Beware! The Blob

The AVC-encoded image of "Beware! The Blob" in a 1.85:1 aspect ratio constitutes its high-definition unveiling, likely marking the peak of its visual fidelity in the home video arena. Despite the inherent limitations of the original cinematography that impact sharpness, the presentation allows viewers to scrutinize details, from the textures in period costumes and facial expressions to the minutiae of blob-related effects, showcasing the filmmakers' attentiveness to detail. Colors are well-rendered, with solid primary hues and lifelike skin tones. The iconic blob red is vivid, enhancing the visual experience without overstepping into exaggeration. The film’s grain is faithfully preserved, lending authenticity and depth to the imagery, keeping in line with its '70s exploitation film aesthetics. While some softness is discernible, it aligns with the source material’s characteristics rather than representing a flaw in the transfer.

In terms of print quality, the sourced material shows an unexpected vitality, mainly free from significant wear, albeit minor issues like speckling and occasional scratching are present but do not detract from the overall viewing experience. This clarity allows for an appreciation of finer details, like the horrifying '70s shag carpeting and various elements of production design, all of which contribute to a more immersive viewing experience. The balance between preserving film grain and delivering a crisp image highlights both the film's age and its charm, providing viewers with a window into the era of its creation.

As this restoration breathes new life into "Beware! The Blob," it does so with respect for its original essence, striking a commendable balance between cleaning up artifacts and maintaining the film's intended look and feel. The brightness, contrast levels, and color reproduction ensure that both the blob and its human co-stars are rendered with clarity and vibrancy. Despite the occasional softness inherent to the source material, this 1080p transfer ensures that every terrible carpet fiber and retro costume detail is rendered with as much precision as possible, making it a definitive visual experience for fans and newcomers alike.

The 2.0 DTS-HD Master Audio sound mix of "Beware! The Blob" on Blu Ray presents an unfortunate auditory experience that detracts from its visual counterpart significantly. Dialogue is notably compromised, often sounding as if the actors are speaking through obstructions, leading to a marked lack of intelligibility. This issue is exacerbated during moments of heightened tension where the mix seems to falter further, making it difficult for viewers to follow the film without constant adjustment of the volume. Additionally, there’s a persistent hiss and pop that pervades, introducing unwanted noise that competes with the dialogue for the listener's attention.

Though the sound mix decidedly shows its age with these audio artifacts, it's not entirely without merit. Some sound effects manage to pierce through the muddle with a surprising clarity; gunshots and the screams during Blob attacks are delivered with a notable depth and realism. Sadly, these moments of clarity only highlight the overall underwhelming performance of the audio track. The scoring of the film suffers considerably as well, lacking in dynamism and richness, which could have added much-needed aural depth to the presentation. The instrumentation feels muted and fails to make an impact, thus missing an opportunity to enhance the atmospheric tension of the movie.

From a technical standpoint, it appears that much of the audio issues might be inherent to the original mix, potentially limiting the extent to which remastering could have ameliorated these problems. The end result is an audio experience that requires patience and, likely, frequent adjustments from the viewer to navigate the auditory shortcomings. Despite some isolated strengths in sound effects, the overall impression is one of missed potential, where neither dialogue nor scoring manages to consistently meet expectations, leaving the audio aspect of "Beware! The Blob" Blu Ray lacking in both clarity and immersion.

The Blu-ray release of "Beware! The Blob" boasts a satisfying array of extras, catering well to fans and film historians alike. Central to the supplementary materials is the audio commentary by film historian Richard Harland Smith, who delivers a treasure trove of details about the film's production in a solo effort. Adding to the allure, the Alternate Title Sequence revealed as "Son of Blob" presents a quirky insight into the film's potential identities, resonating with kitsch appeal. Rounding out the collection, an assortment of trailers including the film's own and a selection from other contemporary horrors adds a delightful dip into cinema history, offering a glimpse into the era's genre marketing strategies. The technical fidelity varies across these extras, balancing between high definition and standard definition, ultimately crafting an engaging blend of content for aficionados.

Extras included in this disc:

• Commentary: Features film historian Richard Harland Smith.
• Alternate Title Sequence: Uses the name Son of Blob.
• Theatrical Trailer: Original trailer for "Beware! The Blob".
• 'Deranged' Trailer
• 'Whoever Slew Auntie Roo?' Trailer
• 'The Incredible 2-Headed Transplant' Trailer

1972's "Beware! The Blob," directed by Larry Hagman, attempts a lighter, goofier approach to the horror genre but ends up meandering through its runtime with a mix of aimless improvisation and minimal frights. The film opens with an inexplicably charming montage of kittens, quickly setting a tone that struggles to blend with its titular menace. Hagman's directorial foray delivers a slack continuation of the 1958 original, lacking in both humor and suspense. The narrative follows Chester and his wife, who accidentally unleash the Blob after bringing home a strange, gelatinous Arctic find. As it consumes everything in its path, the film sluggishly explores its premise, intermittently showcasing the Blob’s lurking threat.

Despite its budgetary constraints, "Beware! The Blob" occasionally impresses with its special effects, primarily using reversal footage techniques to depict the Blob's movements. These moments, albeit brief, stand out in a film otherwise filled with random, comedic bits that rarely land. Hagman's disdain for hippie culture and the era's youth manifests through odd narrative choices and extended scenes that contribute little to the storyline or its satirical aspirations. Most of the film's attempts at humor and horror fall flat, leaving a disjointed experience that oscillates between trying too hard and not trying enough.

The improvisational approach Hagman relies on leads to tedious dialogue and underdeveloped scenes, significantly detracting from the potential impact of the Blob’s menace. The cast appears lost at times, awaiting direction that never materializes, resulting in a film that feels unfinished and unpolished. Despite its ambitions to pay homage to its predecessor and inject humor into horror, "Beware! The Blob" ultimately serves as a curious yet faltering experiment in tonal inconsistency and narrative pacing.

Beware! The Blob," the sequel that many didn't know they needed or particularly wanted, arrives on Blu-ray with a presentation as mixed as its legacy. This film harbors an uncomfortable blend of awkward humor and horror elements that often don't mesh well, leading to a viewing experience that can feel laborious until its climax. The attempt to interweave casual racism and dated cultural references (such as the inclusion of Clackers) distracts rather than adds to the narrative, contributing to a disjointed feel throughout. Director Larry Hagman's distinct vision only sharpens in the final act when the townspeople confront the Blob, offering a glimpse into what could have been if the film maintained such focus and energy from the outset.

Kino Lorber's Blu-ray release does its best to polish this peculiar cinematic piece, offering a high-quality video transfer that genuinely enhances the viewing experience, particularly during the more visually compelling climax. Unfortunately, the audio mix doesn't meet the same standard, presenting issues that can detract from enjoyment. On the supplementary side, the inclusion of an audio commentary provides insightful context, and the collection of trailers for other horror films may pique the interest of genre enthusiasts. However, these features may not be enough to sway viewers looking for a robust package.

In conclusion, while "Beware! The Blob" presents an intriguing if not entirely successful attempt at blending horror and comedy, this Blu-ray release is somewhat reflective of the film itself: a mixed bag. The impressive video quality and insightful commentary are notable positives, but an inconsistent audio mix and a movie that struggles to find its tone until the concluding act make it hard to recommend for purchase outright. For fans nostalgic for 1970s horror or completists of the genre, giving this title a rent could be worth your time, but temper expectations and prepare for a slow start before reaching the more engaging end.