Customer Reviews

The Blob

5 star:		(67)
4 star:		(30)
3 star:		(13)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(12)

 

 

When I saw that the CRITERION COLLECTION was bringing THE BLOB to DVD - I have to admit I was shocked. This effective and classy little 1950's monster flick was getting the kind of star treatment that most films released on DVD are begging for. And for good reason... THE BLOB is an excellent movie. It hits all the marks, it stands it grounds, it never bores you and it provides you with a original (and even credible) monster that to this day is still more sinister than most that cross the screen (and yet remains the most fun - really, if gum chewed back, it would look like the BLOB). CRITERION again shines here... period style box art (including in the lower left corner a warning that the producers of THE BLOB can not be held libal for heart attacks or faninting from watching the film), a fact based booklet featuring the orginal poster art from the release for it's cover, plus a half sheet poster of the box art that is high quality and all glossy... a beautiful touch. The disc features an excellent transfer of the film. The colors are crisp and the sound is still effective and well balanced. Two audio commentaries are included with the disc, and each are insightful and entertaining. Both remain pretty much screen specific, but do branch out from time to time to explain a host of inside details (like why McQueen wished had had taken a percentage of THE BLOB, and how the leading lady wasn't cast until the very last second... which was the very first day of shooting). Trailer is included, as well as what is really a excellent addition... a photo collection of behind the scene stills, effects (even what the real BLOB looked like off camera and just how big it really was... little hint: not very), and rare BLOB props and BLOB memorabilia - overall CRITERION has given us yet another must have for DVD owners. If you're a fan of the period and the genre, then THE BLOB is a must, I can not recommend it enough... it's pure fun. And if you know someone this holiday season that is getting a DVD and into 50's shockers... start them off right and pick up the BLOB.

THIS IS THE WAY DVD IS MEANT TO BE! When I purchased this DVD, I was originally taken aback by the high price. I knew nothing of "The Criterion Collection" until this disc. What they have done is nothing short of a miracle...restore THE BLOB to its original cinematic glory. The digital remastering is the most pristine I have seen for any movie, THE BLOB or no. The mono soundtrack is so clean, I could have sworn it was dimensional. The extras are a real treat. This is a fully-loaded DVD and one worth every penny. Fans of THE BLOB will rejoice with this DVD. All others will probably shrug their shoulders. This is eye-popping fantastic, from a technical standpoint. Buy with confidence!

I hadn't see this movie in quite awhile, so when I saw it out with the 'Criterion Collection' treatment, I picked it up pretty quickly. The transfer is really good, and the colors come through brilliantly. Just seeing the blob oozing around, all bloated on the blood of it's victims is quite creepy. I do wish I could have seen this at the drive in, as that seems to be it's perfered format of venue, but this is the next best thing. I loved the part where the old man finds the small meteor and starts poking it with a stick. You just know something bad is going to happen. And then when he starts playing around with the blob on that stick, the ooze sliding down, getting closer to his hand....and the theme song...I had almost forgotten about that. It's so unlike a horror movie theme, but very catchy. Reminds me of that song 'Purple People Eater'. Anyway, the movie is a great piece of 50's sci-fi with great effects that's a lot of fun. Also included with this editon is a poster, and a few extras on the disc, but a lot less than I would have thought. I was expecting a little more, but what are you going to do? It seems odd that the Criterion Collection edition of Carnival of Souls should have as many extras it did and there not be more for The Blob. Anyway, if you like classic sci-fi, this one is a no brainer.

Those expecting a pristine copy of this 1958 sci-fi classic should seek out Criterion's DVD (which Amazon also carries) rather than this no-frills budget version. For serious fans of "The Blob," the Criterion version is the only way to go and includes two separate audio commentaries from producer Jack Harris and director Irvin Yeaworth, among others. Also included is a photo stills gallery of collector Wes Shank's Blob collection, including the famous red silicone masquerading as a man-eating monster from outer space.

For casual fans of the film, however, this version (from Beverly Wilshire Filmworks, distributed by Front Row Video) is serviceable enough with VHS-like viewing quality. The source material isn't terrible, but is certainly nowhere near as crisp and clean looking (and sounding) as the Criterion version. It is the full-length version, however, and is presented in full screen (pan & scan). But that's all you get, there are no extras to be had, not even chapter breaks. You just slip the disc into your DVD player and it plays automatically.

Residents of Chester County, Pennsylvania (west of Philadelphia) may recognize a few of the film's locations including the Colonial Theater in Phoenixville and the Downingtown Diner, both of which are featured prominently in the film's climax. These cinematic "landmarks" are still in existence today, well over 40 years after the film was made.

First of all, I want to say that 1958's The Blob is a landmark picture and a fantastically fun sci-fi/horror film. Steve McQueen is perfect in it, and it's quite possibly the best sci-fi cheese to come out of the 50s.

HOWEVER, I'm fed up with the Criterion Collection. What this company seems to intend to do is snatch up the rights to many, many great movies, "class" them up with minimal special features, and sell them at obscene prices. This edition of The Blob has ONE DISC, and the only special features are two commentaries. And we have to cough up $40 to have it.

There are no other options; If you want to own this masterpiece, you have to be able to fork up forty dollars to do so.

Criterion is trying to target great films that should be enjoyed by everyone to a wealthy group of people.

One of the few pulpy movies that survived the 1950s Sputnik/Atomic glut of monster scares to become a true classic, The Blob comes to us on a packed, digitally pristine Criterion DVD. With a compelling commentary and a supurb transfer, The Blob never looked better. Really.

Starring B-Movie-Meister Steve McQueen as a 35-year-old high school student, The Blob details the adventures of a pile of Jell-O stranded on Earth after its spaceship, which looks like a pockmarked bowling ball, crash-lands outside of Smallville, USA. The Blob exists to do nothing but eat people, which leads to a slight interplanetary misunderstanding after it begins devouring the denizens of the town. McQueen and the girl he was trying to score with at the local "parking" place are the only two who know what's going on, and attempt to convince the town's adults, obviously influenced by propaganda films such as Reefer Madness, that a lump of cheesy monster effect is really eating everyone and growing larger.

From the campy music to the campy dialogue, The Blob practically oozes the essence of films like Plan 9 and Them!. Criterion has seen fit to give us a worthy addition to their library and ours, offering two commentary tracks and a transfer that makes the movie look and sound like it just came out of Skywalker Ranch. They also pack the case - literally - with an extremely thick (and entertaining) book, and a smallish, folded movie poster. And, of course, the usual Criterion "colored bars" option.

As far as discs go, this one is highly recommended, for the content as well as the obvious care taken with bringing this film to the DVD format. Sci-Fi fans and movie fans alike will want to add this release to their collection.

"The Blob" was my first experience with a Criterion edition disc.
The transfer to disc and color restoration are excellent.

I have been a fan of this movie for many years, and have it on (non-Criterion) VHS. I was very disappointed to discover the CRITERION edition has been EDITED..!

On the (non-Criterion) VHS version, In the "racing in reverse" scene just outside of Doc Hallen's office, Steve says to the others, that the (traffic) light will change by the time they get there.
This segment has been DELETED from the CRITERION edition.

Granted, some viewers may have no opposition to this deletion, however, I am a nostalgist and a vintage movie collector. I personally find the deletion appauling. I played this section of the disc repeatedly thinking I may have just overlooked it. I hadn't.

For a company who is promoted as seeking and transferring to disc the "best quality print" of a movie, only to DELETE a segment of that movie, especially a cult classic.. I am disappointed to say the least. And thus, unfortunatly, I must give THIS EDITION a poor rating. However, I will say this; if it were not for the deleted segment, I would have given it a 5+

First off, be aware that this is a cut-rate DVD version of "The Blob," the greatest 1950's camp science fiction film. There is a Criterion Collection edition of "The Blob," and that is all that needs to be said to indicate to you which one you want to pick up. The Criterion Collection edition of "The Blob" is loaded with enough DVD extras to make watching the film itself only half the fun. So if you are a big fan of this classic horror flick, then this is not the DVD edition that you want to pick up (unless, of course, you just want to watch the movie; but why would you want to do just that?). Not only is the Criterion version superior, this DVD could be judged inferior all by itself without another point of reference, so be warned. The film is a five, but this DVD is a three (at least it is widescreen), so split the difference and make the right choice instead of flipping a coin to decide which version to get.

"The Blob" is quite simply a cult classic film, with Steve McQueen (!!!) in his first starring role taking on a Jell-O like creature from outer space out to eat everybody in its path. Or, as the tagline put it in 1958: "Indescribable... indestructible... insatiable!" You cannot do much better than that. McQueen is young Steve Andrews, who leads his friends against the Blob when the local sheriff and the other adults refuse to listen to the truth (just think of him as rebel with a real important cause). The movie ends with a climactic confrontation at the local movie theater. No wonder everybody wanted to see this one at the drive-in; you were safer there. Then again, this would have been a great date movie either place as it would be sure to send your creeped out girl friend into your arms for safety.

"The Blob" has always had a special place in my heart because they actually showed us this movie in high school (along with "Carousel" and "Thoroughly Modern Millie"--please do not try to find a common denominator between those films, you might hurt yourself). I have no idea why they would do show us this film from an educational standpoint (Bad things happen to bad kids? Do not go to the movies to make out?), but it remains a cherished memory of those halcyon days. Larry Hagman directed a lousy sequel/spoof in 1972 and then there was a less than distinguished remake in 1988. Taken together they are not as much fun as the original Blob. But then what in this world would be?

Watching the Criterion version of 'The Blob' I am amazed how vivid and brilliant the colors are on this very clean print of the film. This classic movie would look incredible in HD! The film itself is one of the best 50's Sci-Fi features of all time. From the opening title song which makes you tap your toes and wanna take bosa nova lessons to the "teenagers" who are clearly in the late 20's! You think your in for a typical teen movie, but...It doesn't matter......because the movie just works! Even the obvious miniatures don't take away from this classic 50's gem. Olin Howlin a great character actor has the honor of being in two on the best 50's Sci-Fi movie ever made....'The Blob' and 'Them' you remember him in 'Them' don't you?? "Make me a sergeant in charge of the booze! Make me a sergeant in charge of the booze!" This edition is very good, but it should of had some more features on it. This is a film that deserves a feature-ette at the very least and many of these actors are still around. I'm giving it 5 stars anyway because it does have a wonderful stills gallery, two commentaries and a beautiful DVD transfer. This is a must have for any Sci-Fi/Horror collector! "Beware The Blob"!

*Possible Spoilers**
George A. Romero uses social commentary in his Dawn of the Dead as zombies are used as metaphors for American consumerism. The Blob is used more literally. Instead of zombies attacking, a ball of space goop falls from the sky and begins to devour people, getting bigger and redder with their blood as it does. You can't kill it only freeze it. You could make a case for this being a teenage rebellion picture along the lines of Rebel Without a Cause (Two-Disc Special Edition) but for me besides being just plain old B horror movie fun it was the consumerism angle I found most interesting and I could see influencing Romero. The Blob's consuming could destroy the whole planet and the people in it and our consuming as we deplete our resources and battle our own blobs (obesity epidemic) could destroy it as well. I found it even more ironic at the ending when they mention were safe as long as the arctic stays cold, guess were not safe. No need to remake this one again for our generation (88 Blob remake is also highly recommended) like The Body Snatcher movies, just pop in this 1958 version the message is scarier now then 1958. Oh No! BEWARE! THE BLOB COULD BE UNLEASHED 2008!!! DUH DUH DUH.

Criterion Features:
In the jacket you get an interesting write up and a good sized poster of the dvd art.

Special Features
Two Audio Commentaries: One by producer Jack H. Harris and film historian Bruce Eder; the other by director Irvin S. Yeaworth, Jr. and actor Robert ("Tony) Fields.
Theatrical Trailer
Blob-abilia!: collector Wes Shank's rare trove of stills, posters, props (including the blob itself!), and other ephemera
Special Collectible Poster (mentioned above)