Though Pixar deserves several appreciations articles/posts, this is not one of them. Instead, we’re synergizing! Monsters Inc. and Pixar in general owe some debt to those monster movies of the past. Monsters have been part of movies early on in cinema, and were some of the biggest blockbusters when talking was introduced. Pixar has taken up some of that mantle in recent years, as monsters have evolved past just scary into something else. Below are 6 monster movies to watch around Halloween time, as well as a Monster MASH up with a Pixar buddy that would be fun to see.
Movie revolves around a Transylvanian count, named Dracula, who’s on the search for a bride to be.
The Pixar Mash Up
Dracula needs a bride, obvi. Merida came to mind, but I think a better choice is Colette Tatou, sous chef in Ratatouille, cause she’s also a badass, but she can get real creative on the blood dishes, and probably knows a little Transylvanian so she can pick up the language quicker.
Is the monster mash worth it?
Of the creature features of the 30s, this one, well doesn’t stand tallest, cause Frankenstein is huge, but it probably holds up the best is what I mean. That’s because of 2 big things. Tod Browning the director comes up with a lot of creepy sets and subtle effects that put you on edge, like a mirror with no reflection or giant foreboding castles. None of that stuff works without the great Bela Lugosi (and a nice assist from Dwight Frye). Lugosi makes Dracula one of our first anti-heroes: an evil character that’s charming as hell whom we can’t take our eyes off of.
There’s a supernatural element, but in reality, it’s bitchy dance school girls and their bullying. *shiver*
The Pixar Mash Up
Edna, superhero fashion designer extraordinaire, would never let all the crazy things happen to these girls, and their costumes would look amazing.
Is the monster mash worth it?
I am not speaking of the atrocity known as Luca Guadagnino’s 2018 reimagining. No need reimagining something that’s already pretty awesome. Dario Argento became horror famous because of this hit. Argento dares to do something most horror films hadn’t tried previously: assaulting the camera with colors. What happens as a result fits the story wonderfully. Poor Suzy, the innocent girl drawn into a terrifying dance school, looks like her life has become a fever dream across the color spectrum. It’s almost as if she’s decending further and further into hell itself as we see reds become redder and redder as the story goes along.
The famous Japanese lizard, with intimidating size and unlimited powers at his arsenal, plus a pissed off attitude.
The Pixar Mash Up
Frozone came to mind, but Godzilla might learn a little from Arlo, the Good Dinosaur, about maybe trying to better communicate and get along with humanity.
Is the monster mash worth it?
At the time, clearly, the special effects and destruction were the selling point of the film, as Godzilla lays siege to several Japanese cities. Today, the special effects look pretty dated, like kids playing with toys on a table. However, the human parts of the movie continue to grow in import, day by day. Famously, Godzilla is an allegory about Japanese destruction via weapons of extreme, nuclear power, specifically the consequences of wielding that power carelessly. Those conversations today carry the same potency as they did in 1954, even moreso as multiple countries have access to these weapons.
An amphibious creature who lives underwater and wants female companionship? Why Dory would be perfect, as she is no judge of character and delightfully sweet as can be.
Is the monster mash worth it?
Yes, because of its simplicity. There’s no real giant themes hear other than the classic capitalism excess. Just a creature, in a lagoon. Throw in a beautiful lady, some terrific underwater sequences, and an under 90 minute runtime, and you’re bound to enjoy yourself. Probably like a young Steven Spielberg, who looks like he pilfered more than a few sequences from this film for Jaws.
Our very first in movies with sound, but is he more of a monster than his creator?
The Pixar Mash Up
All the monster wants is a friend. Pixar’s best is the most loyal, loving, and reliable: good old Wall-E.
Is the monster mash worth it?
This creature feature isn’t as fun as Dracula, or as technically brilliant as Godzilla or the next film are. It’s lasting legacy was what Mary Shelley identified in her novel: that monsters are misunderstood, tragic figures. Boris Karloff’s performance as the monster at times can be scary, but you end up pitying the creature more than being scared of him, forced into life by a madman/genius with no ability to nurture. Throw in some timely themes of bullying and defying science, and you’ve got yourselves a perennially pertinent picture.
A director and a novice actress travel to a jungle island to film a movie featuring the 8th wonder of the world, a giant ape.
The Pixar Mash Up
King Kong is enamored of beauty, but he also needs someone to deal with his strength. Who better than Helen Parr from the Incredibles, better known as Elastigirl?
Is the monster mash worth it?
Many of the features above are not nearly as scary or impressive as they were in the 1930s. This is not one of them. The special effects are dated for sure, but not as much as you think, as the time and effort put into this movie makes King Kong look pretty incredible even today. There’s battles between apes and dinosaurs, amazing sequences between tiny humans and Kong, culminating in the famous shot atop the Empire State Building. It’s riveting, impressive blockbuster filmmaking.
