Released to coincide with the release of Peter Jacksons KING KONG, THE SCI-FI BOYS (Universal Pictures Home Ent., $29.98, a Best Buy exclusive) is a documentary that pays homage to the lasting influence of Forrest J. Ackerman (FAMOUS MONSTERS magazine), Ray Bradbury and Ray Harryhausen. Written, produced and directed by Paul Davids (production coordinator and writer for THE TRANSFORMERS animated series), THE SCI-FI BOYS recounts how the generation of moviemakers inspired by the aforementioned trio and has made its mark as sci-fi filmmakers.
Peter Jackson, George Lucas, Steven Spielberg, John Landis, Dennis Muren, Bradbury, Rick Baker, Roger Corman, Harryhausen and others bring to life the evolution of sci-fi and special effects movies from the B-movie period right on up through the current blockbusters.
Among the voluminous bonus features is an in-depth interview with ILMs Oscar-winning Muren, who discusses the founding and growth of the Lucas vfx studio along with the creation and early development of Pixar. Includes several of Murens 8mm amateur movies.
In addition, Jackson discusses THE VALLEY, which he produced when he was 15. It included a stop-motion animated creature similar to Harryhausens Cyclops. Jacksons movie won an award for best special effects in a student production. According to Jackson, THE SCI-FI BOYS puts on record, for all of time, the contribution the great pioneers of this genre had on his generation of filmmakers.
Rick DeMott
Animation World Network
Creator of Rick's Flicks Picks
