Product: The Blob (1988)
Rating: 5.0
a cool and fun remake featuring the terror that has no shape...
Noted for launching the film career of Steve McQueen,The Blob(1958) offered a different slant on alien invaders, during an era when there were some pretty wild permutations being presented in the movies. The remake of this science fiction thriller, The Blob (1988) retains the basic outline of the original story, while updating it for the times, and featuring some impressive special effects and gore. With some gross-out comedy elements, the remake is a fun time, delivering some decent thrills and a few laughs, with teenage kids again as the main characters.A meteor impacts in southern California, near the town of Arborville. An old man living in the woods, is investigating the crash site, when a strange substance gets on his hand and begins to interact with his flesh. High school student Paul Taylor (Donovan Leitch) is driving through the woods with his date Meg Penny (Shawnee Smith), when he accidentally hits the old man, who is apparently being chased by Brian Flagg (Kevin Dillon), a classmate with a reputation for getting in trouble.The three kids take the injured man to the hospital, after which Brian leaves. While being treated, the man is partially consumed, as a blob-like creature is released. This creature then absorbs Paul, in front of a shocked Meg, and exits the hospital. The police discount her story about a monster, so Meg seeks out Brian, who is eating at a diner. Meanwhile, the creature has entered the sewer system, and just happens to show up at the same diner for a late night snack. Hiding in a walk-in freezer, Meg and Brian manage to survive, as the creature has an aversion to cold. Eventually they end up at the meteor crash site, and are taken into custody by a government containment team, led by Dr. Meddows (Joe Seneca), who turns out to be your typical mad scientist type.With the basic players established, the story continues incorporating elements from the original story, like the Blob's appearance at a theater while a movie is playing. The blob then oozes back into the sewer system, pursuing Meg and her brother. The finish is pretty original, as some of the residents have barricaded themselves inside a church. Brian arrives on the scene driving a snow making truck, to try and stop the creature, however things don't go very smoothly, and only Meg's quick action helps to avert disaster.There isn't a lot of suspense or sheer terror, but director and co-writer Charles Russell's (Dreamscape,Eraser,A Nightmare on Elm Street 3 - Dream Warriors) remake, is definitely an enjoyable and entertaining ride. The story, co-written with Frank Darabont (The Mist,The Shawshank Redemption) is smart, moves along briskly, and holds together very well. The special effects are outstanding, and used well. The film is nicely cast, from top to bottom, with people like Jeffery DeMunn, Sharon Spellman, and Candy Clark, in minor roles. The acting performances by nearly everyone, are excellent for a movie in this genre. The teenagers played by Dillon and Smith, are intelligent, resourceful, and brave. You can totally get behind these characters. There are some occasional missteps, but for the most part this is close to perfection, for a sci-fi B-movie told in a traditional 1950's style. Unfortunately, besides a trailer, this release offers little when it comes to extras.