The ’80s provided fans with some of the most memorable movies of all time. While countless variables contribute to making a successful film, such as acting, cinematography and storylines, practical effects go a long way toward bringing the fantastical elements to life for the viewer. The ’80s specifically represented a time of innovation in techniques that have stood the test of time.
The breakthrough in creativity during the decade especially served genre filmmaking well. Fantasy, science fiction and horror movies could now make their creations feel more tangible than ever. Modern directors regularly reference the decade as a model of creative problem-solving and realism. As a result, there are more than a few iconic films, like Aliens, that represent some of the best in practical effects.
Jim Henson’s Labyrinth Brought the Most out of Puppetry
Jim Henson and his Creature Shop were already known for bringing vast worlds to life before the release of 1986’s Labyrinth. Fans got a glimpse of the studio’s capabilities with The Dark Crystal in 1982. Henson’s Labyrinth took the foundation laid by its predecessor and pushed the boundaries even further. The film is a prime example of the power of ’80s practical effects and puppetry.
Similar to Jim Henson’s work on The Dark Crystal, Labyrinth combined live performers with integrated effects. Every creature Sarah meets within the labyrinth was physically constructed, operated and filmed on set. What sets Labyrinth apart from previous Henson projects is the enhanced mobility and emotional range of the animatronics and puppets, allowing them to interact more naturally with the actors.
The Empire Strikes Back Set the Standard for the Decade
Widely regarded as one of the defining examples of the strength of practical effects and forced perspective, Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back set the tone for the decade upon its release in 1980. It stands as a shining example that sci-fi could create and achieve massive scale without the implementation of computer-generated lands.
The Battle of Hoth is a perfect representation of what can be achieved with the use of miniatures and stop-motion animation. The miniature AT-AT walkers were less than two feet tall. They were placed on a sound stage filled with fine salt to give them the appearance that they were in the snow. Now, over four decades later, The Empire Strikes Back still feels more alive than a lot of modern films.
The Terminator Obliterated Its Budget Constraints with Creativity
Released in 1984, The Terminator’s massive success relied on convincing the audience of the reality of the premise of its central figure, a robot disguised as a man. Each effect used in The Terminator was designed by Stan Winston and his effects team. Their ingenuity allowed them to combine multiple techniques and practical stunts in ways that made the film feel more intense than its budget suggested.
The sequences that show the futuristic war scenes were created with the use of miniatures, as was the final tanker explosion. Meanwhile, certain shots of scenes featuring the T-800 skeleton were achieved through the use of stop-motion. There were a few full-sized puppets created for close-up shots. What resulted was a haunting but beloved sci-fi character fans still recognize today.
Ghostbusters Used Effects to Fit the Horror and Humor of the Film
Starring comedy legends such as Bill Murray, Dan Aykroyd and the late Harold Ramis, 1984’s Ghostbusters had to ensure the practical effects used in the film fit both tones. The ghosts and the various effects had to be simultaneously humorous and potentially scary. Slimer is a perfect example of both. The ghost was created using a combination of a costume worn by a performer and rod-operated puppetry.
The Stay Puft Marshmallow Man is one of the most recognizable figures in ’80s cinema. Actor Bill Bryan wore a suit that was fitted with internal components that allowed for limited movement. Miniature cities were created for the zoomed-out shots to give the character a larger-than-life look. The use of real actors, combined with effects, made the comedic reactions feel more seamless.
John Carpenter’s The Thing is a Milestone in Horror Effects
To this day, John Carpenter’s The Thing is widely considered one of the best horror films of all time. While the film’s ambiguous ending and overwhelming sense of paranoia are crucial to its status, its groundbreaking practical effects are equally responsible for its acclaim. Legendary effects artist Rob Bottin and his team delivered some of the best examples of practical ingenuity to date.
The chest chomp scene, one of the most famous sequences from The Thing, involved an illusion using an actor who was a double amputee. The human torso that sprouts teeth was created with a prosthetic torso and remote-controlled mechanical jaws. Bottin’s work created a new standard for body horror that is still felt throughout modern filmmaking.
James Cameron Takes Xenomorphs to a New Level in Aliens
Widely considered one of the best sequels ever, James Cameron’s 1986 horror action hybrid Aliens elevated practical effects to new heights. Cameron once again teamed with his partner from The Terminator, Stan Winston, to create the massive alien queen animatronic. The queen stood over 15 feet tall and required two puppeteers to control the legs and arms.
The iconic facehuggers were either mechanical props or puppets operated via rods. The chest-bursting scenes were a combination of prosthetic torsos with latex mixtures. The Alien Queen alone took months to construct, and the smaller alien puppets required constant maintenance and coordination.
Who Framed Roger Rabbit? was a Landmark in Animation and Effects
1988’s Who Framed Roger Rabbit? was a groundbreaking blend of live-action and animation with elements audiences may not have known about. One example is, before the animators could include the cartoon characters, the production crew used practical props to allow the actors to interact convincingly with their animated counterparts. Everything that was represented by a cartoon in the final product had to be represented on-screen first.
When the toons had to interact with real objects, the crew used the invisible man technique, an approach famously used by stage magicians. Similar to the work of Frank Oz on The Empire Strikes Back, the sets were elevated, which allowed puppeteers to work from under the stage. Who Framed Roger Rabbit? remains a milestone for its balance between live-action, animation and practical effects.
Ridley Scott’s Blade Runner is a Visually Stunning Example of Practical Effects
Ridley Scott’s 1982 sci-fi epic Blade Runner brought cyberpunk to the big screen with its iconic representation of a dystopian Los Angeles. The film immersed audiences in a futuristic depiction filled with rainy, neon-filled streets. The shots of Los Angeles of the future were achieved through the use of miniatures.
The cityscape was around 15 by 8 feet and forced perspective was used to enhance the scale. The lighting of the film was a primary factor in creating the classic Blade Runner feel. The smoke and haze combined with the neon lights gave the movie its iconic, saturated atmosphere. Blade Runner, even with its many versions, is the best example of how to use practical effects to define a film’s visual identity.