Top 10 Uses of Practical Makeup in Monster Movies
Top 10 Uses of Practical Makeup in Monster Movies
Memorable faces, memorable makeup, and they know exactly how to scare you. Join http://www.WatchMojo.com as we count down our picks for the Top 10 Uses of Practical Makeup in Monster Movies.
For this list, we’re looking at those classic examples where practical effects experts transformed actors into the stuff of nightmares. To count, the terrifying use of makeup effects must be applied to an actual human actor, so animatronic monsters will not count.
#10: Grant Monster
“Slither” (2006)
In today’s CGI-heavy world, exceptional practical effects, especially in horror films, really stand out. James Gunn’s now-cult film harkens back to some old-school ‘80s gross-out practical magic. Poor Grant ends up in the wrong town at the wrong time as a bunch of alien slugs decide to take over the world. Grant ends up being the first victim infected by the slugs, as he slowly becomes a tentacled monster and infects everyone else. The Emmy-winning makeup team of Todd Masters and Dan Rebert took home a Saturn award for their repulsively fantastic work here. Just don’t watch without a barf bag.
#9: Erik, The Phantom of the Opera
“The Phantom of the Opera” (1925)
You can’t have a makeup effects list like this without mentioning Lon Chaney. Nicknamed “The Man of a Thousand Faces,” Chaney was famous for creating his own makeup effects and transforming his face into many creatures and monsters with very little makeup or prosthetics. His most famous performance, after being completely unrecognizable as the Hunchback of Notre Dame two years earlier, was as the tragic and terrifying Phantom. Although the character is remembered for his broken mask, Chaney gave him new life when Erik’s frightening face is revealed. It especially took audiences by surprise, considering that his hideous face was kept a huge secret until the film’s premiere.
#8: Darkness
“Legend” (1985)
The legendary Tim Curry is no stranger to heavy makeup, what with movies like Stephen King’s “It” under his belt, but he’s practically unrecognizable as the Lord of Darkness in this overlooked fantasy from Ridley Scott. His goal is to bring eternal darkness to the world by killing off all the unicorns, but all he succeeds in doing is bringing eternal nightmares to his viewers. It took over 5 hours to apply Curry’s makeup and that dedication really shows. Oscar-nominated for Best Makeup effects, “Legend” now has a well-deserved cult following and that’s largely thanks to its unforgettable villain.
#7: The Pale Man
“Pan’s Labyrinth” (2006)
Director Guillermo del Toro is a lover of practical makeup effects, as seen in his “Hellboy” movies. He also knows when to seamlessly mix in some CGI. The creatures he brings to life in this Spanish fantasy tale are breathtaking to say the least. Although Faun is incredible and the film’s centerpiece, The Pale Man will give you nightmares, and makes it impossible to believe that there is an actor under that makeup. But there is; and the actor behind both these creatures is none other than Doug Jones, a modern day Lon Chaney and frequent collaborator of Del Toro.
#6: David Kessler
“An American Werewolf in London” (1981)
This horror-comedy hybrid became the first film to ever win the Academy Award for Best Makeup. It was also the first of several wins for makeup effects master Rick Baker, who concocted quite possibly the most famous werewolf transformation ever to grace the silver screen. The film follows the unlucky David as a werewolf attacks him. His friend is left dead and David’s left in a hairy situation. Although more of a dark comedy, the transformation scene was one of the most terrifying movie moments of the ‘80s. To this date, we’re still left wondering how exactly they pulled it off.
#5: Frankenstein’s Monster
“Frankenstein” (1931)
Just like Lon Chaney, one of the pioneers of early cinematic makeup effects was Jack Pierce. This special effects genius was nicknamed the Monster Maker, having been responsible for most of the creatures in Universal Studios’ golden years of horror filmmaking. His most famous and most recognizable work was Frankenstein’s Monster in the 1931 classic, transforming Boris Karloff into the stoic, but deadly, creature come back from the dead. Although a huge departure from the source material written by Mary Shelley, Pierce’s makeup has ironically become the most iconic version of the famous literary monster.
#4: Seth Brundle / Brundlefly
“The Fly” (1986)
David Cronenberg’s “The Fly” took a classic B-movie and turned it into a masterpiece of body horror. Jeff Goldblum plays Seth Brundle, a scientist who is working on a teleportation device. When Dr. Brundle tests it on himself and his DNA gets mixed with that of a fly that snuck into his machine, we watch in dread as he spends the entire film gruesomely and gradually transforming into a fly. The film received an Oscar for its makeup, awarded to the duo of Chris Walas and long-time Cronenberg collaborator Stephan Dupuis. Who thought a fly could be so disgusting and empathetic at the same time?
#3: Regan MacNeil
“The Exorcist” (1973)
The face that made multiple audience-members faint upon its release, young Regan possessed by the demon Pazuzu has become one of the most iconic images in horror film history, and perhaps cinematic history in general. Although this classic tale of demonic possession received many accolades, the makeup was largely overlooked. Many years later, Dick Smith, the genius behind the “Exorcist” makeup effects, as well as “The Godfather,” “Taxi Driver” and “Death Becomes Her,” received an honorary Oscar for his varied body of work.
#2: Freddy Krueger
“A Nightmare on Elm Street” (1984)
What started as an idea in Wes Craven’s mind became a reality in the hands of seasoned makeup effect specialist David Miller. In horror cinema, your story needs to be just as scary as your visuals, and Freddy Krueger’s burned and scarred face is as terrifying and iconic as they get. After being the star of one of the most successful horror film franchises of all time, and first appearing in the 1984 original, it is sometimes hard to see actor Robert Englund’s face without picturing the terrifying makeup that accompanied his most famous creation.
Before we dig into our top pick, here are a few honourable mentions:
– Count Orlok
“Nosferatu” (1922)
– Fifield
“Prometheus” (2012)
– Jason Voorhees
“Friday the 13th” (1980)
– The Uruk-hai and the Orcs
“The Lord of the Rings” franchise (2001-03)
– Count Dracula
“Bram Stoker’s Dracula” (1992)
#1: Pinhead
“Hellraiser” (1987)
If this list has proven one thing, it’s that makeup effects artists do not often get the credit they deserve. Having learned his trade on the sets of “Star Wars” and “Alien,” (though his model building went uncredited for those) Bob Keen built a name for himself after teaming up with horror legend Clive Barker for this gothic indie gem. His makeup creation was so effective that, without his Pinhead makeup on, nobody recognized Doug Bradley at the film’s post-production party. Although Keen’s later work on “Nightbreed” deserves much praise, the image of Pinhead rising from his hellish slumber alongside his fellow demonic Cenobites will forever be burned into the minds of all filmgoers.
Do you agree with our list? Which monster makeup effects made you look twice or made you look away in fear?