10 Horror Monster Movies With Amazing Special Effects

There's no argument why John Carpenter's sci-fi horror is hailed as the peak of practical effects.

Although this 1982 remake was meant to centre around a generic alien, make-up designer Rob Bottin convinced the Halloween director to turn the titular villain into a creature that can change its form.

To make the shapeshifter look convincing, Bottin relied on a 35-member crew, which included painters, puppeteers, moldmakers, sculptors, mechanical technicians, and even a hair stylist. This special effects team worked wonders, even when ideas fell apart or plans changed at the last second. When Bottin's crew ran out of time to construct the Dog-Thing animatronic, they settled for a foam-latex puppet with radio-controlled eyes. Despite this rushed job, the final result is a work of art.

Also, one element in The Thing that doesn't get enough credit is the lighting. Cinematographer Dean Cundey worked with Bottin to ensure the extraterrestrial was lit at specific angles to hide its artificiality, and Cundey deserves almost as much praise as Bottin, since the creature would've looked awful if it was lit or angled incorrectly.

Even though every facet of The Thing is on top-form, there's no question Rob Bottin's work is the highlight.