The Blob Blu-ray Review

Presented in an aspect ratio of 1.66:1 and encoded with MPEG-4 AVC, Irvin S. Yeaworth Jr.'s The Blob undergoes a stunning digital makeover in this Blu-ray release by Criterion. The original 35mm camera negative was primarily utilized in a 4K resolution scan via a Scanity film scanner, with a 35mm interpositive filling in where the negative's condition was poor. The transfer process impressively removed dirt, debris, scratches, splices, warps, jitter, and flicker through MTI's DRS and Pixel Farm's PFClean, while Image Systems’ Phoenix focused on small dirt, grain, and noise reduction. The result is a visually striking film that looks nothing short of spectacular.

The restored image quality is truly commendable, boasting vibrant and lush colors which are particularly impressive given the low-budget origins of the film. Remarkably rich color palettes make the film come to life, with reds standing out vividly to enhance the impact of the gelatinous antagonist. Softer hues also hold their own, providing bold and full-bodied visuals with healthy skin tones. The contrast levels are comfortably bright, delivering clean whites and impressive visibility even in the darkest scenes. Blacks are deep and true, which is especially noticeable during medium close-up shots framed against black backgrounds. Throughout, a consistent thin layer of natural grain maintains an authentic cinematic feel.

By retaining impressive definition and resolution, details such as individual hairs on Steve McQueen's head and the threading in costumes are sharply rendered. Close-up shots are especially revealing, accentuating facial pores and minor blemishes with exceptional clarity. While a few scenes appear soft due to limitations originating from the source material, these instances are minor and forgivable. Overall, this high-def presentation effectively revitalizes a drive-in horror classic, ensuring that fans will find the Blu-ray release both a nostalgic and visually enriched experience.

The Blu-ray release of "The Blob" features an English LPCM 1.0 audio track, with optional English SDH subtitles for the main feature. The remastering team at Criterion has done an exceptional job, presenting a soundtrack that is both crisp and clear. The mono track is characterized by excellent fidelity, offering a surprisingly nuanced dynamic range that enhances the overall listening experience. Burt Bacharach's legendary song is a standout, benefiting greatly from this audio clarity. Dialogue throughout the film is consistently stable, clear, and easy to follow, free from any discernible hiss, clicks, or thumps.

Despite its monaural limitations, the uncompressed PCM soundtrack delivers a solid performance that retains the charm of its original 35mm magnetic source. Some light hissing and humming are noticeable at times, especially in earlier scenes, but they do not detract from the overall enjoyment and can even contribute to the film's nostalgic appeal. The soundfield demonstrates considerable warmth and spaciousness, particularly during musical scores and action sequences. Ralph Carmichael's musical cues enhance the mid-range and high frequencies with splendid clarity. Additionally, the bass response is appropriate for the film’s timeframe, never feeling artificial but always responsive to the on-screen events. Overall, dialogue and character interactions remain clear and centered, making this lossless mix both entertaining and immersive.

The Blu-ray extras of "The Blob" are impressively comprehensive, catering effectively to both cinephiles and memorabilia enthusiasts. The inclusion of two insightful audio commentaries recorded by Criterion in 2000 provides a deep dive into the film’s production challenges, creative decisions, and Steve McQueen’s involvement. Producer Jack H. Harris and film historian Bruce Eder deliver extensive recollections, while director Irvin S. Yeaworth Jr. and actor Robert Fields offer perspectives on budget constraints and behind-the-scenes dynamics. The "Blobabilia!" feature presents an extensive gallery of stills, posters, and rare behind-the-scenes photographs collected by Wes Swank, enriching the visuals with detailed text descriptions. Supplementing these is the original theatrical trailer for added historical context, and a thoughtful essay by critic Kim Newman further encapsulating the film's impact.

Extras included in this disc:

• Audio Commentary (Jack H. Harris & Bruce Eder): Production history, on-set challenges, and McQueen's role.
• Audio Commentary (Irvin S. Yeaworth Jr. & Robert Fields): Production insights, budget dilemmas, and creative choices.
• Blobabilia!: Collector's gallery of memorabilia, posters, and behind-the-scenes photographs.
• Trailer: Original theatrical trailer.
• Leaflet: Essay by critic Kim Newman.

Released in 1958, Irvin S. Yeaworth Jr.'s "The Blob" stands as a landmark in cult cinema, offering a distinctive blend of science fiction and horror that has endured over the decades. The film features a gelatinous, crimson alien menace that crashes via a meteor into a small American town, creating chaos. Steve McQueen, in one of his earliest prominent roles, leads as Steve Andrews, a teenager whose warnings about the blob are dismissed by the authority figures around him. This sets up a larger commentary on youth and authority, subtly interwoven with an allegory on the political paranoia of the era.

The movie's atmosphere effectively captures the campy charm of 1950s genre films. From Burt Bacharach's catchy and ironic theme song to the beautiful Technicolor visuals, the film effectively melds aesthetic appeal with an engaging narrative. Despite the modest budget, special effects by Bart Sloane, along with the cinematography of Thomas E. Spalding and art direction by William Jersey and Karl Karlson, create memorable sequences, particularly at the Colonial Theater. While some characters and performances are somewhat exaggerated or miscast—McQueen and Corsaut notably appear too old to convincingly play teenagers—the overall charm and self-aware humor make these minor flaws easy to overlook.

Technically, "The Blob" reveals its low-budget origins but impresses with inventive use of available resources, resulting in surprisingly effective practical effects that add to its allure. The film's playful subversion of genre tropes, especially in its depiction of teenagers transitioning from rebellious delinquents to community heroes, reflects both societal anxieties and aspirations of its time. All these layers contribute to "The Blob" being more than just a sci-fi horror flick—it’s a clever, culturally resonant piece that remains delightfully entertaining even several decades after its initial release.

The Blob is a classic B-horror film that showcases one of the most imaginative monster villains ever put to screen. Starring a young Steve McQueen, it is a drive-in staple that blends campy, comical wit with visual ingenuity to overcome its budgetary constraints. The film creates an undeniable atmosphere that has captivated audiences across generations. Criterion’s Blu-ray release of 'The Blob' rejuvenates this cult classic with a stunning digital restoration, enhancing both the visual and auditory experience for contemporary viewers.

The Criterion edition ensures that every colorful frame of this low-budget Technicolor marvel is meticulously preserved, bringing out details that were previously obscured in older releases. The video quality is exceptional, with vibrant colors and sharp contrasts. Similarly, the audio presentation is top-notch, capturing every eerie note of the film's score and the organic sound effects that contribute to its unique atmosphere. However, it's worth mentioning that the supplementary features are rather lackluster, failing to provide the in-depth extras that some collectors might expect.

The Blob is one of those perfect to see very late at night drive-in shlockers that people of all generations will still want to see years from now. It isn't a flawless film but it has a tremendous atmosphere, in my opinion one that is impossible not to admire. Criterion's new digital restoration has also given The Blob a new life. This has to be one of the very best looking low-budget Technicolor films. RECOMMENDED.

Featuring one of the most imaginative monster villains ever conceived, 'The Blob' is a cult drive-in B-horror classic that overcomes its limitations with campy, comical wit and visual ingenuity. Starring Steve McQueen in one of his most memorable performances, the film remains a terrific delight to watch. From the Criterion Collection, the Blu-ray lands with an excellent audio and video presentation which fans will surely love. Supplements are a bit disappointing, but the overall package makes a great addition to any cult horror collection nonetheless. Recommended.