The Blob (1988)
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59% of critics liked it
(17 reviews) -
49% of users liked it
(21,720 ratings)
After the phenomenal box-office and critical success of David Cronenberg's 1986 remake of The Fly, a series of big-budget remakes of '50s horror favorites rode in on its coattails in the late 1980s -- though none managed to rise above mere camp clones of their elders, albeit garnished with… More After the phenomenal box-office and critical success of David Cronenberg's 1986 remake of The Fly, a series of big-budget remakes of '50s horror favorites rode in on its coattails in the late 1980s -- though none managed to rise above mere camp clones of their elders, albeit garnished with modern makeup effects in an attempt to draw modern teen horror-junkies. One remake that managed to live up to its cheesy inspiration was Chuck Russell's version of The Blob, in which the title goo crashes to earth and promptly begins digesting the residents of a small California town while growing to gargantuan proportions. The clean-cut teen hero originally portrayed by Steve McQueen (his first starring role) is replaced here with a rebellious outsider (Kevin Dillon) whose preppie rival (Donovan Leitch) for the affections of the cute heroine (Shawnee Smith) is quickly eliminated by the all-consuming space-gelatin. No sooner has the plasma menace set up house in the town sewers when a shadowy government Blob Squad shows up under the direction of the grandfatherly Dr. Meddows (Joe Seneca), to clean up the mess... or not. This high-spirited remake replaces the '50s "Daddy-O" conventions of the original with '80s cynicism -- not even likeable characters are spared from the slaughter -- and anti-government sentiment. It also pushes the gore envelope in ways unavailable to its low-budget parent -- e.g. the scene in which one victim is sucked through a sink drain was only hinted at in the 1958 film, but here viewers are treated to the entire bone-crunching ordeal. Though the quality of blob effects seems inversely proportional to the creature's size (some of the climactic "wall-of-blob" footage is painfully cheap-looking), the end result is more blob for the monster-movie fan's dollar. ~ Cavett Binion, Rovi
- Directed By
- Chuck Russell
- Genres
- Horror
- In Theaters
- Aug 5, 1988 Wide
- Studio
- Sony Pictures Home Entertainment
Critic Reviews
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David Cornelius, Popcornworld
An old story retold with a fresh voice, eager to make improvements where they're needed and unwilling to tamper with scenes that don't.
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James O'Ehley, Sci-Fi Movie Page
As far as remakes go it ain't too shoddy . . .
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Stefan Birgir Stefansson, sbs.is
just a great sweet movie
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Widgett Walls, Needcoffee.com
Surprisingly worthy remake.
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Blake Davis, KFOR Channel 4 News
A fun, cheesy remake from writer Frank Darabont, who gets the tone just right.
See more critic ratings and reviews on Rotten Tomatoes
Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)
Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)
Cast
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Kevin Dillon
as Brian Flagg
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Shawnee Smith
as Meg Penny
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Donovan Leitch
as Paul Taylor
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Jeffrey DeMunn
as Sheriff Herb Geller
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Candy Clark
as Fran Hewitt
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Joe Seneca
as Dr. Meddows
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Art La Fleur
as Pharmacist/Mr. Penny
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Sharon Spelman
as Mrs. Penny
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Del Close
as Rev. Meeker
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Ricky Paull Goldin
as Scott Jeskey
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Paul McCrane
as Dep. Bill Briggs
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Billy Beck
as Can Man
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Michael Kenworthy
as Kevin Penny
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Robert Axelrod
as Jennings
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Beau Billingslea
as Moss Woolsey
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Frank Collison
as Phil Hobbs Projectionist
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Peter Crombie
as Soldier at Command Post
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Erika Eleniak
as Vicki De Soto
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Douglas Emerson
as Eddie Breckner
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Clayton Landey
as George Ruiz
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Pons Maar
as Theater Manager
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Julie McCullough
as Susie
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Bill Moseley
as Soldier #2
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Jack Nance
as Doctor
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Jamison Newlander
as Anthony
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Jack Rader
as Col. Hargis
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Charlie Spradling
as Co-Ed
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M. James Arnett
as Radio Man
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Rick Avery
as Soldier with Cracked Faceplate
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Kristen Aldrich
as Co-Ed
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Opelene Bartley
as Old Woman in Tent
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Don Brunner
as 1st White Suit/ Scientist
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Judith Flanagan
as Eddie's Mother
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Charlene Fox
as Woman in Doctor's Office
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Portia Griffin
as Gospel Singer
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Jennifer Lincoln
as Young Woman in Town Hall
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Daryl Marsh
as Lance
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Jacquelyn Masche
as 2nd White Suite
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Wade Mayer
as Movie Patron
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Moss Porter
as Sergeant
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Teddy Vincent
as Sally Jeffers
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David Weininger
as Soldier #1
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Craig Noble
as Puddle Soldier
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Richard Anthony Crenna
as Soldier Outside Town Hall
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Margaret Smith
as Nurse


