The Blob Blu-ray Review

Twilight Time's Blu-ray presentation of "The Blob" (1988) impresses with an AVC encoded 1080p transfer in a 1.85:1 aspect ratio, offering a mixture of brilliant moments and occasional softness. The source material, culled from the Tri-Star catalog, exhibits appealing detail that can appear somewhat soft, particularly in darker sequences. Despite this, the presentation benefits from a well-saturated color palette, with the Blob's fluorescent pink-orange hue standing out memorably. Grain is evident throughout, becoming more pronounced in optical effects shots, yet it contributes to the cinematic feel of the picture.

The encode maintains a balance between contrast and brightness, resulting in clean whites and rich, deep blacks that support a consistently well-balanced image. Details are generally visible even in the darkest sections of the frame, with healthy skin tones and fine details in close-ups providing depth to the visuals. The presentation's increased resolution highlights certain effects work by revealing matte lines, while artifacts are minimal and the overall condition of the elements remains superior, free from significant damage. This release ensures that both fans of the film and purists will find plenty to appreciate in its updated look.

Overall, "The Blob" on Blu-ray manages to capture the film's vivid atmosphere, blending periods of high detail with moments of softness seamlessly while maintaining an engaging and technically accomplished visual experience.

The audio presentation of "The Blob" on Blu-ray is presented with a lossless DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 mix that provides an immersive and entertaining experience. Sound effects, especially those involving The Blob's oozing presence and the demise of various characters, are vivid, creating an engaging auditory landscape. Noteworthy scenes include the intense diner sequence and the later attempt by the Reverend to reason with the Blob. The mix is intentionally busy but maintains superb spatial separation and directionality, ensuring that dialogue remains clear and prominent amid the chaos. Fidelity is top-notch, and the dynamic range is impressively wide, with no issues such as damage or dropouts detected.

This Blu-ray edition features a remastered soundtrack based on the original stereo elements. Engineers skillfully enhance the soundfield by repurposing background noises to the rear channels, adding depth while keeping the focus front-heavy. The result is an expansive soundstage with seamless panning across three channels, maintaining crystal clarity. Michael Hoenig’s original score benefits immensely from the extensive mid-range, boasting outstanding precision and warmth. The orchestration maintains clean separation, while a robust low-end provides significant depth. Amidst the energetic action and captivating music, vocals are consistently distinct and intelligible throughout.

The Blu Ray of "The Blob" offers an extensive array of extras that enhance the viewing experience with their depth and variety. A highlight is the audio commentary featuring director Chuck Russell and horror authority Ryan Turek, which provides an insightful, conversational look into the film's production and thematic elements. The "Friday Night Flights at the Cinefamily" Q&A session with Russell is both engaging and informative, despite its initial rough visual quality. Additionally, the disc includes the original trailers and an isolated score track presented in high-quality DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1. These extras collectively enrich the Blu Ray package, making it a must-have for fans and collectors.

Extras included in this disc:

• Audio Commentary: Director Chuck Russell and Ryan Turek discuss production and thematic aspects.
• Friday Night Flights at the Cinefamily: Q&A session with Chuck Russell.
• Isolated Score Track: Presented in DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1.
• Green Trailer:
• Red Trailer:

The 1988 reboot of 'The Blob,' directed by Chuck Russell, reimagines the 1958 classic with a modern edge, drawing on both Cold War paranoia and more timeless fears of the unknown. The original film's allegorical approach to incipient Communism is subtly shifted by Russell and co-writer Frank Darabont to a broader critique that includes a late Reagan Era distrust of governmental powers. This thematic pivot does not dilute the horror; instead, it adds layers of complexity. The story unfolds as a mysterious meteor crashes in a small town, releasing a deadly, amorphous creature that preys on the unsuspecting townsfolk. The film is marked by its gruesome yet dazzling special effects, including some truly grotesque death scenes.

Russell and Darabont's screenplay smartly toys with audience expectations, setting up several shocking surprises while reworking characters and dynamics from the original film. Central to this is the unexpected pairing of football jock Paul Taylor (Donovan Leitch) and cheerleader Meg Penny (Shawnee Smith), whose budding romance faces immediate peril. Local bad boy Brian Flagg (Kevin Dillon) transitions from a stereotypical delinquent to a reluctant hero, joining Meg in their desperate efforts to combat The Blob and uncovering a sinister conspiracy along the way. The supporting cast, including the well-meaning but bumbling Sheriff Geller (Jeffrey DeMunn) and diner owner Fran Hewitt (Candy Clark), adds depth and texture to the small-town setting.

Visually, the film excels with its practical effects, particularly The Blob’s flesh-dissolving attacks that elevate the horror to a visceral experience. This Blu-ray release by Twilight Time maintains the film’s impact through high-quality transfer and immersive audio. Audiences will find both nostalgia and novel thrills in this under-appreciated remake, which combines dark humor, social commentary, and inventive horror into an engaging package that stands the test of time.

"The Blob (1988)" finds the stereotypical small-town USA in dire peril as an alien menace surreptitiously grows, unseen, until it has the town fully engulfed. The remake by Frank Darabont and Chuck Russell manages to craft an entertaining narrative that balances suspense, horror, and quirky charm, despite being sadly underappreciated. The Blu-ray release presents a noteworthy improvement in picture quality, boasting crisp and vibrant visuals that effectively bring the gooey menace to life. The audio presentation has also seen an enhancement, delivering clear and immersive soundscapes that compound the overall experience.

Though the Blu-ray is somewhat lacking in bonus features, the technical quality more than compensates for this shortcoming. The transfer retains much of the film's intrinsic atmosphere and succeeds in enhancing both visual and auditory elements. Enthusiasts of cult classics will find it a worthy addition to their collections. The performances by the younger cast are commendable, offering enough depth and conviction to complement the film's special effects-driven narrative.

As is recounted in the commentary included on this Blu-ray, the eighties saw several rather imaginative reboots of older horror films, including The Fly and The Thing. The Blob may not have the innate (lo-fi) charm of the 1958 original, but it's a relatively smart reimagining of the premise, filled with some fun special effects and decent performances by its younger cast members. This Blu-ray boasts generally very solid technical merits and comes recommended.