Review of Arachnophobia (1990) by Do You Even Jay C — 13 Feb 2014

*THE OFFICIAL BETTER THAN JUNO SEAL*.

Okay, I have a fanboyish love for this film, so it is in the same vein as Mission Impossible. However, I just love this film too much to give it a 6, which it would earn had I not grown up with this film. Arachnophobia is a tribute to creature features of the 80s, 60s, and 50s. NOTE: I left out the 70s cause none of the best creature features came out then. This Spielberg produced horrorshow! is enough to bring nostalgia to those who loved paying for a ticket to go see Godzilla, Alien, or the Creature from the Black Lagoon, though I wasn't alive when those films came into conception. However, we've all at least heard of those films. It's a great film to watch on a Friday night when you just want to be entertained and some scares. I may as well reveal a secret of mine.....I have a mild form of arachnophobia, so yeah, it does kind of creep me out when the scene where the spider crawls in her shower...

Arachnophobia is about a two spiders, who come together and breed. They create the ultimate deadly, poison-filled arachnid to ever walk the Earth. It's bite is known to kill people in mere minute. Of course like most spiders, one was not born. Millions of this deadly species was created and it. And thank god that this spider is located in Venezuela....Phew! Unfortunately, due to the lack of care, many of the spiders venture onto the cargo ship. And they make their way to a modern SoCal suburb. They venture into the town and cause mayhem. So enter Jeff Daniels' character, Dr. Ross Jeninings. He escaped the big city to avoid the many dangers of it, and settled in the small town. After a recent string of deaths, he's nearly losing his mind at trying to find out what is going on! Oh, and to make things much more interesting...Ross has a severe case of Arachnophobia, hence the title.

First off, let me say that Jeff Daniels is a great actor when he's not trying to do comedy. Of course, the film is semi-comedic, but it also is supposed to have it's moments of drama. Of course Jeff isn't really trying to be funny, which could lead to many people thinking he's rather one-note in the role. However, he gets the job done here and it's good. It's also really hard to watch a comedy about spiders when there are so many crawly scenes, namely the shower and popcorn scenes, which made me become tense when I was about to take the shower the next day. The film is simply thrilling, though. The characters, or at least Jeff Daniels', were likable enough for me to care for what happens to them. It's chilling at times when you realize that this could very well happen to you. I mean, think of all the deadly spiders they have found, and then think of the ones that haven't been found.

I wouldn't recommend this film to those who have real arachnophobia. I'm not talking about those people who say they have it, but is unfazed by the site of it. I'm talking those people who have real panic attacks at the very time they see one. This film is pretty humorous at times. But when they get to the spider attacks, it can be a little too much for the arachnophobic people to take. For those brave enough or at least have no fear of those eight legged freaks, I can see you getting by this film quite easily and enjoying your time. However, I've warn you arachnophobes. This is not for you.The overall acting in this film is great. Jeff Daniels of course can do no wrong, except Dumb and Dumber and the apparent sequel. He's quite charming as the arachnophobic doc, who wants to know more about the recent slew of deaths. John Goodman comes in a small, but important, role as the exterminator to take out the spiders. Let me say, that he's pretty much the show stealer. His character is funny and likable all around. Of course, the rest of the cast is charming in their own way.