FACE OFF (SyFy Channel Wednesdays)

Review by Jason Lees, MoreHorror.com

FACE OFF is the SyFy Channel’s take on Project Runway. It’s that simple. At first glance, it would make more sense to compare it to VH1’s Scream Queens because of the genre link, but this is that rare reality show that respectfully follows the competition and not the drama (although I’m on record saying that Scream Queens is one of my all time favorite guilty pleasures).

FACE OFF, like Project Runway, is about the art and the dedication that the contestants bring to their dreams, not about who is talking about who, and who wants to kick whose ass. That might make the show a little dry, but that level of focus on the craft is what will hopefully bring in viewers.

What we get is a standard format elimination style reality show where contestants are given challenges in the field of special make up effects. As the show continues, we’re promised glimpses into the pro’s world and a sort of ‘how do they do that?’ type of fun. From the premiere episode, however, the tricks of the trade are kept to a minimum, but hopefully that’s only due to time restraints. With so many still competing and not yet eliminated, the show’s run time has to focus on so many projects and not on any one design. I’m hoping that as the show continues, we’ll see more time spent on just how the effects are achieved.

The makers of the show should realize that the horror/sf community is a bit more knowledgeable than your average HGTV viewer and maybe they’ll give us more of what we want. For now, it’s a sharp little show and getting to watch the judges really scrutinize the work the way we’d all like to is reason enough for the armchair makeup maestros in all of us to tune in. At least until Scream Queens 3 finally gets here.