I should get the obvious stuff out of the way first. I consider both remakes to be superior to the originals for various reasons, though the originals are still good in their own right (a common theme of the 80s, what with The Fly, Cat People, and The Thing). In the 80s, the special effects got better, which goes a long way towards making a more effective horror flick where you have to actually see the monster(s). Plus, the violence got more excessive. I mean, if you’re going to do a remake where you’re going to try something different than what the original had to offer, that’s as good of an excuse as any. As for the acting department, well… that’s not so clear cut, especially with Invaders from Mars. I’ll get to that in a minute.

When it comes to the Blob, a lot of people like to point out how the remake shows people actually getting dissolved, while in the original it was implied more than anything else (though it does change from a clear color to a red one). There’s another aspect that’s worth pointing out, which really highlights how the times have changed beyond film techniques and special effects. In the original 50’s version, it’s an all-white town where most of the people know each other. Especially when it comes to the police force, who know just about everyone, and are willing to let certain things slide because they personally know that person (and thus know how much trouble they are capable of causing on a regular basis, or just know they’re not a troublemaker in general). Even when there’s a dislike towards some of the trouble-making youth, it’s not that vile hatred some tend to have when looking at homeless bums, or those who look and act so differently from everyone else that they are disgusted at someone not belonging in a civilized society. The doctor of the town is willing to care for patients without asking about insurance (assuming that was even required back then) or asking about their financial well-being. You could go to the cinema to pick up chicks while watching a horror film. There’s an actual sense of community around the entire town. Something demonstrated during the finale when the entire town pitches in to help freeze the blob (even having a teacher act a bit rebellious like the youth and smash in the glass leading to the school, to the joy of the students).

Contrast this with the 80s version, where that sense of community has dwindled a decent amount since the 50s. Less private practitioners of medicine, so the hospitals now demand insurance and such. There’s more tension between cops and rebellious youth (among others I’m sure). There’s more individuals who act, or look, less respectable compared to the worst that could be found in the 50s environment. The community doesn’t band together to fight the monster so much as are forced into the same location and are trying their best to survive; and the monster is beaten more by individual efforts rather than large-scale teamwork.

It’s like we’re seeing the gradual decline of society over the decades (or should I say, the gradual dissolving of it). That in spite of some technological improvements, and alleged cultural advancements, things have been getting worse. That this aspect of feeling of “belonging” in a community is being eroded away, and is something that should be missed, if you ever had it to begin with in your lifetime. Because without it, this capability of coming together to help each other against a common foe just doesn’t happen because we are divided at the social level. Because we are taught that liberalism (the right for individuality) should override all else.

On the other hand…

If we did live in a community where we trust each other too much, and were too comfortable with each other, then things would be fucked if aliens came down and started mind-controlling people who would lead others into being puppets just like them. If it was something more akin to the 50s, and someone said, “There’s something you should see in the sand dune over the hill,” you would be all, “Alright, let’s check it out.” As opposed to the 80s where you’re more like to respond, “Fuck off, you’re weirding me out man.” Because like it or not, being content and complacent, even in the best of communities, has its downsides. Sometimes one should have a small element of distrust. After all, one has to wonder how it is such cohesive communities eventually find themselves splintered.

So we’re left with a conundrum. Should we allow for some element of distrust and social separation to act as a preventative measure for being so easily overtaken by infiltrators (bit of a metaphor for communism I would think), while risking being overrun by a big seemingly unstoppable force? Or should we risk that, and allow for such cohesive community that can band together against a common foe, while being susceptible to alien infiltrators? I suppose one could strive for the middle option and try doing the best of both worlds.

All that philosophical stuff aside, the Invaders from Mars remake is underrated. A lot of critics point at how hokey it is, especially in the acting department, let alone some of the dialogue and interactions. To that I say it completely flew over their heads. This is a dream/nightmare that the main protagonist conjured up with his wild imagination. This is why he proposes such things regarding how the alien spaceship is able to avoid radar detection, or certain images from Mars he has seen, among other details. I mean, you think it’s a coincidence that the most over-the-top and hated character is a teacher he likely loathes in reality? This is how the kid perceives things, how he believes (or subconsciously wishes) these events would happen. It’s the sort of thing kids who grew up in the 80s would see things. This was a decade when we got He-Man, Thundercats, GI-Joe, Voltron, and Transformers. Cheesy dialogue was always going to be inevitable. Some of the events that play out, or the way they play out, are a bit on the implausible and silly side because we are experiencing the dream of an 80s pre-teen adolescent. While he does have an admiration for the military who can be relied on to come in and kick ass and save the day, he also has a fear of law enforcement.

Though contrast this with the 50s version where it’s a bit less hokey (aside from the alien costumes), and a bit more plausible when it comes to the events and interactions (only a bit). Well… I guess we mature differently depending on the decade. In the 50s, there was more trust for the police, the military, and the government. Well, the 80s certainly shows a contrast against that with these two films. The pros and cons of a cohesive community.

PS: And I’m aware of how goofy that kid looks when he’s running. It would be the greatest thing ever if he was running while being chased by Steven Seagal.