Master Of Monsters
- Thread starter MovieBob
- Start date
Growing up as I did, the best times I had were in trying to remake the iconic scenes from Jason or Clash of the Titans with my homegrown claymation set, aka Playdough and a polaroid camera. I didn't have a clue about the business nor did I pursue it beyond 10 years old (moving on to action figures and their respective playsets namely GI JOE). Still it is fond memories and I am thankful for Ray's influence on my early life. I'll never forget how he is directly responsible for both my fear of skeletons rising to life and fucking huge ass scorpions.
EDIT: This apparently didn't make it into my original post, don't know how:
I do want to express how sad I am not for his passing so much but that he never achieved more than a cult status following seeing how his FX were so awesome, and in some ways more lifelike than today's CGI. I hope that since he has passed there will be some posthumous recognition by Hollywood even if they passed him by in life. And his Kraken was more awesome than the remake's.
EDIT2: Found out today I share a birthday with him. Sad.
EDIT: This apparently didn't make it into my original post, don't know how:
I do want to express how sad I am not for his passing so much but that he never achieved more than a cult status following seeing how his FX were so awesome, and in some ways more lifelike than today's CGI. I hope that since he has passed there will be some posthumous recognition by Hollywood even if they passed him by in life. And his Kraken was more awesome than the remake's.
EDIT2: Found out today I share a birthday with him. Sad.
Thank you for that excellent tribute to an amazing artist.
I grew up on his films, watching them on Creature Features late at night. Utterly spellbound by his monsters. His influence will be felt for years in the movie industry.
I grew up on his films, watching them on Creature Features late at night. Utterly spellbound by his monsters. His influence will be felt for years in the movie industry.
Wow... I have a little tear in my eye. I am sad that Mr Harryhausen has passed, and sadder that it made so little notice that this is the first time I had heard of it. Both he and his movies had such a profound effect on me as a kid. I remember watching them over and over again, reading the books on special effects and wanting to help make this kind of magic. In the end, I pursued a love of computers over special effects... but I've never forgotten. And I'm far from the only person he's inspired.. So thank you, Mr Harryhausen... for generations worth of imagination. Rest well, sir.
Clash of the Titans, Beast from 20,000 Fathoms and The Golden Voyage of Sinbad made my early childhood and Ray Harryhausen's work definitely started me on the road to being a lifelong fantasy fan and film geek. It's a real shame to see him go but living to 92, and accomplishing that much just by being passionate, creative and hard-working, is pretty badass by anyone's standards.
edit: because that feels inadequate...I can't actually overstate how great this guy was. He changed the world by doing what he loved and striving to be awesome at it.
edit: because that feels inadequate...I can't actually overstate how great this guy was. He changed the world by doing what he loved and striving to be awesome at it.
I was rather bummed when I heard of his passing. I loved the crap out of his monsters when I was a child. Anytime a Sinbad movie came on TV, I'd stop what I was doing so I could watch it.
I've only heard of Harryhausen from the original Clash of the Titans, but I now see he left behind an incredible body of work and a legacy of movie making magic. I do not want to think of a world where this didn't happen.
The only famous person I ever cried over was Steve Irwin, being my childhood hero, but this hurt.
Harryhausen was a massive part of my growing up, my parents split up and I only got to see my dad on weekends, so when I stayed over his house we would watch movies usually fantasy and Harryhausen was our main stay. Me and my brother would reinact the skeleton fight with fake swords whenever we went to the beach. The medusa scene scared the crap outta me as a kid but I love it to bits now, I always hold it up as an example of doing something very, VERY right.
Not to mention, im a massive animation nut and his pressence doesn't even need mention, he's one of the freaking foundations.
Much respect Bob, I figured you'd have something nice to say.
Harryhausen was a massive part of my growing up, my parents split up and I only got to see my dad on weekends, so when I stayed over his house we would watch movies usually fantasy and Harryhausen was our main stay. Me and my brother would reinact the skeleton fight with fake swords whenever we went to the beach. The medusa scene scared the crap outta me as a kid but I love it to bits now, I always hold it up as an example of doing something very, VERY right.
Not to mention, im a massive animation nut and his pressence doesn't even need mention, he's one of the freaking foundations.
Much respect Bob, I figured you'd have something nice to say.
It's a shame Ray Harryhausen didn't obtain as much box office success during his career but his movies left a mark on everyone that watched them. There is no denying that he inspired so many filmmakers and they all owe him a debt of gratitude.
Rest in peace, Ray.
Rest in peace, Ray.
Oh man, this is one cinema icon whose passing I'd been dreading for a while; I'm just glad he made it to 92. Harryhausen has always been for me the greatest genius is special effects history- the holy trinity of Jason and the Argonauts' energetic seven skeleton battle, The Golden Voyage of Sinbad's thrilling Kali duel and Clash of the Titans' terrifying Medusa encounter have always been 3 of the most amazing effects sequences in history.
Rest in peace, Ray. The legacy of your genius will endure forever.
Rest in peace, Ray. The legacy of your genius will endure forever.
You know, it actually hurts to read that his works went so unappreciated in their time. Even though that seems to be a theme for true visionaries, it would've been better if he'd gotten the recognition he so richly deserved when it would have most mattered.
Then again, the fact that he pressed on despite the lack of acclaim, doing it for the art rather than the cash, speaks even better of him.
Then again, the fact that he pressed on despite the lack of acclaim, doing it for the art rather than the cash, speaks even better of him.
It's sad when they pass. I remember how Forrest Ackerman used to give tours of his house to show his collection. Did you know he had the special effects guys who worked on Fritz Lang's Metropolis rebuild Maria (the robot version) for him?
Ray will be missed too.
Ray will be missed too.
As kids, my brother and I rewatched the Skeleton scene so often that our video cassette (and the VCR) ended up wearing out. Besides that scene, my favourite is Talos:
Wonderful blending of special effects and atmosphere here, which you tend not to see in most other movies: once a spectacular monster appears, the emphasis is on action. But here, Harryhausen's animation is combined with dramatic tension and a sense of foreboding. The second you see Talos, you just know he's going to get up, but you still have to sweat it out for a couple of minutes. When it finally happens, it still somehow feels like a surprise. You just don't get that in this day and age with easy, CGI popup monsters.
Wonderful blending of special effects and atmosphere here, which you tend not to see in most other movies: once a spectacular monster appears, the emphasis is on action. But here, Harryhausen's animation is combined with dramatic tension and a sense of foreboding. The second you see Talos, you just know he's going to get up, but you still have to sweat it out for a couple of minutes. When it finally happens, it still somehow feels like a surprise. You just don't get that in this day and age with easy, CGI popup monsters.
Oh,wow. I haven't seen that skeleton battle since my early teens. I was assuming it wouldn't look as seamless as I remembered, but it actually looks way BETTER! All kinds of amazing stunts.
RIP, Ray Harryhausen. And thanks.
RIP, Ray Harryhausen. And thanks.
