Science fiction is another genre
that I adore, so when it's combined with horror its a match made in heaven!
There are many great sci-fi horrors, below are just a few of my favourites!
*There may be a few spoilers, you've been warned!*
5.) Event Horizon (1997)
The effects have held up a lot
better than some of the 90's dated CGI. There are some disturbing moments (who
doesn't find eyeless people creepy?). The plot, though interesting does get a
little daft towards the end. I particularly liked the random Shining reference
and classic 80's "final scare" though!
4.) The Fly (1986)
David Cronenberg's beautifully
grotesque take on the classic 1958 film remains one of the best horror remakes
of all time. Jeff Goldblum at his finest, stars as the intelligent yet
eccentric Seth Brundle, a scientist busy developing a revolutionary machine
that can teleport matter from one place to another through the use of two
"telepods". Whilst experimenting he falls madly in love with Veronica
Quaife (Geena Davis).
After several unsuccessful (and messy) results with live
animals, Seth finally perfects the machine and begins the first human
trial. Unknowingly whilst entering the
telepod, a fly enters in with with him, he starts the process and unwilling
gets his DNA spliced with the fly. Unlike the original, upon emerging from the
other pod, Seth looks and behaves normal. Cue David Croneberg's love for the
flesh! What follows is a slow, painful, disgusting transformation into
Brundlefly! The makeup effects are fantastic,with some truly revolting scenes,
(can anyone stomach that nail peeling scene?). I'm not one for romantic films
but you can't help but feel saddened by the final, surprisingly moving moment
between Veronica and her now hideously deformed partner.
3.) Aliens
Many people actually prefer James
Cameron's sequel to the original Alien. It was very difficult for me to decide
as I adore both films, however I feel as a standalone horror film, Alien has
the edge. Set 57 years after the original, Ripley is awakened from hypersleep
and reluctantly agrees to join the Colonial Marines to supposedly destroy the
last remaining aliens.
Though it doesn't quite hold the
tension as well as the original, Aliens still remains a claustrophobic,
thrilling film with some fantastic practical effects. It's much more high octane
and action focused, similar to Predator. Sigourney Weaver once again steals it
as the tough, yet compassionate Ellen Ripley.The addition of not one but a
whole hive of Xenomorpths, makes for lots of plasma firing, saliva dripping,
chestbursting fun!
2.) Alien
Alien has always been one of my
all time favourites. I first saw it when I was around 12, thanks to my dad who
loves science fiction films. Set in the year 2122, the crew of the Nostromo
spacecraft intercept a distress signal on a planet codenamed LV-426. After
landing, they discover evidence of earlier lifeforms and a chamber full of
thousands of large, leathery eggs. Upon inspection, one crew member is
seemingly attacked by a strange, spider like creature, which emerges from one
of eggs. Upon boarding the ship, ignoring quarantine, they begin heading back
to Earth. Soon after we witness the birth of one of cinemas most iconic aliens,
the Xenomorpth!
H. R. Giger's design of the
Xenomorpth, to this day, remains one of the most terrifying aliens ever
created. I find the chestburster scene very unsettling every time I see this
film. Though it's undoubtedly shocking the first time you see it, I actually
find it more horrific when you know that the alien is growing inside Kane and
that he thinks he is fine until the famous dinner scene. I love the atmosphere
of the film, the Nostromo looks and feels eerie with its dark, claustrophobic
corridors. The film has some clever, subtle scares to catch the audience off
guard and an unnerving score to accompany the on screen terror. Lets not forget
Sigourney Weavers fantastic performance as Ellen Ripley. Alien has since gone
onto spawn 3 sequels, 2 crossovers (AVP 1/2) and the underrated prequel
Prometheus. For me though, the original remains the scariest and definitely the
most memorable.
1.) The Thing (1982)
So how do you top Alien? let me
introduce you to John Carpenters masterpiece! The Thing is actually a reimagining of the 1951 film,
"The Thing From Another World", which was loosely based on
John. W. Campbell. jr's novel, "Who Goes there?". The story is
set in an antarctic research station known as Outpost 31. At the beginning of
the film a dog is seen attempting to outrun gunfire from a Norwegian
helicopter. Unaware of its origin, the scientists take in the animal. Confused
over the event, Macready (Kurt Russell) and Dr Copper (Richard Dysart) travel
to the Norwegian research facility. To their horror, they find all the
scientists dead as well as a hideous looking creature concealed in ice. An
autopsy shows the now dead organism to be made up of previous human bodies.
Further tests prove that the creature is capable of assimilating (taking on the
form of its previous kills). Upon this realisation, the dog is ordered to be
incinerated, however it is already too late. The creature is already amongst
them!
I am a big fan of the use of
practical effects in films. The creature effects by Rob Bottin are incredibly
gross and hold up very well to this day. What really makes this such a unique
horror is that you never know who in the group has been assimilated. This
quickly leads to a growing sense of paranoia and tension that works so well,
even on repeat viewings. The iconic "Bloodtest" scene is a great
example of this. The 2011 prequel ties up nicely with the original, but for me
the CGI just doesn't cut it compared to the grotesque look of the 1982 creature
designs. The remote location of the research base adds yet more panic. In one
particular scene, the scientists realise the devastating effects on humanity
should the creature reach civilisation. The Thing really does have everything
you would want out of a sci-fi horror. Amazing creature design, setting,
atmosphere and plenty of scares! A must see!
Note: If your already a fan of the
original or would like to learn how the incredible special effects were made,
then I highly recommend purchasing the Blu Ray. It includes a feature length
documentary on the making of the film plus loads of other goodies!
Well thats my list of my favourite
sci-fi horrors, thanks for reading! Please let me know your favourites in the
comments below!
