Creature Designers: The Frankenstein Complex (2016)
Drew Tinnin
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Starring Guillermo Del Toro, Joe Dante, John Landis, and more
Directed by Alexandre Poncet and Gilles Penso
Screened at Fantasia 2016
Like your favorite issue of Cinefantastique come to life, Creature Designers: The Frankenstein Complex plays out like a greatest hits of the practical effects pioneers who worked tirelessly to deliver those iconic moments we now cherish. It’s a documentary for horror fans, but it’s also for anyone who appreciates the milestones of cinema that have helped push the medium forward over the decades. Fantasia Film Fest premiered the film recently, and hopefully the fans that were lucky enough to see it ran straight home to play with some latex foam rubber.
There’s probably no other way to start off a film chronicling the history of practical effects than to honor the talents of Jack Pierce and Dick Smith – pioneers in the field responsible for legendary looks ranging from the original Frankenstein’s Monster to The Exorcist. While Pierce is credited in Creature Designers as the creator of the most iconic film makeup of all time for transforming Boris Karloff, it’s Dick Smith and his openness and generosity that inspired the most amount of creators to break new ground in the field. Smith was always an open book and wanted to share secrets, not covet them, and that mentality carried over to the new generation that championed collaboration over all else.
All the famous monsters of filmland are represented here through their creators: Rick Baker, Matt Winston (son of Stan), Steve Johnson, and Tom Woodruff, Jr., are all here offering great insight into their process. They delve into their most memorable onscreen accomplishments from American Werewolf in London to The Abyss and, of course, the Terminator franchise. Appearances by Guillermo del Toro, Joe Dante, John Landis, Greg Nicotero, Dennis Muren, Mick Garris, and Chris Walas all lend an incredible amount of cachet to an already impressive overview of the special effects world from the Eighties into the present day.
The inevitable confrontation of the effects world from practical to digital is also perfectly represented with discussions about Terminator 2: Judgment Day and how the iconic Terminator design actually represents the complete accomplishments of visual and practical effects up until that point. The T-1000 changed everything, and once Jurassic Park opened wide, the effects world was never the same.
There’s also an air of sadness that sweeps over the documentary, especially when focusing on rock star-turned-nomad Rob Bottin (The Thing, The Howling) and the man who brought the AT-AT and the ED 209 to life, Phil Tippett. It seems inevitable now, but when that monumental shift occurred, it left a lot of these artists wondering what comes next, a scary prospect when you fall from the covers of Fangoria to closing down shop.
Although well-executed and boasting the best ensemble of talent for a film like this, Creature Designers is only focused on the mainstream successes over the years, however, so lesser known properties aren’t covered at all. For well-versed horror fans, the attention paid to big-budget films may feel like ground that’s already been covered during some scenes. Don’t expect a lot of obscure references or a DIY tutorial; the accomplishment of Creature Designers: The Frankenstein Complex lies in the in-depth interviews with some of the world’s best designers and creators.
It serves as a reminder that it’s largely these individuals that have stretched their imagination and the rubber in their effects shops to the absolute limit. Thanks to them, it might be a little harder to sleep at night, but it’s a lot easier to dream big.
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Film
Categorized:Reviews
