“Pretty Impressed”: Underrated Stephen King Adaptation Gets Glowing Review From VFX Artists

VFX artists react to the visual effects work used to bring the vehicular menace of Stephen King’s Christine to life. Released in 1983, the John Carpenter-directed supernatural horror was adapted from King’s novel. It starred Keith Gordon as the unwitting young owner of a car that possesses a murderous mind of its own. While Christine failed to impress King himself, the general positive reception and box office gross allowed the movie to stand out as one of the author’s most well-known adaptations.

Following on from a comment on a previous installment in their “VFX Artists React to Bad & Great CGi” series, Sam Gorski, Niko Pueringer, and Jordon Allen of Corridor Crew decided to explore the effects of Christine.

Looking at one of the sequences in which the cursed car begins to repair itself, the three VFX artists highlighted how reverse footage and a duplicate vehicle made of more malleable plastics were imploded by high-powered hydraulic pumps to create the effect of Christine’s healing abilities. Despite their praise, Sam highlighted the flaws in the “vacuum-formed” model that hinted at the trickery.

What Impact Has Christine Had On Pop Culture?

Unfortunately, Stephen King Was Not A Fan Of The John Carpenter Movie.

Despite its success, King’s dissatisfaction with the final cut has been well-documented, with the author stating that he found himself bored by the adaptation, similar to his complaints about The Shining. However, Christine has had a lasting impact since it was released. It has surprising perseverance throughout pop culture, from Futurama combining King’s tale with the Universal Monsters classic The Wolf-Man to nods in Stranger Things. Furthermore, a new remake announced in 2021 may offer the hellish car a second chance at life.

Announced in June 2021, Sony Pictures Entertainment was confirmed to be teaming up with Blumhouse Productions to work on the Christine remake, with Jason Blum. Hannibal and American Gods showrunner Bryan Fuller was recruited to serve as both director and writer for the upcoming movie at the time, marking his directorial debut for the first time in his 27-year career. Despite this, no further updates have been given since Fuller confirmed he had completed the script in October 2021, though both Carpenter and Gordon have shared their best wishes for the director’s work.

As audiences await the Christine remake, Corridor Crew’s reflection on the original movie’s special effects is a welcome look at how the original stood out. With the incredible detail provided by the movie’s car model, audiences may be surprised by the truth behind its creation, with some eager to revisit every transformation. With the original 1983 movie’s effects standing out to this day, it leaves the question of how a modern remake could elevate the work from the first iteration.

Source: Corridor Crew