Creature Designers - The Frankenstein Complex

Dir: Gilles Penso, Alexandre Poncet

2015

****

Gilles Penso and Alexandre Poncet's Creature Designers - The Frankenstein Complex, is possibly 2015's most engrossing, enthralling and comprehensive documentary. While the title may suggest the film is an analysis of the mind-set of those who create monsters, and it is to some extent, it is really about the complex development and realization of all things monster in the world of cinema. Giles Penso directed the brilliant Ray Harryhausen: Special Effects Titan, an excellent and again comprehensive documentary covering the life and work of the SFX icon. It worked, so the format hasn't been tampered with, Creature Designers - The Frankenstein Complex is the documentary that horror/sci-fi/action film fans have been waiting for. Is it a nerd film? Most certainly but not at all exclusively. A wider audience will also enjoy, with mainstream films featured as well as obscure b-movies and alike. It actually bridges the gaps between mainstream and low-budget quite beautifully, showing early examples of the current best in the business and the big-budget masterpieces they now work on. It almost feels like a sequel to Ray Harryhausen: Special Effects Titan, Harryhausen started it and this film picks off where he left off. It features the very best of the best in the world of special effects including Rick Baker (An American Werewolf in London), Greg Nicotero (Army of Darkness), Phil Tippett (Star Wars) and Chris Walas (Gremlins) as well as directors such as Joe Dante (The Howling), Kevin Smith (Tusk), John Landis (Twilight Zone: The Movie) and Guillermo del Toro (Crimson Peak) plus many more. I think my only gripe was the absence of Rob Bottin (which was his choice) although he is mentioned often, and personal favourite Screaming Mad George (Society). The film does ask big questions, the biggest being what the future holds for special effects craftsmen given the advances in computer technology. There are some emotional responses, many have adopted CGI and have found the right balance while others reject it and have had troublesome times because of it. My favourite part of the movie was the discussion between Joe Dante and John Landis regarding the special effects on both An American Werewolf in London and The Howling. Rick Baker explains that while working on the effects for one film, he then jumped ship and used the exact same effects on the other, finally answering (for me anyway) why they are both so similar. From giant mechanical creatures to very simple puppetry, the art and the vision are explored, explained and compared. It's a must for nerds and cinephiles alike but also those who appreciate real craftsmanship. An absolute joy.