DISSECTING THE DIRECTOR: John Carpenter

Last Updated on July 23, 2021

“JOHN CARPENTER”


Get Big Trouble In Little China on DVD here
Get Big Trouble On Little China on Blu-ray here

Perhaps the most sought after director for this series is the horror maestro himself John Carpenter. Many of you readers have asked time and time again when he would get the dissection. Well my dear readers the time has come, since this past weekend was Halloween weekend it seemed like the perfect time to finally dissect the man, the myth, the legend. For as long as I can remember John Carpenter has been a staple of the horror genre and film in my life. When I was old enough to get a grasp on things I started watching his films and I loved every single one of them. It would be quite an event to track down a film of his I hadn’t seen before and I would always introduce family and friends to his work. Through and through Carpenter is one of my all time favourite filmmakers, there are many imitators but there can be only one.

BEST WORK


Get The Thing on DVD here
Get The Thing on Blu-ray here

Carpenter has the kind of career that means so much to so many and each film holds its own meaning. I think everyone has a different idea of what his best is and what their favorite is. For me my favorite film by Carpenter is also the one I deem the best he has done. To those who know me this pick should come as no surprise, it is one of my favorite (and best) horror films and that folks is THE THING.

It is almost strange to think in this day and age where remakes are coming out all the time much to our dismay that back some thirty years ago Carpenter chose to remake one of his favorite films. So what is it that he did so right? Why wasn’t this film a complete mess like remakes are today? Well Carpenter understood what a remake should be, it should honor the original and be its own entity at the same time and that is exactly what he did. I didn’t discover this film till around ten years ago when I popped in the VHS (yeah remember those things?) and the rest is history. I sat on the couch and I was in a tight ball of tension, I remember as the end came around I thought to myself ‘do I have a new favorite film?’ it had that much of an instant impact.

Films don’t generally terrify me, but this did just the trick. From the remote outpost location to the threat of an alien that could be anyone, it was fantastic. I loved the setting; they did a great job at recreating an Antarctic outpost. I loved the interior; it was unsettling and almost claustrophobic with how small it felt and how many people were there. It has some of the best (and yes by today’s standards) practical FX work, it looked genuine and the alien creature is menacing. When it is in transition or has been found out, the half and half look is gruesome and when I first watched it I had a hard time looking at it. The tension and suspense that builds up throughout the film is amazing, the famous blood scene is perhaps the most intense and white-knuckle scene you are ever likely to see.

THE THING is a perfect film for me; it hits all the right notes. The actors are fantastic; the score by the legendary Ennio Morricone is haunting and fitting. John Carpenter went above and beyond with this film; there is nothing else like it. Along with something like Cronenberg’s THE FLY, I consider THE THING to be one of the best (if not the best) remakes ever made.

WORST WORK


Get Ghosts Of Mars on DVD here
Get Ghosts Of Mars on Blu-ray here

This might be a controversial thing to say but Carpenter’s worst is still better than say Wes Craven’s bottom of the barrel picks. For me Carpenter does not really have a bad film, I actually think all of his films have some merit. The film I have chosen as his worst isn’t something I find that bad, I just don’t think it works as well as the rest on his resume. Again just like with picking the best, I am sure everyone has a different pick with his worst. For me it is GHOSTS OF MARS, and saying it is his worst you know what? It is still a fun and decent watch; I don’t mind putting this film on when it is a rainy day.

What doesn’t work here is the film actually feels the least like a Carpenter film and more like a direct to DVD affair of some random person. The sets don’t look as great as they should have; the script isn’t as polished as you would expect and the story borders on being dull at times and the cast can be laughably bad. However it is things like the bad acting and the unpolished script that add to the enjoyment factor. Natasha Henstridge is probably one of the worst, yet she remains watchable and is some nice eye candy. Jason Statham is here in an early role and you can see a glimmer of a future action star. He is fine and actually rather enjoyable. Ice Cube is terrible; he might be the most irritating part of the film. Pam Grier feels out of place but doesn’t at the same time, she’s badass and there ain’t nothing wrong with that.

The production of the film has a very cheap feel about it; it becomes apparent it is a set and not a real place. The enemy that our heroes have to battle at the Mars colony are also somewhat confusing and a very weak aspect of the film as well. It is just a very hit and miss film, sometimes it feels good other times it feels bad, it is really uneven. When compared to something like ESCAPE FROM L.A. that never really took itself seriously where with this you can never tell.

TRADEMARKS


Get Escape From New York on DVD here
Get Escape From New York on Blu-ray here

I’d say Carpenter is a man of many trademarks, ones that aren’t difficult to spot and even ones we look for. Personally and again if you know me this will come as no surprise but my favorite trademark is the always-awesome Kurt Russell. The pair have made a bunch of films together and it seems to be a pairing of actor/director that fits the best. Whether it be Kurt Russell playing Elvis or battling the strange as Jack Burton he fits into every role Carpenter has for him. The two have a bond and a strong understanding of each other, for these two to have found each other is amazing. I can’t imagine cinema without the pairing and the iconic films and roles they have given us. This is my tribute and salute to these two men; I applaud all their absolutely amazing work.

Away from that, the other trademark I love is Carpenter scoring his own work. Is there anything more memorable than his Halloween theme? It is perhaps his best known score and despite it being something simple it is just so effective. The man has such talent with music; he has given us some great stuff. I love his use of the anti-hero, the most famous being Snake Plissken as he knows how to sell it. The man likes to include some apocalyptic themes, and even has an unofficially titled Apocalypse Trilogy. Of course Carpenter has done a few other remakes, and his films have also been the source of remakes.

Let’s not forgot that everything he does is John Carpenter’s and he likes to reference Hitchcock and always has a sense of paranoia. He also has the habit (just like David Lynch) of casting musicians. There are plenty more trademarks but I might be here all day naming them; these however are my personal favorites.

HIDDEN GEM


Get In The Mouth Of Madness on DVD here

As with the other topics the hidden gem is debatable, and I am sure everyone will have a different answer when asked ‘What is John Carpenters hidden gem?’ For me what I am going to name might just be my favorite film of the films I have named a hidden gem (along with Romero’s MARTIN). That film would be IN THE MOUTH OF MADNESS starring Sam Neill.

The film is Carpenter’s Stephen King unofficial biography via the way of H.P. Lovecraft. King and Carpenter are good friends, and like for many filmmakers an inspiration. I was blown away when I sat down to watch this, I had to search for this title and eventually found it on VHS. It scared me and it reached into my very soul and I think it has forever left a mark. The intense paranoia and just the raw power of it all was such a mind fuck, I loved every second of it. I was reminded of the film when I watched Carpenter’s Masters Of Horror entry ‘Cigarette Burns’ the mystery and the madness of something are things this man knows how to portray so well.

IN THE MOUTH OF MADNESS is well acted, Sam Neill is amazing and perhaps one of my favorite performances of his amongst so many. Julie Carmen and Jurgen Prochnow are also fantastic and let us not forget the legend that is Charlton Heston showing up and stealing some scenes. There is so much at play with this film; I think it is one of the very best of the sort. It certainly goes under the radar and I always have a hard time finding anyone that has actually seen it. If you are one of those unfortunate people, seek this out. If you are a Carpenter fan, a King fan or a Lovecraft fan this should suit you nicely. It is different to a lot of his other films but it has that Carpenter feel all over it.

OVERALL


Get Halloween on DVD here
Get Halloween on Blu-ray here

Carpenter is a legend; in my eyes he really is the man. He has given us so much, from ASSAULT ON PRECINCT 13 to THE FOG to STARMAN to PRINCE OF DARKNESS to VAMPIRES, whether his films are straight up horror, action, adventure or a bit of everything there is always something to suited to every person, every mood or every situation. I think the man has gotten a bit of a bad wrap as of late with THE WARD being disappointing to some, but you need only look at that impressive resume and see how many amazing films he has delivered, there are people out there who could only dream of doing 1% as well as he. Give it up for this amazing man and everything he has done. Spit some bullets below and let us know what your picks are for Best/Worst/Trademarks/Hidden Gem and let’s celebrate this amazing director.

Source: Arrow in the Head

About the Author

694 Articles Published