Compare and Contrast Classic Horror Movies to the Type of Horror Movies We See Today
Compare and Contrast Classic Horror Movies to the Type of Horror Movies We See Today
Introduction
Horror movies encompass a genre of films that are geared towards eliciting and provoking an emotional response from viewers by preying on their fear of the unknown inclined on the primal emotions. The genre of films has been in existence for an extended period estimated to more than one century (Jones, 2005). Horror movies just like any other kind in the entertainment industry have changed and evolved over time. The paper focuses on the similarities and differences of the classical horror films vs. the modern day horror films in light of the prevalent changes between the two.
Whether classical or modern, the goal of horror movies is to evoke horrifying and scary emotions. While some may fail to achieve the objective to a much intimate touch, they are all geared to it. For example, the 1982 suburban horror film Poltergeist had the same thrilling effect like the neon demon of 2016. Additionally, both the classical and the modern day horror films have shared evident themes which include macabre, supernatural, thriller, fantasy and supernatural fiction. Moreover, they both target Primal instincts and emotions of the viewer such as nightmares, terror, revulsions and fear of the unknown which are entangled with evils forces, events or weird people penetrating the everyday life of individuals. Also, some standard prevailing elements such as ghosts, vampires, demons, gore, serial killers, psychopaths, and torture among others are featured in both the classical and the modern day horror scenes.
Contrast
The plot and Directing
Classic genres had static plots that did not progressively change along the story line from one classic to another. For instance classics like zombies and Friday the 13th feature a scenario where for one to become a zombie or living dead, one had first to die then resurrect. Conversely, modern thrillers are featured with dynamic and contemporary plots that shift and change. For instance, a movie like walking dead features scientific transitions through viral diseases and infections as well as dying and resurrecting. The prevalent plot is concurrent to the modern day society presenting progression that is more scary and frightening than the classics. The role of women has also been seen to change. In the classics, women have always been the victims, weak and scared but modern day horrors have presented a different school of thought where we see women take up more uptight roles just like men (Hutchings, 2014). The approach proves the changes in the tactics of movie directors to be more open, inclusive and dynamic.
Effects
Special effects also differentiate the modern horrors and the classics. The classics presented the characters in almost real scenarios as a product of studio back lots, makeups, and real creatures, masks, puppets and miniatures set up and built backstage to mimic the horrifying features and characters on the screen. Such classics include the Wolman and the Cabinet of Dr. Calgary. On the other hand, modern day horrors rely heavily on the use of computer-generated imagery (CGI). Graphics generated by computers have given the modern day horrors a more live touch of the mimicked event or organism. The feature allows the movie directors to achieve a much scarier, thrilling and deadening touch. Examples of movies in this line of CGI include “drag me to hell”, “Jurassic Park” and “alien resurrection.”
Scary vs. entertainment
Arguably, the modern day horror movies seem to have lost the intended level of scary touch and imagination. The use modern technology leaves the film to be entertaining and presentation oriented than to scare. The sound effects, graphics, dump jump scares, leaves people tired and slightly entertained than horrified. A case sample is women in black which is has high tech graphics and dump jump scares. Classics were meant to attack the primal fears of the viewers and left them clinging to each other and the chairs of the movie theater. Much was left to the imagination of the audience, for example, the film Dracula of 1931, only sections of the monster were shown progressively leaving the audience to fill in the blanks making them horrified and scared which made the experience more thrilling (Thakor, 2009).
Conclusion
Although the horror films continue to evolve dynamically with time, they remain a crucial element of the film genre in the entertainment industry. The differences and similarities constitute the characteristic changes of the film industry as a result of the prevailing technological, market demands, contemporary word and the remakes required.
References
Hutchings, P. (2014). The horror film. New York, Routledge.
Jones, A. (2005). The rough guide to horror movies (Vol. 1). Rough Guides.
Thakor, N. (2009, October 5). The evolution of Horror. Retrieved from the University of California http://www.newuniversity.org/2009/10/entertainment/the-evolution-of-horror/
