My Favorite Monsters....

by Amber Leigh Williams


Okay, it's getting on toward Halloween and I just have to get something out of my system. So here goes....

*sigh* Sorry. I simply cannot properly prep for Halloween without doing the Monster Mash.

Today I want to continue the ghoulish October theme by counting down my favorite team of monsters! The truth is I don't like to be scared out of my skin so I'm not talking the really scary monsters like Freddy Krueger or that crazy kraken thing in the more recent Clash of the Titans. I prefer my monsters more, well...cuddly and furry....


#7 - Merrie Melodies' Rudolph

He's more furry than cuddly, but still - who can forget the classic 1946 Bugs Bunny cartoon "Hair-Raising Hare" with the big hairy orange monster in white sneakers? It isn't known to many people that this tough guy later became known fondly as "Rudolph" and then even later - continuing the cuddly and furry theme - "Gossamer." Above all others, this is the Looney Tunes episode that stands out most in my childhood, particularly the scene in which Bugs gives Rudolph a manicure, complete with mouse traps. Did anyone else want to give ol' Gossamer a hug when he ran screaming away from our clever wabbit?

#6 - Monsters, Inc's Michael "Mike" Wazowski

This might or might not be the Pixar junkie inside me talking, but there was nothing more funny in 2001 than Billy Crystal's green, one-eyed monster Mike Wazowski in Monsters, Inc. His harassed, fast-talking character was so lovable, in fact, that Disney decided to include him in hilarious follow-up cameos in the movies Finding Nemo, Cars, WALL-E, and Toy Story 3 as well. Great news to Mike Wazowski fans everywhere: it was announced recently that a Monsters, Inc. prequel is in the works with Billy Crystal, John Goodman, and Steve Buscemi all reprising their roles. (And yes, that noise you just heard was yours truly squeeeing....)

#5 - Hellboy's "Red"

A must-watch on Halloween is Guillermo del Toro's 2004 adaptation of comic book hero Hellboy, played by Ron Perlman. There are many things I love about Hellboy (or, as his on-again off-again girlfriend Liz likes to call him, "Red") such as his love for fuzzy kittens...his sarcastic quips...but most of all his drive to be one of the good guys despite the fact that he was built to be bad - very, very bad. Maybe it's simply his devotion to Liz that I find irresistible, but Red is one monster I dare anyone not to like. And speaking of sequels, the third Hellboy movie is in early planning stages. Can't wait to see how Red and Liz are faring with twins :)

#4 - Predator's Predator

While all the other romance fans were going to see the latest Twilight film in theaters, this nerd was going to see the new Predator movie.... This will probably be the scariest monster on our list. I never would have thought I would enjoy watching Predator, but the epiphany came during one of the many movie nights me and my future husband enjoyed during our eight-month courtship. (By the way, if you're looking for excuses to cuddle, a Predator movie is definitely recommended!) I have to say, though, that I much prefer this bad boy with his helmet on.

#3- Star Wars' Chewbecca

Okay, technically he's a Wookiee - but c'mon you gotta love him! Not only does Chewie co-pilot the fastest spaceship in the galaxy alongside Han Solo, he was named one of the "Greatest Sidekicks" in film history by Entertainment Weekly. (Yep, there goes that nerd alert again.) As it happens, Han and Chewie's relationship is one of my personal favorite bromances in the entertainment industry. Little known fact about Chewie: his full name is derived from the Russian and Ukrainian word for "dog," which is fitting considering that George Lucas's inspiration for the character was his own dog sitting up in the passenger seat of his car.

#2 - The Vampire Diaries' Damon 

He's not furry, but he's incredibly cuddly! I only recently admitted to my obsession with The Vampire Diaries television show and it all revolves around actor Ian Somerhalder and his delicious portrayal of vampire Damon Salvatore. Here's another bad boy doing good things.... When we first meet Damon, he's the deadly antithesis of his good brother, Stefan. Of course, the series plot slowly but surely turns all that on its head and, with the motivation of his love for heroine Elena in the driver's seat, he's fighting those vampire tendencies for the greater good. He's also by far the *ahem* sexiest monster on the list and could be beaten by only one other monster/hero.... 

#1 - Disney's Beast

He was the first Disney prince to bicker with his heroine onscreen, but since he's cursed to be big and hairy for a lifetime it's easy to forgive him. Beauty and the Beast is still one of my favorite fairytales. It really put to rest all that stereotypical rich and handsome hero business. The beast might just be Disney's lone antihero, a character catalogue that I find just as enticing as the romantic plotline. Funnily enough, in Disney's adaptation, the Beast doesn't have a real name. Would it perhaps be a bit too analytical to call him Prince Harry? :)

The fun continues here with you! Who did I leave off my list? Who is your favorite monster and why? (And apologies for getting the Monster Mash stuck in anyone's head!)