Favorites: ALIENS

Aliens have always been a part of the cinematic culture. From the birth of cinema, filmmakers have had a fascination with life amongst the stars. In 1902, Georges Méliès created a film about a trip the moon, where a group of scientists encountered another race of human-like organisms. Flash forward all the way to present day, and we have upcoming alien-centric films like Battleship and Men in Black 3. And in all that time in between, a slew of extra-terrestrials have graced the silver screen, and many of them have become ingrained into the public consciousness.

About a year ago, I first made a list chronicling my favorite cinematic extra-terrestrials. It wasn't a very in-depth post - I basically just put pictures of my favorite movie aliens in a list, and that was that. Ever since, I've been wanting to revamp the post a little bit, and seeing as I've been in a science-fiction sort of way for the past few weeks, I figured now was as good a time as any. And so, I've compiled a list of my twenty favorite aliens from film. The only real stipulations are that the character has to have appeared in at least one feature-length film, and the character must have origins on a planet other than Earth. I'll list them in descending order, so if you wanted to see my favorite, make a jump down to the bottom of this post. That being said, I hope you enjoy this list!

*****

20. Selenites

First Appearance: Le Voyage dans la lune (1902)

At the beginning of this post, I mentioned a little Georges Méliès film called Le Voyage dans la lune, which translates into English as A Trip to the Moon. It was a short film, spanning less than twenty minutes, but in that time, the world caught glimpse of what may have been the first cinematic creatures from outer space: the Selenites. Although a tad bit menacing, these creatures proved to be rather weak - it took only a blow to the head to destroy them. Despite this, they still provided the basic framework for every alien species that would ever be created in the medium of film, and for that, we should all be glad. We all should tip our hats to the brilliance that Méliès brought to the screen, both for creating these otherworldly creatures as well as creating the beginnings of the science-fiction genre.

*****

19. Ewoks

First Appearance: Star Wars: Episode VI - Return of the Jedi (1983)

Although I was tempted simply to list Wicket (pictured above) in this position, I ultimately chose to place the Ewoks as a whole onto this list. While Wicket is easily the most instantly recognizable of the bunch, it was the entire Ewok clan that helped the Rebel Alliance bring down the Empire in Return of the Jedi. And to think that all it took was a bunch of furballs using antiquated weaponry to bring down some of the most technologically-savvy villains in the galaxy. And they still managed to be cute and cuddly through it all. These guys were so beloved that they managed to nab two made-for-television spin-off flicks, and that alone has to say something.

*****

18. Aliens

First Appearance: Toy Story (1995)

Voiced by: Debi Derryberry

It'd be tough for me to leave these guys out of this list. Having grown up alongside the Toy Story franchise, their antics have become ingrained into my own consciousness. Whether they're worshiping the all-powerful claw or claiming their eternal gratefulness to a certain Mr. Potato Head, there's something terribly endearing about these three-eyed squeaky toys. The fact that they've become popular enough to last through three Toy Story films is also a tad bit incredible, but it's not something I'm really arguing against. They just know how to bring a smile to the audience's face.

*****

17. Spock

First Film Appearance: Star Trek: The Motion Picture (1979)

Portrayed by: Leonard Nimoy

I know that Dr. Spock has been around much longer than the first Star Trek film, but his inclusion in that film is what makes him eligible for this list. It was always nice to have a bit of a counter-balance to William Shatner's Captain Kirk, and as is evidenced by some of the film sequels, Spock had a much larger importance to the overall story than one could have originally imagined. Nimoy was perfect for the role, although I do think that Zachary Quinto did a fantastic job with the 2009 reboot.

*****

16. Aliens

First Appearance: Independence Day (1996)

These guys were some of the first aliens that ever gave me nightmares. Those of you who have been reading me for a while will remember these aliens' inclusion on the list of ten films that traumatized me, and to this day, they're still one of the creepier ones I've seen on the silver screen. They were equipped with an biomechanical exoskeleton that was creepy enough, but the smaller creatures housed inside those suits are just as spine-tingling. Their reflective eyes don't offer you any insight into what they might be thinking, and that might be the most terrifying part of all.

*****

15. Kal-El / Superman

First Appearance: Superman (1978)

Portrayed by: Christopher Reeve

I know you're probably thinking, "Superman isn't an alien, is he?" Although it's not really the way most of us think about him, his past tells us that he is, in fact, an extra-terrestrial. Born on the planet Krypton before its ultimate demise, this superhuman individual finds a home on planet Earth, where he becomes the savior of many and the spoiler of criminals everywhere. But at his base, Kal-El is a man of Krypton, and it's this little tidbit that makes him eligible for this list.

*****

14. Gonzo

First Appearance: Muppets from Space (1999)

Voiced by: Dave Goelz

Throughout Muppet history, the Great Gonzo was constantly referred to as a "whatever." He never resembled anything earthly, and as a result, he and his friends never knew just how to classify him. All of that changed with 1999's Muppets from Space, which finally gave Gonzo a sense of self in declaring him an extra-terrestrial. Having always been one of my favorite Muppets, I was glad to see that Gonzo was finally given a home and a sense of community rather than have him remain stuck as the "only one of his kind," so to speak.

*****

13. Paul

First Appearance: Paul (2011)

Voiced by: Seth Rogen

In a send-up of nearly every classic sci-fi film that's ever graced the silver screen, you'd think that a movie like Paul would manage to bring us something a little bit different in terms of their alien. And why Paul's look is about as classic as you can get (although the resemblance is explained in the film), Paul's personality is about as different and out there as the possibility of having an alien encounter. This wise-cracking, pot-smoking extra-terrestrial turned the concept of a friendly alien on its ear when Paul hit theaters in 2011, but underneath all the jokes and the rudeness, Paul has quite a big heart, and that's what makes him all the more endearing.

*****

12. Aliens

First Appearance: Close Encounters of the Third Kind (1977)

As I wrote in my review of Close Encounters (link above the picture), this film changed the game a bit for the sci-fi alien sub-genre. Before Close Encounters was released, the concept of an alien coming to Earth was usually as a result of some sort of violent invasion; however, this film helped re-shape the extra-terrestrial identity into the possibility for a friendly encounter between human and alien. And although the aliens themselves are a little bit dorky, their method of communication with their human counterparts makes them all the more mystical. It's simply difficult not to like them.

*****

11. Iron Giant

First Appearance: The Iron Giant (1999)

Voiced by: Vin Diesel

Animation has seen its fair share of alien life, but none is more fascinating than the Iron Giant from the 1999 film of the same name. The idea of an alien race made up of mechanical parts wasn't out of the blue in 1999 - you can thank the Transformers for that - but the Iron Giant was something a little bit different. The relationship he creates between himself and the young Hogarth is beautifully-crafted, and it makes for quite the turn of events as the film goes about its business.

*****

10. Prawn

First Appearance: District 9 (2009)

 The biggest sci-fi blockbuster of 2009 was easily James Cameron's Avatar, but there was a smaller sci-fi flick that I thought outperformed the big-budget vehicle on every level, including in its visual effects. While Avatar was winning all the awards, I was strongly making the case for District 9's beautifully-crafted Prawn, whose intricate bodies were the most complex I had ever seen brought to life on-screen. The fact that they fit seamlessly into a real-life environment only enhanced the brilliance of their creation, and it made them seem all the more realistic. That alone should give them the nod over a long list of other computer-generated aliens.

*****

9. Thing

First Appearance: The Thing (1982)

Don't let the above picture fool you into thinking you know what this crafty alien looks like. The whole point of The Thing is that we never truly know who or what this alien is because it has the ability to take on the shape of any living organism with which it comes in contact. This little feature makes it one of the more fascinating additions to the list as well as one of the more frightening. To think that the characters had to guess as to whether the people around them were themselves or were, in fact, this "thing" makes the concept of this alien incredibly terrifying.

*****

8. Barf

First Appearance: Spaceballs (1987)

Portrayed by: John Candy

Barf, which is short for Barfolomew, is a race of alien known as a Mog, which is short for half-man, half-dog. He appears in the 1987 spoof Spaceballs, which plays off many of the classic sci-fi films of the 1970s and 1980s. Barf himself is a bit of a play on the Chewbacca character from the Star Wars franchise, but he's a tad bit funnier than his Wookiee counterpart. And he manages to be one of the funnier parts of the film, so that's an added bonus.

*****

7. Klaatu

First Appearance: The Day the Earth Stood Still (1951)

Portrayed by: Michael Rennie

Although he looks just like a human, Klaatu is actually a man from another planet. He comes to Earth in order to warn the human population that the creatures in the universe have noticed the human penchant for violence, and that if they cannot change their ways, the planet may be destroyed. I always thought there was a bit of a religious feeling towards the film, and a lot of it stems from the somewhat Christ-like Klaatu. Rennie plays him well, and the character offers a timeless message that we should all hear.

*****

6. Audrey II

First Appearance: Little Shop of Horrors (1986)

Voiced by: Levi Stubbs

If you have a giant plant like a venus fly trap that sings and feeds on blood, you can be sure that I'm going to be intrigued. Add the fact that it can sing, and I'm going to be hooked. That's exactly what we're getting in Little Shop of Horrors, and Audrey II is every bit as charismatic as he sounds. And despite the fact that he is inherently evil, it's still incredibly difficult to hate him entirely. There's just so much to love!

*****

5. Kro-Bar & Lattis

First Appearance: The Lost Skeleton of Cadavra (2001)

Portrayed by: Andrew Parks & Susan McConnell

Most readers won't have any idea as to whom Kro-Bar and Lattis are, but for the few who do, I'm sure they'll nodding with approval at their inclusion on this list. Natives of the planet Marva, the husband and wife duo lands on planet Earth and find themselves stranded until they can find the element atmosphereum, which powers their spacecraft. In their quest to find it, they stumble upon a nefarious plot crafted by none other than the lost skeleton of Cadavra. If any of this sounds a little ridiculous to you, then you're guessing correctly. The Lost Skeleton of Cadavra is a send-up of 1950s B-movies, and it's nearly perfect in every way. And Kro-Bar and Lattis are simply astounding.

*****

4. Chewbacca

First Appearance: Star Wars (1977)

Portrayed by: Peter Mayhew

How could I possibly leave Chewie off this list? The big guy has to deal with so much throughout the course of the Star Wars saga, and he still manages to hold his head high and become one of the series' central heroes. Whether it's dealing with Han's shenanigans or having to listen to being called a "walking carpet," the universe's most famous Wookiee has plenty on his plate. And still, there's something endearing and affectionate about him, and there's plenty of reason as to why he's featured so highly on this list.

*****

3. E.T.

First Appearance: E.T.: The Extra-Terrestrial (1982)

Voiced by: Pat Welsh

I would argue that E.T. is easily one of the most beloved cinematic extra-terrestrials ever to grace the silver screen. There's something about this long-necked, short-legged brown creature from outer space that's absolutely lovable. Maybe it's his physical appearance. Maybe it's the way he talks. Maybe it's his loving and generous personality. Maybe it's those brilliant eyes that truly show off his emotions. Whatever the case, I think you'd be hard-pressed to find a movie-goer who doesn't think that E.T. belongs on a list like this. And even thirty years later, he's just as beloved as he was back in 1982.

*****

2. Xenomorphs

First Appearance: Alien (1979)

When I think of a terrifying alien, this is the first image that pops into my head. When you have a film simply titled Alien, you can be sure that it's going to at least offer you some sort of extra-terrestrial life. The fact that it gave the world one of the most menacing and fearsome creatures ever put to celluloid is something else entirely. What's so scary about the Xenomorph is that it's horrifying in every stage of its life. It starts out by being laid into the stomach of its host. Once it reaches a certain age of maturity, it bursts out of the host's chest, killing them almost instantly. Finally, it grows into the nearly-unstoppable creature picture above. And through a number of sequels and spin-offs, the Xenomorph has continued to be terrifying, even if the movies in which its appeared have become more and more lackluster. At the end of the day, I'd still hate to run into one of these guys.

*****

1. Yoda

First Appearance: Star Wars: Episode V - The Empire Strikes Back (1980)

Voiced by: Frank Oz

I had a lot of trouble choosing the top spot for this list, but it ultimately came down to Yoda, who embodies so many different character qualities throughout his time in the Star Wars saga. When you first meet him, he brings a bit of comedic relief. Then, he turns into the mentor and teacher, leading Luke on his path towards becoming a Jedi. And in the prequels, Yoda is given even more dimensions, showing off an even greater hotheadedness than we saw in the initial trilogy. But what's truly most appealing about Yoda is that, in his heart, he's one of the truest characters to grace the screen in the Star Wars films. He has a very distinct sense of what's right and wrong, and he will do whatever it takes in order to ensure that justice prevails. If that means using force, then he'll do it. If it means using words, he'll do that as well. The sage of the cinematic alien world, there should be no doubt that Yoda is the best. The top of the list, he is.

Favorites: PIXAR CHARACTERS

After I watched the 2007 documentary The Pixar Story yesterday, I had the sudden desire to craft a list of my favorite Pixar characters of all time. So that's exactly what I did. Below are my twenty-five favorite animated characters from Pixar films. With each, I've given their first film appearance as well as the person who gave the character a voice. I've also included some of my favorite quotations for each (speaking) character for your reading pleasure. If you've been reading my stuff for a while, you'll recognize some of these characters from my list of favorite animated characters of all time. So without any further delay, enjoy!

25. Boo
Monsters, Inc. (2001)
Voiced by: Mary Gibbs
Memorable Quote: "Kitty!"

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24. Hopper
A Bug's Life (1998)
Voiced by: Kevin Spacey
Memorable Quote: "It's a bug-eat-bug world out there, princess."

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23. Nigel
Finding Nemo (2003)
Voiced by: Geoffrey Rush
Memorable Quote: "Don't make any sudden moves. Hop inside my mouth if you want to live."

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22. Wheezy the Penguin
Toy Story 2 (1999)
Voiced by: Joe Ranft
Memorable Quote: "We're all just one stitch away from here to there."

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21. Buddy Pine / Syndrome
The Incredibles (2004)
Voiced by: Jason Lee
Memorable Quote: "See? Now you respect me because I'm a threat."

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20. Gill
Finding Nemo (2003)
Voiced by: Willem Dafoe
Memorable Quote: "Fish aren't meant to be in a box, kid. It does things to them."

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19. Bullseye
Toy Story 2 (1999)

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18. Mike Wazowski
Monsters, Inc. (2001)
Voiced by: Billy Crystal
Memorable Quote: "Good morning, Roz, my succulent little garden snail."

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17. Rex
Toy Story (1995)
Voiced by: Wallace Shawn
Memorable Quote: "I'm going for fearsome here, but I just don't feel it!"

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16. Mater
Cars (2006)
Voiced by: Larry the Cable Guy
Memorable Quote: "Ain't no need to watch where I'm goin'; just need to know where I've been."

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15. Hamm
Toy Story (1995)
Voiced by: John Ratzenberger
Memorable Quote: "We're next month's garage sale fodder for sure."

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14. Roz
Monsters, Inc. (2001)
Voiced by: Bob Peterson
Memorable Quote: "You didn't turn in your paperwork last night."

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13. Woody
Toy Story (1995)
Voiced by: Tom Hanks
Memorable Quote: "Reach for the sky!"

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12. Dory
Finding Nemo (2003)
Voiced by: Ellen DeGeneres
Memorable Quote: "I shall call him Squishy and he shall be mine and he shall be my Squishy."

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11. Dashiel 'Dash' Parr
The Incredibles (2004)
Voiced by: Spencer Fox
Memorable Quote: "That was the best vacation ever! I love our family."

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10. Mr. Potato Head
Toy Story (1995)
Voiced by: Don Rickles
Memorable Quote: "Son of a building block! It's Woody!"

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9. Carl Fredricksen
Up (2009)
Voiced by: Edward Asner
Memorable Quote: "You in the suit! Yes, you! Take a bath, hippie!"

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8. Emperor Zurg
Toy Story 2 (1999)
Voiced by: Andrew Stanton
Memorable Quote: "No, Buzz. I am your father."

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7. Russell
Up (2009)
Voiced by: Jordan Nagai
Memorable Quote: "A wilderness explorer is a friend to all, be a plant, a fish or tiny mole."

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6. Bruce
Finding Nemo (2003)
Voiced by: Barry Humphries
Memorable Quote: "Fish are friends, not food."

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5. Buzz Lightyear
Toy Story (1995)
Voiced by: Tim Allen
Memorable Quote: "To infinity, and beyond!"

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4. Luxo Jr.
Luxo Jr. (1986)

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3. Dug
Up (2009)
Voiced by: Bob Peterson
Memorable Quote: "I was hiding under your porch because I love you."

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2. Crush
Finding Nemo (2003)
Voiced by: Andrew Stanton
Memorable Quote: "First you were all like 'whoa,' and we were like 'whoa', and you were like 'whoa...'"

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1. WALL-E
WALL-E (2008)
Voiced by: Ben Burtt
Memorable Quote: "EVA!"

Favorites: ANIMALS & CREATURES

Like my post for my favorite animated characters of all time (which would now probably include the titular character from Rango), I have compiled a list of my favorite animals and "creatures" from the annals of film history. And also like the previous list, I have given myself a few stipulations and limitations for this assortment. Well, I've only given myself one, actually: the animal or creature cannot have been made through the use of animation or computer generation. Therefore, it had to have been made into a physical prop or puppet that directly interacted with other components of its respective film (i.e., actors, other puppets, etc.). I mostly did this so that the list wouldn't be nearly identical to the aforementioned animated characters list, but I think I've compiled a pretty good set. So without any further adieu, here's the list of my twenty favorites, listed chronologically in order of their original appearance:


KING KONG
First Film Appearance: King Kong (1933)
Oh, that great ape from the way back when. Although he wasn't the first great beast to grace the screen (the 1925 film The Lost World is the first that comes to mind, but I'm sure there were others with equally massive giants), Kong is easily the most memorable and most instantly recognizable. He's had quite a storied history, appearing in seven films over the years, culminating in the Peter Jackson remake from 2005. He's battled Godzilla (in 1962) and a mechanical version of himself (in 1967), so I'm sure he's got quite a few scars to go with the years, but there will always be a special place in my heart for this giant gorilla. I was originally introduced to Kong on the Universal Studios Hollywood Backlot Studio Tour where he "attacks" the tram on a bridge. Sadly, that particular part of the attraction was destroyed in a fire in 2008, but I'll always remember it and the creature that spawned its inception.

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THE CREATURE
First Film Appearance: The Creature from the Black Lagoon (1954)
If you click on the link above, you'll see that I only watched this film very recently, so the Creature is still in my immediate consciousness. Sure, it may look a little bit goofy. Yeah, it's not scary at all by today's standards (although I'm holding out quite a bit of hope that the proposed 2013 remake will present a horrifying Creature). But there's something very sinister and lethal about this human-like being that lurks beneath the still waters of a black lagoon in the Amazon. Perhaps it's the fact that the Creature gets the slip until the film's waning moments. Perhaps it's the fact that it attacks from the blackness, giving little to no warning of its coming. In a way, you could make an argument that the Creature may have influenced the creation of a certain shark in a certain summer blockbuster in the summer of 1975, but I won't go to such lengths. But the Creature should be remembered and be admired despite coming from one of the better B-movies of the 1950s.

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GODZILLA
First Film Appearance: Gojira / Godzilla, King of the Monsters! (1954)
If I'm putting King Kong onto this list, there's no possible way that I could leave off his reptilian counterpart. The gargantuan Godzilla has appeared in twenty-eight films to date, with another film slotted to be released in 2012. His first appearance, however, came in 1954 with a man dressed in a costume smashing tiny sets at his leisure. I don't know about you, but I would've loved that job. I haven't seen the original Japanese version of the film - just the American analogue which is basically the same with some American-centric scenes inserted to form a little more plot - but if you're watching any of the Godzilla movies, you're watching to see what carnage and mayhem the monster is going to wreak. Us Americans actually tried to make our own Godzilla flick, crafting a monster that bears nearly no resemblance to the original, and the movie flopped as it probably should have. Give me the classic Godzilla any day.

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OLD YELLER
First Film Appearance: Old Yeller (1957)
If you've never seen Old Yeller, then I'd actually caution you if you're thinking about giving it a gander. You could probably call it the Marley & Me of the 1950s (although I've never seen Marley & Me, but I know how it ends and that's probably why I didn't want to see it). Now that I've effectively given away the ending to this classic film, I can talk about Old Yeller himself. He's a Labrador Retriever/Mastiff mix, but when I first saw the film as a child, I couldn't quite distinguish that from the Golden Retrievers my family always owned. As a result, I developed quite a strong liking for Old Yeller, and this liking soon became a love and affection for this cinematic dog. I think that makes the film all the more traumatic for me, but that's neither here nor there. Old Yeller is easily my favorite dog to ever grace the silver screen.

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THE SHARK
First Film Appearance: Jaws (1975)
There's no way that the most famous shark in cinematic history was ever going to be left off this list. Since the first time I watched Jaws, it has easily been one of my favorite movies of all time. I could go on for ages about the film itself - I'll do a "movie recommendation" for it at some point or another - but this post will focus only on the shark. Part of the reason the shark is so effective as a terrifying character was because the audience never actually sees the shark until at least halfway through the movie. Before that point, Steven Spielberg chose to use a sleight of hand approach, showing the shark without actually "showing" it, so to speak, using underwater tracks to give the appearance of a massive beast gliding beneath the ocean's surface. Sure, the final reveal of the actual shark isn't as impressive as it must have been back in 1975 (I do admit it looks a little bit fake by today's standards); however, there's no denying the cultural impact that Jaws had, and it all stems from this toothy menace that comes from the depths.

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THE ALIEN
First Film Appearance: Alien (1979)
In terms of pure terror, there's few movies that can edge out Alien (for me, at least). I can honestly say that Alien is the only film in which I've actually screamed out loud while watching it, and I'm perfectly comfortable with admitting that here and now. When people think about aliens, the first thing that often comes to mind are little green men from Mars. But when they think about "movie" aliens, this is often the first image that pops into their head, regardless of whether they've seen any of the films in the Alien franchise, of which only the first two are really worth watching. With a menacing look, acid saliva and a smaller, impaling head that explodes from its mouth, it's no wonder why this creature has terrified so many for the past three decades. And on top of that, it's quite a structural sight to behold. Kudos to the creators.

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THE GOPHER
First Film Appearance: Caddyshack (1980)
Now, I know I might take a little bit of grief for this, but I'm actually not a huge Caddyshack fan. I didn't find it terribly funny, but it did have two very redeeming characters: Bill Murray's Carl and the ever-present Gopher who continues to haunt his days. The ongoing battle between the two is easily the most memorable for - at least for me - an ultimately forgettable film (I'm sorry!). This indestructible little rodent proves to be one of the film's funniest assets. The puppet is a little outlandish, but that makes it all the more appealing for comedy. It makes sounds like a dolphin, which never truly makes sense but always brings continuous laughter. Oh, and did I mention it dances? I haven't seen the film in a while, but if I remember correctly, the Gopher dances on a number of occasions, but none is more memorable than his final groove to Kenny Loggins' "I'm Alright," which comes just after Carl tries blows up half the golf course in an attempt to kill the critter. Win for the Gopher.

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YODA
First Film Appearance: Star Wars: Episode V - The Empire Strikes Back (1980)
With all of the magnificent and strange creatures presented in the extended Star Wars universe, I very easily could have gone with any number of other characters. My mind passed over Jabba the Hutt, the Sarlaac, a wampa, and a number of other beings, but I finally had to go with the ultimate Jedi Master: Yoda. When he first appears in The Empire Strikes Back, he just seems like a little green muppet (which is exactly what he is, actually) that doesn't really warrant much concern. However, we quickly learn that Yoda is one of the strongest beings in the galaxy in terms of his commune with the Force. With his tiny stature, Kermit-like complexion and tendency to take in backwards-formed sentences, it's hard to imagine Star Wars without him. He makes his way through five of the films (and he's technically "around" for the one in which he doesn't appear), making him one of the most seasoned characters in the franchise. And although he was created through computer-generation in Episodes II and III, I'd still prefer to see him as he first appeared back in 1980, sitting on a log, telling Luke Skywalker that he means him no harm.

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BUBO
First Film Appearance: Clash of the Titans (1981)
Now, you could probably argue that I shouldn't include Bubo the Owl on this particular list considering it's a mechanical creation from the goddess Athena, but it is a mechanical owl, which was still an animal the last time I checked. In a film that takes itself a tad too seriously (but nowhere near as much as the 2010 remake, which somehow left Bubo out of the story), this owl provides a consistent stream of slapstick comedy. Even its appearance - a shiny golden sheen of "feathers" and massive metal eyes - is a little bit goofy. In a way, Bubo doesn't fit into Clash of the Titans in any way whatsoever. I mean, we've got gods and men and ancient creatures like Pegasus flying around, and then this futuristic contraption with artificial intelligence comes swooping in to save the day on a number of occasions. It's a little weird, but I'm definitely glad that we were introduced to this little guy.

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E.T.
First Film Appearance: E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial (1982)
I suppose if I can mention an Alien crafted of pure evil, I might as well balance the list with an alien who's crafted of pure goodness. E.T. quickly swooped into the hearts of millions upon the film's release back in the early '80s, and to this day, he continues to do so. He starts out as this tiny creature on the run from capture from grown men, ultimately finding a safe haven in the home of a young boy named Elliott. When the two meet, they develop an immediate friendship that bonds them more closely than Elliott could have ever imagined. They're so close, in fact, that whatever happens to E.T. happens to Elliott as well. This proves a little troubling for his family towards the end of the film when E.T. falls terribly ill, but the beauty, innocence and spirit of their friendship is really what resonates throughout the entire film. E.T. may be a goofy-looking alien, squatting low but holding his high with that slender neck, but he definitely has a glowing heart (pun intended).

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FALKOR
First Film Appearance: The NeverEnding Story (1984)
This one might bring up a swell of nostalgia if you're anything like me. The NeverEnding Story used to be one of my favorite childhood films, and to this day, I'll always take the time to sit back and watch it. One of my favorite characters has been and will always be Falkor, a luckdragon that helps our hero Atreyu in his quest. When I was younger, a little part of me was scared of Falkor because I always felt that he might turn on Atreyu and maybe eat him. But those passing thoughts faded as I grew older, realizing that Falkor is one of the most sincere characters to appear in this story. He's the perfect mix of a dragon and a dog, and both facets are shown in his character. His booming voice and laugh probably led to my childhood fear, but now I can still imagine and hear that voice whenever I think about this friendly and majestic beast.

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AUDREY II
First Film Appearance: Little Shop of Horrors (1986)
When you've got a movie that's centered around a flesh-eating plant that's determined to take over the world, you probably know exactly what you're getting yourself into. When the film also happens to be a musical in which said plant has a couple of musical numbers, then you might besquealing with pleasure. If you're into that sort of thing, of course. Audrey II is fascinating in all stages of its life and growth, but it really hits its peak when it reaches its massive size in the side shop on Skid Row. Provided with voice work from Levi Stubbs, who was best known as the lead singer of the Motown group the Four Tops, we get a fun and sadistic character that holds its own against an already fantastic cast. You'll be laughing at what it says and sings, but you'll also be worried about just how far this thing will go to get what it wants. It's filthy, it's irreverent, and it's definitely one of the most fun creatures to grace the silver screen.

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BRUNDLEFLY
First Film Appearance: The Fly (1986)
One of the best parts of the 1986 remake of The Fly (the original was a 1958 Vincent Price vehicle) is that we get to see the gradual, if totally disgusting, transformation of Jeff Goldblum into said fly, or "Brundlefly," as he calls himself (in relation to his character's name - Seth Brundle). While I could have included the 1958 version of this human-fly concoction, the 1986 creature is much more fascinating, as you can see from the picture to the left. The final product is quite disturbing, but the slow change from man to fly is definitely a sight to behold. We see the complete mutation of a man into a fly, as parts of his body begin to fall off and he begins to gain superhuman strength. I warn you now - The Fly is not for the faint of heart, especially if you're not terribly great with the gross and the gory. It's a little bit tame by today's standard set by the likes of the Saw franchise, but it's still not something you're really going to forget anytime soon.

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PREDATOR
First Film Appearance: Predator (1987)
If I'm going to throw the aliens from Alien on this list, I suppose I should also include their biggest adversary from the 21st century (yes, I'm referring to those terrible Alien vs. Predator flicks). Although the Predators got their own revamp last summer with Nimród Antal's Predators, they first got their start back in the late '80s when they were doing battle with the Terminator himself. Personally, I like them better when they're the film's antagonist. The biggest problem with the recent "versus" movies is that they made the Aliens the villains, leaving the Predators to adopt more humanistic tendencies and become protagonists alongside the humans just trying to survive. And although there have been other moments where specific Predators have empathized with humans, I'd still take the quarry-hunting sort any day of the week.

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R.O.U.S.'s
First Film Appearance: The Princess Bride (1987)
In term's of screen-time, the Rodents Of Unusual Size (or "R.O.U.S.'s") definitely rank as one of the lowest on this list. They only appear in one particular scene in The Princess Bride, but it does prove to be a rather important scene, with Wesley having to do battle with one of them, ultimately finding himself rather injured at this giant rat's bite. There's really nothing all that special about these creatures aside from their name which has always stuck in my consciousness. It's such a simple name, but it totally fits within the whimsical nature of the film. Whereas a normal person would just call it a "giant rat," we're instead told that they're of "unusual size." Yeah, it's a little bit lame, but these R.O.U.S.'s are always one of the first things I remember from The Princess Bride, so that has to count for something, right?

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GRABOID
First Film Appearance: Tremors (1990)
I don't recall the characters ever calling these "giant worms" by the term "graboid" in the first film, and to be fair, I have not seen any film in the Tremors franchise aside from the first effort. But what an effort it was. Our first journey into Perfection, Nevada left us - let alone the cast - totally unprepared for the type of creature they'd have to face. I think "giant worm" may be the best way to describe this massive being, but it's got so much more going for it than that. With it's beaked bill, it can grab and snap at its prey. and don't forget about the snake-like tentacles that it spews from its gaping maw! Those prove to be the most fatal parts for a few citizens of Perfection. In a way, you could call this a moving Sarlaac because it has a similar mouth and feeding pattern (if you're in tune with the Star Wars universe, you'll know what I'm talking about). The term "graboid" may have come around in a later film, but that's now the name we have for these dirty and deadly creatures, and I'll forever have a fondness for them.

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SPLINTER
First Film Appearance: Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (1990)
You can have your pick from our four famed heroes - Leonardo, Raphael, Donatello and Michelangelo - but I'm going to take their aging but fearless mentor, Splinter. With his storied background and his expertise in martial arts, he's the perfect sensei for this rag-tag group of adolescent, anthropomorphic amphibians. Splinter presents himself in a calm and collect manner, much as one would expect a master of martial arts to approach life. Even when the tides turn against him and his "sons," as he frequently calls them, he rarely ever loses his temper and always stays true to his heart and to his training. That's made especially difficult by the adolescent angst he has to deal with on a daily basis, but Splinter does manage to make a couple of friendly stabs at the turtles. Can anybody say "cowabunga?"

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T. REX
First Film Appearance: Jurassic Park (1993)
I know that I said that computer-generated creatures could not make this list, but I'm only slightly bending the rules on this one. Yes, there's a significant portion of the film that relied on special effects to bring the king of all dinosaurs to life, but Stan Winston and Co. also created scale robotics for necessary human interaction. Therefore, T. Rex finds a spot on this list, so no complaining or pointing out any problems with my logic. Now, I could have had my pick of the litter in terms of choosing a dinosaur from Jurassic Park, and part of me wanted to place Velociraptor on this list instead. However, the majesty and the brutal power of the Tyrannosaurus was just too much to pass. It's the first dinosaur that comes to mind when you think about Jurassic Park (mostly for its ripple-causing footsteps), so it has to take the cake.

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GOLGOTHAN
First Film Appearance: Dogma (1999)
Judge this creature not by its appearance... or its smell, for that matter. If you're wondering just what this "Golgothan" is, then you have to look no further than the slightly warped but always brilliant mind of Kevin Smith. In his irreverently hilarious look at Catholicism, the protagonists stumble upon this creature which is essentially a "shit demon." After some explanation, we learn that the demon is composed of the final bits of fecal matter of the people crucified at Calgary, where Christ himself had been crucified. Along with its most horrendous odor, the Golgothan also sports superhuman strength and the ability to launch massive balls of... well, poo, at his enemies. Although his appearance in the film is short-lived, it's definitely memorable. You won't forget this demon anytime soon.

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THE MUTANT
First Film Appearance: The Lost Skeleton of Cadavra (2001)
Yes, this is a little bit of a weird addition to this list, but the Mutant from The Lost Skeleton of Cadavra helps to epitomize the absolute absurdity of the whole film. In case you haven't seen the film or read my recommendation of it (linked above), then you should know that this film is basically a parody of the old B-movies from the 1950s. They go about as far as is humanly possible, and the Mutant is no exception. It looks terrible, almost as though it's going to fall apart at any moment. A child could easily have thrown it all together in a matter of seconds. It's that level of ridiculousness that makes it such a redeeming part of the film. And that's why I love it so much. Just embrace it's amazing stupidity all wrapped up with a heart of gold. Yes, I said it - a heart of gold. Just watch the movie, and you'll see what I mean.

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Animated Characters