Celebrity Nooz: The Blob 1988

The Blob (1988)

Movie Title: The Blob

Year Released: 1988

Rated: R

Runtime: 1h 35min

Genre: Horror, Sci-Fi

Director: Chuck Russell

Writer: Chuck Russell, Frank Darabont

Starring: Kevin Dillon, Shawnee Smith, Donovan Leitch, Jeffrey DeMunn, Candy Clark, Joe Seneca, Del Close, Sharon Spelman, Beau Billingslea, Art LaFleur, Ricky Paull Goldin, Paul McCrane, Michael Kenworthy, Douglas Emerson

Review: In a tiny California town, high school students Brian (Kevin Dillon), Meg (Shawnee Smith) and Paul (Donovan Leitch) discover a strange, gelatinous substance that melts the flesh of any living creatures in its path. The deadly substance gets into the town's sewer system, where it begins growing uncontrollably, occasionally emerging to feast on unsuspecting townspeople. A military clean-up crew is sent to eliminate the menace, but it may end up doing more harm than good.

The Blob is a remake of the 1958 cult classic, also called The Blob, starring Steve McQueen and Aneta Corsaut. The '88 version makes great use practical special effects to deliver a gelatinous blob that is more gruesome and gory than its predecessor. There is a sense of cheesy fun to this film that is very endearing, but what surprised me was how invested I became in the plot. I was genuinely curious to watch this story unfold and was intrigued to find out how Kevin Dillon, Shawnee Smith, and Donovan Leitch were going to stop this goopy monster.

This film follows many of the tropes from the first film. Our protagonists are teenage "delinquents" who are less delinquent and more so good-natured kids who are just out for a good time. What I particularly like is that the teenagers hold all the knowledge here. They've seen the Blob in action yet none of the adults in the town believe them. It becomes the teens fight until the adults become wise to the problem, but at that point, it's too late. The entertaining, slimy battle that ensues is great because you have a Blob hellbent on destroying a town vs. kids who just want to ride motorcycles, eat at diners, and be kids!

I really enjoyed this film for its intriguing plot, versatile characters, and of course, the Blob. I couldn't get enough of the viscous, pink bully rampaging around town consuming everything and everyone in its path. The Blob proved to be a worthy remake and a movie that is definitely worth your time.

Stars (out of 4):

Fun Fact: Prior to making this film, Donovan Leitch (Paul) and Shawnee Smith (Meg) were high school friends. Leitch actually took Smith to his senior prom.

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