Dir. Chuck Russell (1988)
A comet from outer space delivers an amorphous blob that grows out of control in a small town.
Today's film is one that I am absolutely sure I saw once upon a time but could not for the life of me remember almost anything about. Director Chuck Russell's The Blob is a cult classic remake that follows along a similar vein as The Thing and The Fly, which we covered earlier this month as part of our 31 Days of Halloween, as being remakes that are not only better than the originals but also considered to be the ultimate version of the film. It's easy to see why, too, because it is brutally violent, well told, and has some special effects that are right up there with those previous two examples as some of the best in horror history.
Brian (Kevin Dillon) and Meg (Shawnee Smith) find themselves on the run from an alien creature that grows out of control in the town of Arbeville, Colorado after it crash lands inside of a comet. The townspeople do their best to fight back, succumbing one by one as the creature swallows them whole and dissolves them inside its jelly-like interior. As the town develops a plan that will hopefully allow them to survive, they mount their final stand inside the city hall as the blob approaches and threatens to engulf them all.
The Blob is a remake of a cheesy 1958 movie that was already a cult classic, joining its inspiration in the pantheon of classic horror as a midnight movie. I first saw this film back in the 90's on one of those overnight marathons, and it's the perfect film for that kind of showing. It's cheesy, sure, but it's also a great example of the best special effects the 80's had to offer, with some truly outstanding scenes of dissolving flesh, broken bodies, and screaming victims. The effects stand up even today, and I couldn't help but think that these kills are every bit on par with Carpenter's own sci-fi classic. There are some gnarly broken bones in this one, cringe-worthy kills that deserve a place in the horror hall of fame for their effectiveness.
Director Chuck Russell, who burst onto the scene with A Nightmare on Elm Street 3: Dream Warriors, gives his best shot at recognizing the old 50's science fiction monster movies with this one. It's a technicolor homage to the old films, made all the more special because of the big, pink alien at the center of the film. The concept of being swallowed whole by a giant monster is always scary, but knowing what's going to happen to you when you eventually die is even scarier. The first kill scene, in which a high school student is sucked into the creature inside a hospital, is terrifying even all these years later, and goes to show just how different this film is from its namesake in brutality and the lengths it will go to shock its audience.
It's interesting, too, to see Shawnee Smith in a film so many years before what's considered her iconic role in the Saw series. She's not a Final Girl so much as she's a throwback to the female characters of the 50's and 60's, waiting to be rescued by her outsider male hero as she runs screaming from whatever is coming to get her. Dillon serves as this hero for the film, a motorcycle-riding ne'er-do-well who is just as used to running from the cops as he is working on his bike. The cheerleader and the bad boy is an archetype that has been used in hundreds of films before and since, and its used to great effect in this film.
There are so many films from this time period that have staked their claims as cult classics, but its rare that they're as effective today as they were when they were made. The Blob is absolutely not one of those films, because it's scary, incredibly well done, and has a series of visual effects gags that are still ghastly enough to make you jump out of your seat in 2024. If you, like me, haven't seen this movie in a while, it's time to update your viewing and give it another look. It's one of those perfect movies to watch during the Halloween season, a throwback horror that's still good enough to make you cringe.
Who this movie is for: Science fiction fans, Monster movie lovers, Jello appreciators
Bottom line: The Blob is a scary cult classic that is just as effective today as its ever been, a modern remake that punches well above its weight class. Great roles from Shawnee Smith and the lesser Dillon brother highlight a classic American tale with more than its fair share of blood and guts. The Blob creature is amazing, and director Chuck Russell never shies away from showing what it's capable of eating. This is a must-watch for horror fans, and it stands up incredibly well.
