_**The return of the hungry red glob from outer space!**_ A technician unknowingly brings a specimen of the Blob home in a frozen container, a decision his wife regrettably follows through with by letting it thaw. Soon after, hippies, police officers, rural residents and bowlers find themselves under attack. Robert Walker Jr. and Gwynne Gilford are featured as the central characters, while Richard Webb appears as the dependable Sheriff. Several recognizable faces, including Randy Stonehill, Carol Lynley, Dick Van Patten, and Burgess Meredith, make brief appearances. “Beware! The Blob” (1972), also known as “Son of Blob” or “The Blob II,” was released fourteen years after the initial film starring Steve McQueen and produced during a period when Larry Hagman had some free time between his roles in "I Dream of Jeannie" and "Dallas." It possesses an unscripted, almost improvisational feel, incorporating humorous moments alongside the serious horror elements. While these lighter parts don't consistently succeed—the sequence set in a barbershop is one example—they contribute to the film’s unusual nature. It’s worthwhile to compare both films and consider how societal shifts resulting from the 1960s influenced them. The first movie offered insight into small-town America of 1957, when it was filmed; this sequel provides an amusing look at the counterculture of 1971 (the year of its production) and the interaction between young people embracing alternative lifestyles and older generations with more traditional values. I don’t find this aspect to be as significant as some claim, because a generational divide seems to exist in every decade, something that can even be noticed when watching the original film. A well-made remake of the first movie appeared in 1988, similarly balancing genuine horror with lighter moments. It had a larger budget than this one (and likely the original too), but introducing a subplot detailing the creature's origins as being from Earth diminishes its alien and unsettling atmosphere. Nevertheless, it remains a worthwhile reinterpretation. While many regard this film as poorly made, I find it entertaining in an oddball fashion; after all, entertainment is the primary goal. The movie has a running time of 1 hour, 27 minutes, and was filmed across various locations in the Los Angeles area, including Culver City, Glendale, Diamond Bar, Pomona, and Venice. GRADE: B-

Source on TMDB