Whenever we hear the word monster, we immediately visualize gigantic hideous creatures which terrorize the human population. However, movies have presented us monsters that appeal to many, that despite their violent nature, evil works or hair-tingling looks they can charm the audience. Well, here are ten lovely movie monsters which have truly captured the hearts of audiences around the world.
1. King Kong
Who doesn’t know this gorilla-like monster whose love for a human beauty caused his own “downfall”? In the movies, King Kong is taken from the fictional Skull Island by an American film crew and transported to New York City to be exhibited as the “Eighth Wonder of the World.” But Kong is just too strong that he comes loose and rampage the entire city. He climbs the Empire State Building and dares to protect Ann Darrow, the actress originally offered to him as a sacrifice back in the Skull Island. In the end, Kong is shot and killed by aircraft. As the character Carl Denham puts it, “It was beauty killed the beast.” The King Kong character was created by U.S. filmmaker Merian C. Cooper. The first King Kongjavascript:void(0) movie was released in 1933 with sequels in the same year (The Son of Kong), 1962 (King Kong vs. Godzilla), and 1967 (King Kong Escapes). It was remade on 1976 with a sequel on 1986 (King Kong Lives). It was again produced in 2005 (see review) which become an instant box office success and gathered numerous awards.
2. Godzilla
Another monster equal in monstrosity to King Kong (though more hard-hearted) is Godzilla. This Japanese movie monster first appeared in 1954. Accordingly, Godzilla is a cross between a gorilla and a whale, as manifested in his over-the-top size, strength and power. He is a pre-historic creature who first appeared and attacked Japan during the Atomic Age. Nuclear detonations have mutated the creature, thereby increasing his size and powers.Godzilla has starred in at least 28 films. He is a huge popular icon that he appeared in various video games, comic books, and television series.
3. Mogwai (Gremlin)
Mogwai are very lovely and adorable creatures. According to the 1984 film Gremlins and its 1990 sequel Gremlins 2: The New Batch, a mogwai is a rare creature that is furry, pack-minded, very curious, alert and energetic. Yet, keeping a mogwai requires strict rules. Number 1 – “Don’t get him wet” because it produces more mogwai asexually (through buds on its back) when it touches water. Number 2 – “Keep him away from bright lights, especially sunlight” for it may hurt and kill it. And Number 3, the most important rule – “Don’t ever feed him after midnight” because if he eats food after that time, he will undergo metamorphosis and become a ferocious monster called gremlin. Unlike the mogwai, a gremlin is evil, vicious, and loves to scare and hurt people. Oh, such a big transformation!
In the 1984 novel Gremlins by George Gipe, it was said that a mogwai is created as a gentle being from an alien world and its change into a gremlin is only a side-effect.
4. Nessie
Nessie, or the Loch Ness Monster, is believed to belong to the line of long-surviving plesiosaurs reputed to inhabit Loch Ness in the Scottish Highlands. This long-necked lake monster was brought to the world’s attention in 1933 when several news items and the first photograph of the monster were published. Eventually, many stories came up about Nessie.From all the movies about Nessie, the most recent and prominent is the 2007 film The Water Horse: Legend of the Deep. The film features the extraordinary friendship about the Water Horse (or Nessie) and the boy who discovers and hatches him from an egg. In its heart-breaking ending, the boy has to release the Water Horse into the Loch Ness to protect him from the evils of the world.
5. The Incredible Hulk
The Incredible Hulk is a monster with a human heart. He is a giant, green-skinned, angry humanoid, and is the alter ego of the reserved physicist Dr. Bruce Banner. He appears after Banner is accidentally exposed to gamma radiation from a bomb he invented. His strength is proportional to his anger; the madder Hulk gets, the stronger he becomes. But every strong man has a soft spot. For the Hulk, it is the woman he greatly loves.The Hulk is created by Stan Lee and considered as the fifth greatest superhero character by Marvel Comics Universe. He was first seen in May 1962, and has then appeared in countless television series and movies.
6. Frankenstein
Frankenstein is the monster in Mary Shelley’s 1818 novel Frankenstein; or, The Modern Prometheus. He is 8-feet tall with yellowish skin, watery, glowing eyes, flowing black hair, black lips and white teeth. Frankenstein wants to be integrated into human society but is feared by anyone who sees him. He feels rejected and so he channels this feeling into revenge against his creator.Frankenstein has been myriad times in movies, televisions, and plays.
7. The Grinch
Who stole Christmas? None other than the Grinch! This male humanoid creature is created by Dr. Seuss and first appeared as the main protagonist in the 1957 children’s book. He has bright green fur, yellow eyes with red pupils, yellow teeth, a cat-like face, and foul grimace. The Grinch lives in an isolated cave near the town of Whoville. He hates Christmas that he steals the Christmas gifts and decorations from the townspeople.Despite his naughty acts, everyone loves The Grinch, especially when he emerged on film in 2000. After all his devious and anti-holiday spirit, redemption comes upon him. He has since become an icon that he appeared in various forms of memorabilia such as Christmas ornaments, dolls, and various items of clothing. There are also several television specials and musical for him.
8. Tyrannosaurus rex
Who is the King of all dinosaurs? Who is the most formidable prize fighter? Who else but the great and mighty Tyrannosaurus rex? This monstrous reptile has played major roles in films such as King Kong’s foe in Skull Island, as Rex in Toy Story, and many others. Perhaps, the most iconic and popular depiction of Tyrannosaurus rex in film was in 1993’s Jurassic Park and its sequel The Lost World. In these films, T. rex are brought back to life using the blood from fossilized mosquitoes. They are then raised inside a theme park. But things go wrong and these creatures break loose and rampage the entire island.Aside from films, T. rex has also appeared in numerous television series, documentaries, in collectible items like stamps, and has become inspiration for different parks and children’s toys.
9. Ewoks
Ewoks were created by George Lucas for the Star War movie The Return of the Jedi. They are primitive creatures which appear stocky, are completely covered in fur, have flat faces and large jewel-like eyes. They are short, standing at only one meter tall. Despite that, Ewoks are very strong. They live in the forest moon of Endor where they serve as hunter-gatherers.These teddy-bear-like creatures are cute and cuddly, making audiences adore them. Unsurprisingly, the Ewoks appeared in two movies (Caravan of Courage: An Ewok Adventure, and Ewoks: The Battle for Endor), animated television series, and several books and games.
10. Pale Man
The Pale Man may not be as popular as the others, but he is certainly one of the most original and imaginatively-created movie monsters. He is seen in the 2006 Mexican fantasy-war film by Guillermo del Toro titled “Pan’s Labyrinth” (see review). He is one of the monsters who cause terror to the movie’s little heroine.Accordingly, the Pale Man is based on Tenome, an old Japanese legend. Tenome is a blind man who is murdered by a mugger. He returns as a ghost but his anger and desire for revenge blinded him that his eyes are gone. Instead, new eyes can grow in his hands, enabling him to see again. In Pan’s Labyrinth, the Pale Man has scrawny limbs with skin falling off. He only has a mouth and nostrils on his face. His detachable eyes can be placed on his hands when he senses people around. The Pale Man loves to feast, especially on new born babies.
