insect bodies is still nicely incongruous, but the increased size only makes the limits of the animation more apparent than they were on regular screens.

After years of special effects, commercials, network logos and station IDs, it’s hardly news that computer animation can produce realistic views to infinity, intricately detailed patterns and reflecting surfaces of metal and glass. But CG is far less effective at conveying a convincing sense of weight or organic motion. The flying creatures in the Pet Shop Boys’ “Liberation” (Eye Animation, England) simply wave their wings up and down: There’s no feeling of propulsion or power. Similarly, the sea monsters in “KraKKen” (Exmachina, France) fail to communicate a believable sense of muscles propelling bulky bodies through the water.

Tying the segments together is Phig (voice by Jenna Elfman), a computer-generated hostess with an attitude, who guides the viewers around a sort of cybermall. The animation of Phig displays all the weaknesses of CG and motion-capture techniques: She seems utterly weightless; her movements have an odd, staccato quality; and her gestures lack individuality.

As “CyberWorld” progresses, Phig battles three software bugs, Buzzed, Wired and Frazzled. The artists are clearly trying to capture the feel of classic cartoons with these characters, but the timing is flaccid and humor forced. The lame jokes, combined with endless movements and turns in depth, make these sequences feel like a rejected introduction for the Star Tours ride in Disneyland.

The most entertaining segment in “CyberWorld” is the “Homer Cubed” sequence from “Treehouse of Horrors VI,” an episode of “The Simpsons” that aired in 1995. Trying to escape a visit from his sisters-in-law Patty and Selma, Homer stumbles into another dimension that reminds him of “that twilighty show about that zone.”

The crew at Pacific Data Images did an excellent job of translating Homer’s two-dimensional form into three dimensions, and the backgrounds spoof the look of other pieces in the program. As he surveys this high-tech world of glowing grids and geometric shapes, Homer observes, “This place looks expensive. I feel like I’m wasting a fortune just standing here.”

“CyberWorld 3D” will delight video game fans in search of over-scaled eye candy, but as “Homer Cubed” demonstrates, clever writing and finely honed vocal performances can make limited animation far more engaging than lavish but empty visual effects.

* Unrated. Times guidelines: suitable for ages 8 and up; occasional scary imagery and violence.

‘CyberWorld 3D’

Jenna Elfman: Phig

Matt Frewer: Frazzled

Robert Smith: Buzzed, Wired

Dave Foley: Hank the Technician

An Intel presentation, released by Imax Film Distribution. Directors Colin Davies, Elaine Despins. Segment directors Brummbaer, Jerzy Kular, Satoshi Kitahara and Noriaki Kaneko, Howard Greenhalgh, Paul Sidlo, Peter Spans, Eric Darnell and Tim Johnson, Bob Anderson. Producers Steve Hoban, Hugh Murray. Screenplay by Charlie Rubin, Steve Hoban and Hugh Murray, based on a story by Hugh Murray. Music Hummie Mann. Running time: approximately 1 hour.

Exclusively at the Universal CityWalk, Universal City, (818) 760-8100, and at the Edwards Irvine Spectrum, 65 Fortune, Irvine, (714) 450-4900; Edwards Valencia 22, 24435 Town Center Drive, Santa Clarita, (661) 287-1740; and Ontario Stadium 22, 4900 E. 4th St., Ontario, (909) 476-1500.