johnlink ranks THE BLOB (1958)
With a lot of discussion regarding people’s expectations for PARANORMAL ACTIVITY and the theory that it was hyped so much that it could not possibly satisfy audiences, I am happy to report that I had zero expectations going into THE BLOB. In fact, the only reason I gave it a shot at all is because it stars a little known Steve McQueen just two years prior his role in THE MAGNIFICENT SEVEN.
I watched THE BLOB (1958) on 10.22.09. It was my first viewing of the film.
NOTE: THIS RANKING UTILIZES THIS SITE’S ORIGINAL SYSTEMIC ARTICLE WRITING METHOD. THE METHOD BY WHICH THE RANKINGS WERE ARRIVED AT, HOWEVER, REMAIN THE SAME.
FILM
This is a B-movie, make no mistake about it. This is absolutely a Sci-Fi/Horror flick of the 50s, though it contains significantly less of the Communist scare stuff. Still, there is a clear sense of Us versus Them, and it is through a community of Us that the alien, foreign substance is defeated. Technically speaking, this is not a landmark film by any means, though the blob is as well realized as it could be for a low-budget B movie. Plus, this film has a GREAT theme song by a then unknown Burt Bacharach. SCORE: 5
MOVIE
Great opening, great first few scenes. Some lulls in the middle, a nice build up in the market scene, then a ho-hum ending. The joy of this movie is watching McQueen do his thing. The blob is actually slightly scarier than I thought it might be. Not scary by modern horror means whatsoever, but at least I nodded a few times and thought ‘that was cool.’ SCORE: 6
ACTING
McQueen is fun. Earl Rowe, who did very little else in his career, as Lt. Dave is solid as well. The teenagers add some character, and the parents are your typical stiffs. Really nothing great here, though not much is expected. SCORE: 4
WRITING
I really enjoyed the teenage banter, and found myself laughing quite a bit. The ending was a bit too easy, but as good as budgetary constraints could allow. I wish that there was more blob in the middle act, but I was entertained throughout by the dialogue. SCORE: 5
FINAL TALLY
FILM: 5; MOVIE: 6; ACTING: 4; WRITING: 5
5+6+4+5+0=20
FINAL SCORE: 5
And for being made the year before THE MUMMY, and on a much lower budget… I almost feel like I gave THE MUMMY better scores than it deserved!
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