The Blob (1988) - Worth a Second Look? (Honest Thoughts)

Alright folks, had a re-watch of 'The Blob' (1988) last night and I'm… conflicted. I remember being properly freaked out by it as a kid. The practical effects, especially the sheer volume of the Blob itself, were genuinely impressive for the time. Still are, honestly. That scene in the diner? Iconic. But watching it now, I can't help but feel like it's trying a bit too hard to be shocking. I'm curious about what others think of the tonal shift in this remake. The original 'Blob' was a fairly straightforward monster movie, almost quaint by today's standards. This version really ramps up the gore and body horror, leaning into the '80s excess. Is it effective? Sometimes, yes. That poor guy who gets sucked through the telephone is terrifying. But does it ultimately distract from the underlying sense of dread and helplessness that made the original so compelling? I'm not entirely convinced. Also, anyone else find the portrayal of the government/military figures a little heavy-handed? I get that it's a product of its time, but the whole 'cover-up at all costs' thing feels a bit… cartoonish compared to the actual Blob itself, which is pretty darn believable. And Shawnee Smith's character, Meg, definitely has some moments where her choices seem to defy logic. Maybe that was the point? So, yeah. 'The Blob' (1988). Visually impressive, no doubt. But does the increased gore and over-the-top villainy actually improve on the original's more subtle horror, or does it just feel like an '80s update for the sake of it? What did you think? Let's discuss!