3 stars for the fun film and 5 stars for the Criterion production
While I hadn't seen this movie in years, I remember it fondly from my youth. This is one of those that I saw several times on Friday Night Fright TV. Unfortunately I've been stuck with a VHS copy until now with Criterion's Blu ray update. The best that can be said about the film is that it represents the "B" movie genre of the day in good fashion. Bad acting prevails. I don't recognize any of the actors either by name or by face with the obvious exception of Steve McQueen.
McQueen got a lot of recognition for his role as "Steve" and became a breakout star on TV and in the movies. The special effects are nothing special. Essentially an object falls from space and lands in a rural part of Pennsylvania. After some poking and prodding, an ooze is released and slithers its way into town. As it grows it becomes even more menacing. That's pretty much it other than Steve and the other teens lead the battle against The Blob. The film has a certain cult status and is fun to...
Kids find themselves in a sticky situation
The Criterion Collection version of The Blob is worth the purchase as they took great effort to give you al the DVD goodies that enhance your viewing pleasure. Be aware that there are other DVD and VHS versions that are not up to par.
Steve McQueen as Steve Andrews and Anete Corsaut as Jane Martin (also Helen Crump in The Andy Griffith Show) are supposed to be teenagers; they are negotiating in a quiet parking place in a convertible, when a shooting star lands quite close. Naturally this is more interesting to them than what they were about to do; so they go to investigate. An old man gets to the site first and poking around with a stick gets blobulated. And maybe his little dog too. Things really get sticky from that point with no one to believe them as kids don’t know nothing.
If you like this movie then the next one to see is a variation called “Killer Klowns from Outer Space” It takes the same theme to absurdity.
An Awesome Work of Incredible Cheese
Steve McQueen was in his late 20s when he starred in The Blob but you can't help but think he looks much older. He had that old school Hollywood characteristic of looking much older than any 28 year-old man of today, but ultimately looking completely believable in any role he grabbed. Though it was his first starring role, and the picture might not be the best film ever made or anything, he definitely knew how to command the screen.
I grew up in a household where science-fiction pictures (especially B-esque pictures) were welcomed with open arms. I have many memories of watching War of the Worlds (1953), Forgotten Planet (1954), and of course, The Blob. I lived in the Tampa Bay area during my childhood, and during that time, a local television host (aptly named Dr. Paul Bearer) who used to show many of these types of pictures on Saturday afternoons. It was my film school, before film school.
But back to The Blob. The film centers on two teenagers (McQueen and...
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