Ray Harryhousen

[Ed, Ego and Superego]

I just noticed this piece of (obvious) similarity between two Harryhousen creations....
Ymir


Kraken


-Ed

[skuts]

Poor old Ray was losing his touch by the time he did Titans. I saw a lot of rehash there. The real similarity is between Ymir and the 7th Voyage Cyclops, which was built upon the Ymir's armature.

[WilliamWeird1313]

Also in Clash Of The Titans, you'll notice that the Calibos model is just a reworked version of the Trog model from Sinbad & The Eye Of The Tiger. I wouldn't go so far as to say "losing his touch," though. I didn't think there's necessarily anything wrong with adapting the old creatures for the purposes of a newer movie.

[Jim H]

Also in Clash Of The Titans, you'll notice that the Calibos model is just a reworked version of the Trog model from Sinbad & The Eye Of The Tiger. I wouldn't go so far as to say "losing his touch," though. I didn't think there's necessarily anything wrong with adapting the old creatures for the purposes of a newer movie.

I don't think his work on Clash of the Titans is as good as some of his older work in emotive expressiveness of the creations.  That may not be all his fault though, depending on how and if he was directed to animate, or how the background plates were done, etc. 

IIRC, when I saw Harryhausen speak at a showing of Jason and the Argonauts, he said he reused and altered the Ymir design as he really liked the creature and thought it didn't get enough props.  Something like that anyway.

[WingedSerpent]

Being designed by the same artist-and remember, these where both fictional creatures, as opposed to the dinosaurs and prehistoic animals from a lot of his other films, its no real surprise that there some repeating looks and motifs. 

[Ed, Ego and Superego]

What bugs me is that I never ever noticed.  I have seen both of thes emovies several times. 

[Nathan]

His Medusa was still Iconic, to the point where if a traditional Medusa appears in fiction without the lower body of a snake, I cry fowl.  

[Criswell]

has anyone here seen the Blu ray box for Clash of the titans? it looks like crappy photo shop, I mean the dvd cove is freaking awesome

compared to this

[skuts]

I love Harryhausen's, films, except for Clash of the Titans, which I thought was pitiful. I was embarrassed to be sitting in the theatre for the premier. Halfway through the film, I knew it was the end for Harryhausen.
I was at a film festival in NY about a hundred years ago where Harryhausen was the keynote speaker. This was just before Titans was released and tanked his career. A little kid, about seven or eight years old was there with his dad. During Q & A, the kid asked Ray where he could write to him and Ray says don't bother writing to me, kid, I'm too busy to read fan mail. Geez, Ray, at least give the kid your agents address. Nice way to downsize your future fan base.

[D-Man]

According to Wikipedia, Clash of The Titans was actually the 11th highest grossing film of 1981, so it was far from "tanking" his career.  He actually meant for that to be his last film, and on his own wishes, retired after its release. 

You have to understand, he's an old man, from a different era in hollywood. He doesn't really get modern filmmaking, or fandoms, so it's not surprising that he doesn't quite know how to handle hardcore fans of his work. 

One other thing, I think that viewers who think his creatures look fake are kind of missing the point.  He never meant for his monsters to look "real", but, in his own words, "fantastic".  I think that's one idea from Harryhausen that the CG artists need to grasp in order for their work to start really getting good. 

[Criswell]

According to Wikipedia, Clash of The Titans was actually the 11th highest grossing film of 1981, so it was far from "tanking" his career.  He actually meant for that to be his last film, and on his own wishes, retired after its release. 

You have to understand, he's an old man, from a different era in hollywood. He doesn't really get modern filmmaking, or fandoms, so it's not surprising that he doesn't quite know how to handle hardcore fans of his work. 

One other thing, I think that viewers who think his creatures look fake are kind of missing the point.  He never meant for his monsters to look "real", but, in his own words, "fantastic".  I think that's one idea from Harryhausen that the CG artists need to grasp in order for their work to start really getting good. 

Very well put. Karma!