The Blob (1988)

Remake of the 1958 sci-fi horror classic about a deadly blob from another planet which consumes everything in its path. Teenagers attempt without success to warn the townspeople, who refuse to take them seriously.

Director:

Chuck Russell

Writers:

Theodore Simonson (earlier screenplay), Kay Linaker (earlier screenplay) (as Kate Phillips)

Stars:

Shawnee Smith, Kevin Dillon, Donovan Leitch Jr.

6 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Kevin Dillon	...	Brian Flagg
Shawnee Smith	...	Meg Penny
Donovan Leitch Jr.	...	Paul Taylor (as Donovan Leitch)
Jeffrey DeMunn	...	Sheriff Herb Geller
Candy Clark	...	Fran Hewitt
Joe Seneca	...	Dr. Meddows
Del Close	...	Reverend Meeker
Paul McCrane	...	Deputy Bill Briggs
Sharon Spelman	...	Mrs. Penny
Beau Billingslea	...	Moss Woodley
Art LaFleur	...	Pharmacist / Mr. Penny
Ricky Paull Goldin	...	Scott Jeske
Robert Axelrod	...	Jennings
Bill Moseley	...	Soldier #2 (in sewer)
Frank Collison	...	Hobbe

Storyline

Meg Penny is a cheerleader out on her first date with one of the football players, Paul Taylor. It doesn't go very well. Before they get where they're going, an old vagrant runs out in front of Paul's car, screaming in terror. The old man is closely followed by Brian Flagg, the local teen rebel, complete with long hair, black leather jacket, motorcycle and tough-guy attitude. Paul blames Brian for chasing the old man, but after the threesome takes him to the doctor's office, it becomes clear the vagrant had more to worry about than some young tough. He was screaming because of the acid-like substance on his hand - a substance that spreads over his body and eventually consumes him. Soon, the growing red blob, which sprouts tentacles to attack its victims, becomes a menace to the small town of Arbeville, Colorado. The military soon arrives in Hazmat suits, led by the wide-eyed Dr. Christopher Meddows. They're from the government, they say, and they want to help; but Brian's distrust for...

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Plot Keywords:

body horror | black hair | african american | movie theatre | garbage disposal | 

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Taglines:

If it had a mind, you could reason with it. If it had a face, you could look it in the eye. And if it had a body, you could shoot it.

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Genres:

Horror | Sci-Fi | Thriller

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Certificate:

R

Details

Official Sites:

Sony Movie Channel [United States]

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

5 August 1988 (USA)

Also Known As:

La mancha voraz

Filming Locations:

Abbeville, Louisiana, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$19,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$2,644,000, 7 August 1988, Wide Release

Gross USA:

$8,247,943

Company Credits

Production Co:

TriStar Pictures, Palisades California Inc.

Technical Specs

Runtime:

95 min

Sound Mix:

Ultra Stereo

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

This is the second film where Jamison Newlander's brother's name is a variant of Ed. The first being Edgar Frog in "The Lost Boys" which was made the year before.

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Goofs

When Dilon's characters goes out from the police station, the shadow of the camera is clearly seen (minute 37).

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Quotes

[first lines]
Announcer: That's a first down. Ball at a thirty five-yard line.

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Crazy Credits

The credits at the end of the movie are pink colored to match the monster's color.

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Alternate Versions

Some prints contain an alternate version of Eddie's death; in the DVD print, he rises from the water appearing to be a mass of decayed grey flesh. In the alternate version, he rises from the water as a completely skinless, but obviously human, corpse.

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Connections

Referenced in Cinemassacre's Monster Madness: Matinee (2016)

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Soundtracks

Feel My Love
Written by Alien, Janet Minto and Pam Barlow
Performed by Alien
Courtesy of Virgin Scandinavia AB

User Reviews

"Better than the original?" not really relevant, its just "different!"

Given the 30 years gap between the two films....it certainly isn't "thirty years better"..... just 30 years different!

Certainly a good attempt at a remake but not within a bull's roar of John Carpenter's THE THING which blew the original out of the water! (Why, so many climed on its back I could never fathom!)

Dillon does an exemplarary job in an "I'm angry with everyone" McQueen reprise. Part LOST BOYS part EASY RIDER, Dillon handles the Blob pretty well. Lots of people die, some you might not expect but hey, like ET its the Government's fault again isn't it? Anyway, all the bad guys get their come-uppance, so no problem! Neat little ending too. Shame no movie producer has capitalised on it!