Tom
An Old Friend
I love monster movies! Give me monsters, the more unique the better I like them. That being said, Lets list and discuss all the different types of monsters we see. Not limited to just movies lets include monsters from short films and television as well.
The Human Monster - This monster looks and acts like a human being but does monsterous things. Murder, mayhem and torture.
Probably the most common because it requires very little creativity.
The Animal Monster - Another common monster where an animal causes death, dismemberment and destruction. Fairly easy to use because wildlife is wild and can be mysterious.
The Human Alien Monster - Aliens invade and either look like humans or assume the shape of humans to blend in. Common for low creativity writers and limited special effects. Included are aliens that are too similar to the human form as a result of a man in a suit. The argument is that people can't identify with a monster that is too strange, I say bull.
The Human Animal Monster - Examples include The Boggy Creek Monster, Bigfoot, Yeti and werewolf type creatures. The monster resembles human features; walks on two legs, has two arms, has two eyes, etc...
The Human Cyborg - Slap some 'parts' on the actor and give it abilities and you have a human cyborg. Again a man in a suit type monster.
The Human Robot - Man in a suit with technology. Granted some renditions can be seriously life-like and technical but it all boils down to a man in a suit.
Man-in-Suit Giant Monsters - Godzilla, Gamera and the like. Includes giant people with make-up.
Giant Animal Super-Imposed - Normal animals or insects that are superimosed on the screen with or without cosmetic appliances.
The Automatons - robotic devices that are made to appear life-like.
Claymations/Stop-Motions - Think Ray Harryhausen. Monsters that can have features that are not regulated by the limits of the human form. Realism yields to uniqueness.
Animated Models - Artistically created renditions of monsters or elements that are manipulated. Think The Thing (1982). Include puppeteer models and Set models like Jurassic Park.
Completely Unique
Sometimes we get a real treat in creativity. Monsters that are strange in appearance or some other aspect of their depiction. I like those monsters the best. Things that couldn't possibly be a man or animal. Some samples:
The Blob - jello with an appetite for meat.
The Triffids - Plants with an appetite for meat.
The Crystalline Entity - A giant crystal with an appetite for meat. (Star Trek TNG)
For discussion, lets list our favorite monsters and their descriptions.
The Relic - A genetic hybrid known as the Kothoga. This monster was pretty cool looking and had 6 appendages that allowed it to scale walls and ceilings. Ugly to look at but very well done.
Deep Rising - An unknown sea creature whose tentacles were mouths with sharp teeth. The main creature had sentience and was huge!
John Carter - I've read all the Barsoom series of books by ERB and this movie did the best job yet at bringing the creatures to life. I am sad that the white ape didn't get more screen time.
Avatar - The fauna and flora depicted was beautiful. I liked how the creatures had breathing holes and multiple eyes. The Tail-link was also unique.
Predator - A simple man in a suit but the facial features blew me away at the time. Especially the mandibles of the predator. It is the first movie that I can recall having those mandibles (now it is kinda common)
The Human Monster - This monster looks and acts like a human being but does monsterous things. Murder, mayhem and torture.
Probably the most common because it requires very little creativity.
The Animal Monster - Another common monster where an animal causes death, dismemberment and destruction. Fairly easy to use because wildlife is wild and can be mysterious.
The Human Alien Monster - Aliens invade and either look like humans or assume the shape of humans to blend in. Common for low creativity writers and limited special effects. Included are aliens that are too similar to the human form as a result of a man in a suit. The argument is that people can't identify with a monster that is too strange, I say bull.
The Human Animal Monster - Examples include The Boggy Creek Monster, Bigfoot, Yeti and werewolf type creatures. The monster resembles human features; walks on two legs, has two arms, has two eyes, etc...
The Human Cyborg - Slap some 'parts' on the actor and give it abilities and you have a human cyborg. Again a man in a suit type monster.
The Human Robot - Man in a suit with technology. Granted some renditions can be seriously life-like and technical but it all boils down to a man in a suit.
Man-in-Suit Giant Monsters - Godzilla, Gamera and the like. Includes giant people with make-up.
Giant Animal Super-Imposed - Normal animals or insects that are superimosed on the screen with or without cosmetic appliances.
The Automatons - robotic devices that are made to appear life-like.
Claymations/Stop-Motions - Think Ray Harryhausen. Monsters that can have features that are not regulated by the limits of the human form. Realism yields to uniqueness.
Animated Models - Artistically created renditions of monsters or elements that are manipulated. Think The Thing (1982). Include puppeteer models and Set models like Jurassic Park.
Completely Unique
Sometimes we get a real treat in creativity. Monsters that are strange in appearance or some other aspect of their depiction. I like those monsters the best. Things that couldn't possibly be a man or animal. Some samples:
The Blob - jello with an appetite for meat.
The Triffids - Plants with an appetite for meat.
The Crystalline Entity - A giant crystal with an appetite for meat. (Star Trek TNG)
For discussion, lets list our favorite monsters and their descriptions.
The Relic - A genetic hybrid known as the Kothoga. This monster was pretty cool looking and had 6 appendages that allowed it to scale walls and ceilings. Ugly to look at but very well done.
Deep Rising - An unknown sea creature whose tentacles were mouths with sharp teeth. The main creature had sentience and was huge!
John Carter - I've read all the Barsoom series of books by ERB and this movie did the best job yet at bringing the creatures to life. I am sad that the white ape didn't get more screen time.
Avatar - The fauna and flora depicted was beautiful. I liked how the creatures had breathing holes and multiple eyes. The Tail-link was also unique.
Predator - A simple man in a suit but the facial features blew me away at the time. Especially the mandibles of the predator. It is the first movie that I can recall having those mandibles (now it is kinda common)
