For this feature post I decided to focus on the two monster films we saw in class and one monster film that I saw outside of class. These films being, Dracula, Wolfen, and Predator. All three films were made at around the same time, with Predator being a bit later in the year 1987. In this feature post, I plan on looking at the similarities and differences between these three films. Similarities:The obvious similarity between all of these films is that they all feature a sort of monster or creature in their films. In Dracula, its Count Dracula himself, in Wolfen, its the Wolfen, and in Predator, its the alien warrior. What all these creatures have in common, is that they all redesigned the legends and myths. In Dracula, "Mine does not play out as Dracula's great love. Instead Mina's role is reversed ... with the character of Lucy." Not only was Dracula's love life changed but, "Badham's film portrayed Dracula as a sinister but intensely sensual nightcrawler." In the older films, Dracula was more of a monster and the audience didn't feel any need for him to survive. In this version, Dracula is a much nicer and loving person. This is shown in his relationship with Lucy and how their chemistry is perfect. They both love each other and the audience is left wanting them to have a happy ending. Now looking at Wolfen, "... the creatures are not werewolves, but something far more imaginative and bizarre; in the novel, a scientist dubs them Canis Lupis Sapiens." This changes up the formula and makes the audience question if they have the same abilities as werewolves. These "Wolfen" appear to look like werewolves but are not considered werewolves. This is were the film changes the audiences expectations and makes them uneasy. Since now they don't know what to expect. On top of that, "Wolfen was known as one of the first uses of the in-camera effect, similar to thermography, to portray the subjective view of an evil creature..." This use of the camera effect to make the point of view of the Wolfen different, is also used in Predator. Not only are the creatures different than regular werewolves, but they are also made out to be gods and superior beings that are killing people that enter their "hunting grounds". Another major impact this film had on the werewolf genre is that they are seen as the victims and the humans as the monsters. We learn in this film that the reason the Wolfen are attacking is because their territory is being destroyed and a new construction project is going to be put in place. This makes the audience understand the Wolfen more and come to accept most of their actions as just natural reactions. Now lets take a look at Predator and how it reshaped the monster genre. In this film, we are introduced to an alien warrior that is hunting a team of commandos in a jungle. This concept was a refreshing take on aliens and showed the audience the point of view of the creature. Just like in Wolfen, the camera effect is different when we are in the alien's perspective and therefore the audience always knows when we are looking through the aliens eyes. The camera effect of the Predator's perspective is shown in the video down below. In this film, we also see this sense of hunter verse pray. Similar to the Wolfen, the Predator doesn't always attack right away and it usually only kills if it feels like the person is a threat. Another similarity between the three films is that they all try and make their monsters more human, and therefore making it harder for the audience to want them dead. Dracula turns out to be a nice guy and his relationship with Lucy is perfect. On top of that, the humans are constantly chasing Dracula and trying to kill him. So the audience starts to feel like the humans are the monsters, instead of Dracula. As for the Wolfen, the Native Americans praise and respect them. They tell Dewey to leave them alone and to think about how they are the victims. Though these creatures are a bit harder to see as victims, the audience still gets a sense that they are mistreated and should be left alone. Now the Predator is obviously evil and kills humans for a sport, but he also does have morals and rules. He doesn't kill those that are unarmed or pose no threat. Instead he hunts for sport and respects his enemies. Though the audience hates the Predator, they still give it credit for his human features and own will. Overall, these three monster films changed the genre and set new standard for monster films to come. Differences:Thought these three films have a lot in common, they are still different in someways. While the Wolfen and the Predator are hunters that like to stalk their pray, Dracula is a bit different. Sure he might be a hunter too, when it comes to seducing women, but he does not kill as easily as the other two monsters. Dracula looks human and so he is able to blend into the human world without being noticed. He also feels the most human and obviously looks human too. As for his past, the audience finds out a lot more about who he is. Unlike the Predator, which the audience has to watch the other films in order to learn more about them. As for the Wolfen, we are given very little information about who they are and how they were created. Unlike Dracula, who has a legend already established from older films. Since the Wolfen and Predators are made up creatures that may be based off other monsters, but are still something new, they don't have that same type of history or legend behind them. Another difference is the main focus of each film. In Dracula, the main focus is on Dracula and Lucy. Therefore the film spends a lot of time making the monster the main character. This works because Dracula is a type of creature that lives among humans and interacts with them. As for Wolfen, the creatures are secondary to the main character, Dewey. The film follows Dewey's investigation, with some perspectives of the Wolfen. This differs from Dracula, because the main focus is on a human that is trying to solve a mystery and eventually starts hunting the monsters. Moving on to Predator, we see that the main focus is once again on the humans. This time it focuses on the commandos as they are on a mission in the jungle. From there the focus moves over to Dutch, who is that main character and also the one to end up fighting the Predator. This differs from Wolfen because of the setting and character. Instead of following a detective around, who is trying to solve a case, we now follow around a soldier that is prepared for battle. This gives the film the ability to have its main character fight the Predator, since he is specialized in killing. Which leads me to a final difference, and that is the ending of all three films. All three films have a different type of horror movie ending. Usually in horror or monster movies, the ending either has to do with the main character killing the monster, not killing the monster and letting it live, or thinking that it is dead when it is not. These endings are portrayed in these three films. In Dracula, the ending scene takes place on a boat and we see Dracula being pulled into the sun. We assume that he is dead, but just before the film ends, we catch a glimpse of his cape flying away. This gives the audience a sense that Dracula is not dead and is still alive. Which leaves the audience with paranoia. As for Wolfen, Dewey does not end up killing the Wolfen, and instead he understands them. He destroys the construction model and lets the Wolfen go. This ending is different from Dracula, because the audience understands why Dewey doesn't kill the Wolfen. While Dracula was portrayed as a monster that killed for blood, the Wolfen are portrayed as being victims. This leads me to the ending of Predator. In this film's ending, Dutch faces off with the Predator and we have an epic fight scene. This film differs from the other two because this one is the only one to actually have the main character kill the monster. Though Dracula is also seen being killed, we are left with a cliff hanger that he might have survived. In the end, these three films have different endings, but they are all endings that are similar to modern day monster movies. Overall, these three films have a lot in common with each other, but they are still different in their own way. They all focus on a monster aspect and all try to do something new with the genre. In the end, each film is different and should not be ranked together. They all have a certain effect on the monster genre and feature different creatures, which makes it hard to say which one of them is the best. That being said, they do feed off each other and should all be praised for their impact on the movie world.
0 Comments
|
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |