FILM OF THE WEEK: Arachnophobia (1990)
- C.C
- Feb 25, 2016
- 1 min read
Directed by Frank Marshall.
This one instantly intrigued me. Directed by Frank Marshall, who, along with his wife Kathleen Kennedy formed ‘Amblin Entertainment’ with Steven Spielberg. Already a prolific producer, this classic monster flick was to be Marshall’s debut into directing.
As described (in aptly shaped text) by Good Morning America as ‘A Rollercoaster Ride of a Movie!’, this pre-curser to eight-legged-freaks and Congo, doesn’t pack what you’d consider to be 'traditional’ scares.
'Arachnophobia’, as you might guess, is pretty heavily involved in the dealing of spiders. Specifically, a group of killer Venezuelan spiders, who hitch their way to a small-time American county.
You can assume the rest.
Despite the many 'cliched’ conventions that are explored in Arachnophobia (big-city man who doesn’t heed warning, pets with a sixth sense, the kooky specialist ect.), it’s self-aware nature and well-balanced performances give it a really endearing quality. The character of Dr. Ross Jennings feels straight out of a Spielberg film; his fears used as a point of humor, a certain edginess and cynicism against small-town regulations. Imagine Brody, but substitute the Sharks for some equally pissed off spiders. I won’t say much about John Goodman’s character, because nothing I can say would do him justice. It’s a bizarre watch, and there are certainly some squirm-inducing moments, but there’s nothing too scary here to shy away from. I’m actually surprised that Arachnophobia isn’t more prolific. It has some great ingredients.
Next up, CONGO.
Best Line: “Shut up, Lloyd”
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