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Time Out's 50 greatest monster movies: part seven
Be afraid, be very afraid: this is our number one. But is 'The Fly' even a monster movie - it might be science fiction, romantic tragedy, even melodrama - or does it simply transcend the genre?
Explore the list: 50-41 | 40-31 | 30-21 | 20-11 | 10-6 | 5-2
1. The Fly (1987)
Directed by David Cronenberg
The dream is over, and the insect is awake
If the sign of a truly great monster movie is that it provokes broader emotions than mere horror, then ‘The Fly’ is a masterpiece. Our feelings for the tragic Brundlefly run so much deeper than mere disgust or even pity: we admire his scientific genius and his goofy, loquacious charm, sympathise with his romantic uncertainty and tendency for adolescent jealousy, recoil at the grotesque transformation of his body and mind, and finally weep for his hubristic but inevitable destruction.
It seems ironic that we’ve chosen ‘The Fly’ to top this list because it is, after all, the most painfully human of all monster movies. The fact that Cronenberg spends the bloodless first half patiently setting up his characters pays phenomenal dividends when the slime starts flowing: we care for these people in a deep, entirely genuine way. It’s a romantic pairing of which Preston Sturges would’ve been proud: flawed, funny, fucked-up and beautifully performed by the then-an-item double act of Jeff Goldblum and Geena Davis.
Cronenberg’s other great strength is the way he introduces his themes: subtly at first, but with increasing force and ferocity. ‘The Fly’ is a catch-all metaphor: is it about ageing, cancer, Aids, or simply destructive transformation and dark self-discovery? One thing’s for certain: like most of Cronenberg’s films from the period, it’s about flesh: how it defines us and defeats us, how it conspires against the self, the mind, in an ongoing battle for bodily dominance that we are ultimately doomed to lose. These themes are woven beautifully into the narrative, voiced calmly in the early scenes as Brundle and his computer ‘learn about the flesh’ and reaching fever pitch as Brundle finds himself powerless against the increasingly urgent demands of his corrupted and rebellious body. That, ultimately, is the film’s primary lesson: life is a losing game. The flesh will get you in the end. TH
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User comments on this story
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- Blair said...
- The remake of 'The Fly' IS a masterpiece, good choice. It's horrifying and also heart-breaking plus the soundtrack by Howard Shore is perfect. Posted on Oct 08 2011 07:19
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- tom huddleston said...
- Well, firstly, josh, thanks for being so pleasant. And secondly, Vincent Price never wrote or directed a movie in his life, at least not to my (or the IMDB's) knowledge. So you can understand the confusion. Personally, I think Cronenberg's 'The Fly' is a masterpiece. But that's just my opinion. Posted on Aug 23 2011 07:53
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- Josh said...
- Vincent Price was a writer director, not a movie. He is the godfather of horror movies and monster movies alike. Your #1 pick of The Fly, is a remake of Mr. Prices original work. And not a good remake at that. Raw Head Rex did a better job (if you don't know that one, this is a failed site and complete waste of time). Posted on Aug 23 2011 07:03
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- tom huddleston said...
- Hi Josh, I think we made it pretty clear this was Time Out's list of horror movies, that's why it says 'our list' and 'our number 1'. And i don't think I'm aware of a monster movie director called Price. Please enlighten. Posted on Aug 23 2011 06:09
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- Josh said...
- Okay, I have got to say that I was EXTREMELY let down by the #1 pick. Cronenburg did a horrid job trying to bring a MASTERPIECE to a new generation of horror movie. And this list in general is far too subjective. Not a single Price movie? He is by the far the master of the horror trade. He is noted by nearly all critics as being one of the worlds greatest directors of horror cinema. When doing a list like this, just say: "We made this list because we think these movies are cool.". Don't attempt to pawn your oddly non-horror movie criteria and pass it as an objective criticism. Posted on Aug 23 2011 05:26
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- "GAME OVER MAN!!" said...
- I'm sorry but Aliens pretty much takes the cake man. "facehuggers" yuk terrified me as a kid Posted on Jul 04 2011 04:43
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- Paul said...
- I note one missing movie with a great Ferrari loving monster: "Hidden" Posted on May 18 2011 08:05
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- Chris said...
- Agree with OGZ Dog Soldiers was wicked scary but we all know Alien should have been number one i mean 4 movies (only the first two were much good) plus two other movies were they have fisty cuff with another monster that should have been higher (no 2). But over all a good list Posted on May 17 2011 06:28
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- duck trapper said...
- As has been mentioned, it all depends on how you define a monster movie. If you mean a movie with monsters in it, then you might have given more representation to the immortal Ray Harryhausen. I have to agree, also, that The Fly, while a very good film, does not belong at the top spot. Posted on Apr 20 2011 15:23
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- andy said...
- Good list but jaws is the best without a doubt. Posted on Mar 30 2011 18:20
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- ralph said...
- The FLY???? Over all a good list. One of the two biggest problems with this kind project is 1... like you pointed out "what is a monster?" and 2... We all have different likes and opinions. So were is "The Thing from another world", it sure beats the "The Thing". Still, very intertaining, so thanks. Posted on Mar 11 2011 13:32
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- Linda said...
- Eh, I think Alien should be #1 -- and how about Human Centipede? I would also rate Cloverfield higher. And did I miss The Host, or even Monsters, those delightfully leggy, light-bright octopoids? Yes, the rest of the movie sucked, but the monsters were pretty cool. Posted on Mar 06 2011 22:41
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- alvin said...
- Yea its all a great list. However there is few movies missing. I can't remember all of them, like Reign of Fire one of the best dragon movies. Posted on Dec 26 2010 00:04
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- Michael James said...
- Bride Of Frankenstein, The Cabinet Of Dr. Caligari, Shivers? Also why do you have that rather less chilling photo from one of the Godzilla films from the 1960's and not the original 1954 version? The Fly is not that good. Not compared to Alien, Jaws, King Kong or Frankenstein all of which are masterpieces. Huge admirer of Cronenberg that I am, I do not agree with your top choice. Posted on Nov 05 2010 10:32
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- J Hickinbotham said...
- I prefer the original Posted on Oct 21 2010 11:39
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