The Blob Blu-ray Review

Remakes, not a dirty word to me like a lot of people. In fact during the 80’s we had an entire slew of great science fiction films that were remade into amazing modern horror films. Sure they still had the sci-fi element but for the most part they were changed enough to become horror films, and let me tell you not only were they good but they were embraced by fans. The Thing, The Fly, and The Blob were all amazing. The Blob did not have the box office punch the other two did but it was well received by fans and has built up a massive following over the years.

The Blob is part horror, part sci-fi, part conspiracy film. When a meteorite crashes into a sleep mountain town an old bum comes across it and begins prodding it with a stick. Suddenly a pink and purple blob like substance shoots out and grabs the mans hand. As the town bad boy Brian Flagg (Kevin Dillon) is working on his motorcycle in the middle of the night in the woods he sees the old man run past him. They guy gets hit by a couple of high school kids, Meg (Shawnee Smith) and Paul. They take the old man to the hospital but after a few moments he beings melting away as the pink blob substance is now 50 times its size and eating him. It busts through a window and begins heading into town.

This thing gets massive, eating people at a diner, a movie theater chasing after kids in a sewer you name it. Now the sheriff department is on the case along with Brian and Meg, but so are a troop of government agents all in hazmat suites. See it turns out this Blob is not an alien. It’s a man-made biological weapon made in the 50’s that got launched into space when the government learned that it could not be harnessed or controlled. The government is here to take it for study and cover the entire thing up.

I love this film. It’s a true product of its time. I don’t mean that in a bad way but it features all the basic stereotypes of the era. Dillon, the bad boy is clad in a biker jacket, earring, smokes, drive a Harley, has long hair. Meg, the good girl is a typical preppy high school kid who should know better than to fall for the bad boy. The sheriff is the tough local good old boy, and of course the government agents are evil. Now that does not make it bad for todays standards. Its still a great film that deserves the following it has built up over the years. The effects, the small practical ones still hold up to this day. A few of the huge shots of the Blob especially in the movie theater look a bit cheesy by todays standards. Side note, that scene is sometimes used at the Alamo Drafthouse for the no talking ad they play. I always get a kick out of it when I see it. The acting is fantastic as the entire cast has great chemistry. The plot is tight and the film moves along at a frantic pace. And now thanks to the great folks at Scream Factory we have an amazing collector’s edition.

It's Scream Factory so the audio and video are amazing. The film has a very cool score and its great to hear it blast through your speakers. The film is so polished. It takes place at night so the shots are sharp and dark background wise, never with a blue tint which can really ruin a film. Everything else is sharp and bright. This film looks and sounds amazing, and speaking of amazing look at all the special features they have included.

NEW Audio Commentary With Director Chuck Russell, Special Effects Artist Tony Gardner, And Cinematographer Mark Irwin, Moderated By Filmmaker Joe Lynch
NEW Audio Commentary With Actress Shawnee Smith
NEW It Fell From The Sky! – An Interview With Director Chuck Russell
NEW We Have Work To Do – An Interview With Actor Jeffrey DeMunn
NEW Minding The Diner – An Interview With Actress Candy Clark
NEW They Call Me Mellow Purple – An Interview With Actor Donovan Leitch Jr.
NEW Try To Scream! – An Interview With Actor Bill Moseley
NEW Shot Him! – An Interview With Cinematographer Mark Irwin
NEW The Incredible Melting Man – An Interview With Special Effects Artist Tony Gardner
NEW Monster Math – An Interview With Special Effects Supervisor Christopher Gilman
NEW Haddonfield To Arborville – An Interview With Production Designer Craig Stearns
NEW The Secret Of The Ooze – An Interview With Mechanical Designer Mark Setrakian
NEW I Want That Organism Alive! – An Interview With Blob Mechanic Peter Abrahamson
NEW Gardner’s Grue Crew – Behind-The-Scenes Footage Of Tony Gardner And His Team
Audio Commentary With Director Chuck Russell, Moderated By Film Producer Ryan Turek
Theatrical Trailers
TV Spot
Still Gallery

This is one of my favorite horror films of the 80’s Its just a great fun time. Enough gore and suspense for the horror fans, but so well done that a casual film fan looking for a fun evening will enjoy as well. Its just the epitome of a good time. Be sure to pick this one up when it hits.

Overall 4 out of 5 Stars!