Rubberhead: The Life And Monsters Of Steve Johnson

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At a festival like Fantasia, where there are all sorts of exciting titles to choose from, it can be tough for documentaries to get attention. This changes, however, when the subject is special effects, and still more so when the effects legend in question os Steve Johnson, whose work has gained iconic status in some of the biggest genre films ever made. With the likes of Ghostbusters, Videodrome, Fright Night, The Howling, The Abyss, Spider-Man 2, War Of The Worlds and An American Werewolf In London to his name, Johnson dominated the industry in the pre-CGI age, and continued to make quite an impact thereafter.

More importantly as far as the viewer experience is concerned, this documentary is a thrilling ride in its own right. It really has to be to keep pace with Johnson’s life story, which began in the suburbs of Houston, Texas, where the film-obsessed youngster created his own effects for home movies made with friends. When a convention gave him the opportunity to meet his idol, Rick Baker – a man with an equally important reputation in his era – he eagerly took advice and, as soon as he turned 18, travelled to California and turned up on Baker’s doorstep. An enthusiastic trainee, he quickly made a name for himself, showed off his creative prowess, discovered new techniques, and discovered cocaine.

Though its subject may be technical, this is essentially a rock n’ roll story. It has all the classic elements: the raw talent who shines through against the odds, the rapid rise to fame, the dtugs, the parties, the dramatic falls, the inspired recoveries, the ending that is at once unpredictable and all too obvious. Throughout, a lively sense of play. There is also a celebrity marriage – to actor Linnea Quigley, who contributes here in an extensive interview, still obviously very fond of Johnson and, at this remove, able to get a clearer perspective on their youthful adventures and the mistakes they made.

An extensive personal archive makes it possible to include comment ftom Johnson at every stage of his career, his perspective changing over the years but his love of the work (and cocaine) never fading. There are some fantastic anecdotes here which would be fun even if the subject were banal. As it is, it’s full of big names and insights into hit films, including the likes of Predator and Where The Wild Things Are where Johnson’s word never made it to the final stages. It’s fun to see how he and his team took on seemingly impossible challenges, solved puzzles and put all the pieces together to bring their visions to life. It’s also refreshing yo see a film address the CGI revolution without feeling compelled to take a side. Rather than condemning the new techniques which ended the industry’s dependence on him, Johnson reflects on the new challenges they pose and on the ways that practical and computer generated effects can be used together to the benefit of both.

A ride like this can’t keep going forever, but even in its final stages, Nick Taylor’s film retains a wit and energy that will have viewers laughing aloud. Although it couldn’t possibly address every aspect of Johnson’s career, it’s well balanced and manages to capture all the important themes. Most importantly, it captures the spirit of the man, even if, for all the fun of it, you are left asking that old question: is man the real monster?

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