Review of Tarantula (1955) by Oscar H — 21 Jan 2009

What is - essentially - a great concept on paper for both a monster and the pseudoscience that creates it turns out to be a pretty dull affair in a (admittedly genre-defining) film by a talented director that doesn't have enough plot to maintain the scant 80 minutes of running time.

Hokey, inconsistent and unconvincing special effects are paired up ludicrous romantic subplots that drag this film right down. In short - the tarantula not only looks terrible, but most of the movie pretty much ignores its existence altogether.

As for the general logic of this movie, there is none whatsoever when the main character, an accomplished flying doctor, somehow manages to totally miss a Godzilla-sized spider roaming the countryside in broad daylight.

Not as good as it should have been, although worth watching to see the finale where the giant spider is taken out by, none other than, Clint Eastwood!