There are so many things to love about horror, but one of the best by far is the kick ass masks that our favorite villains don when they’re ready to get down to some serious killing. Not that a human face can’t be scary. Hannibal Lecter is the most obvious example of how that’s not true.
Still, there’s something terrifying in the cold, inhuman stare of the right face cover. Whether it’s a modified William Shatner, or just one of the best pieces of sports equipment of all time, masks have a unique ability to brand a killer and send chills down our collective spines.
So let’s all get down with these identity covers, and if you’ve got a winner that I missed then spit bullets and let us all know what you love!
WARNING – GREAT HALLOWEEN IDEAS AHEAD! 10. Halloween Masks, HALLOWEEN III: SEASON OF THE WITCH Generally I find that this entry in the Halloween series is neither as bad as its detractors claim, nor as good as its 5 or 6 supporters would like to believe. It’s a fairly disposable little horror tale that is lifted above its actual merits by the ridiculously awesome gore in it. Gore that is a direct result of some of the most thoroughly f*cked up masks ever to hit a toy store shelf. So say what you will about the movie, the masks are amazing.
9. Cupid Mask, VALENTINE I love when cute stuff gets put into service of gory/evil stuff. So I was thrilled with the Cupid faced killer in Valentine, even though the movie itself was a pretty by-the-numbers slasher. Thankfully some great kills and that eerie as all hell mask made it easy enough to enjoy.
8. Hunting Mask, PREDATOR Any mask that has a laser sight on it is very alright in my book. And let’s be honest, the Predator looks a lot more badass wearing that sucker. Those beady eyes they’ve got are a little silly. Not that I’d tell one that in person. I also dig the fact that you’ve essentially got a monster wearing a mask, which is a nice literal twist on the metaphorical usual.
7. ChromeSkull, LAID TO REST This fun new genre entry gets the prize for the coolest sounding mask –
ChromeSkull. Not only does it sound awesome, but the mask design lives up to the potential of the name. I guarantee that Destro’s mask in G.I. JOE this summer will not be nearly this cool looking.
6. Skin Mask, THE TEXAS CHAINSAW MASSACRE More flat out revolting than frightening, take a moment to really think about running around, and thus sweating heavily, in a mask made out of various other people’s skin. Ugh. The mask loses some of its power because there’s so much focus on the chainsaw in the imagery of the tale, but still, not a bad entry in the genre cannon.
STAY TUNED FOR PART 2!