'THE BLOB'. Original or remake? Your choice.

Inspector Hammer! · 06-02-2003, 04:47 AM

After having watched both this past week, I have to say most definitly I prefer the remake! It just capitalizes and expands (no pun intended) on all the themes from the Steve McQueen classic. Plus, I find the blob in the newer film to be WORLDS more threatening than the slow ball of silly putty from the original.

Don't get me wrong, I like the original, but I didn't find it's titular monster all that threatening, it was too slow IMO. I like the new one because it's closer to what was probably intended for the original, but was unable to be realized with effects of the time. However with the effects they had in the late 80's, were able to create a blob that was lightning fast, erupted into rooms like lava, lashed out with tenticals, chase down it's victims and dissolve them in increasingly sicker ways.

One of the last big monster films to use the old optical printer style effects, stop-motion animation and puppetry, and it still holds up well. But I won't lie and say I wouldn't love to see what could be done with the blob using CGI! I know a lot of you have a problem with CGI, but that technology could do wonders with the blob if either another remake or sequel were to spring up. However, that's niether here nor their, the effects in the remake kick ass as they are!

I also love how the film throws all the rules out the window in terms of who is supposed to die and who isn't, nobody is safe in this film! Not the good jock, old people or even children! You see that scene and you know that horror films then had balls, do you think they'd do that now? I don't think so. I also find the classic movie theater scene sequence to be quite terrifying in the remake, with the ever expanding blob visible through the strobe lights.

Anyway, I think Chuck Russel did a fantastic job with this, he took the original elements and change some things around, and that's alright because he always kept the spirit of the original as the films core.

You may have trouble getting past Kevin Dillon's very 80's mullet though if you haven't seen the film in awhile.

So, which do you guys and gals prefer?

Malcolm R · 06-02-2003, 08:44 AM

The remake has always been a favorite guilty pleasure of mine. I'm not sure I've ever watched the original in its entirety, since it seemed a bit silly to try and be scared of something that looks like a molded salad at Thanksgiving.

Alex Spindler · 06-02-2003, 08:55 AM

Remake absolutely. I have it proudly displayed among my collection.

I've been quite impressed by how well the special effects hold up considering how much time has passed. I also loved that they killed

Spoiler:

.

Favorite bit: A gung ho soldier type pulls the pins on his grenades and is ingested. A few seconds later you can see the Blob flash internally to no ill effect. Great touch.

Trivia - Was co-written by Frank Darabont and has Erika Eleniak and Charlie Spradling.

Robert Crawford · 06-02-2003, 09:52 AM

The original is pure 1950s' camp and will always have a place in my heart as a guilty pleasure. Anybody that is a fan of the original should take an opportunity to see the Criterion DVD release of it with some good insight into the making of the film. I'm also a fan of the remake, but for different reasons.

Lew Crippen · 06-02-2003, 10:49 AM

What Robert wrote.

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Chuck L · 06-02-2003, 11:11 AM

Another person who agrees with Robert.

The original is perfect...for it's time. It is still very effective and I remember when I was a child enjoying the hell out of this movie and now, I still enjoy it, but I am astonished at what they were able to do with the effects at that time.

The remake, I enjoy that one as well, but it is because they did take it in a different direction. I also like the fact that they upped the violence.

Both of these films sit proudly on my shelf.

Steve Phillips · 06-02-2003, 03:00 PM

I have a great affection for the original film (even the sequel!) but the 1988 remake is one of my favorites.

Rob P S · 06-02-2003, 07:56 PM

Love that remake! Cheesy as hell but great fun.

Inspector Hammer! · 06-02-2003, 09:47 PM

Maybe those here with the Criterion edition can answer a question for me that i've always wanted to know, how did they do the blob in the original? What substance was used?