Tarantula

Tarantula (1955)

I’d class this more horror than sci-fi, but as it came in my sci-fi boxset i’m counting it and reviewing it. Plus, I love a good sci-fi horror, especially when it’s a monster movie. And… it means I could probably review a bunch of the Godzilla movies one day.

This movie is all about the effects for me. The giant animals in the cages at the beginning are amazing, but when you see the enormous tarantula stalking the small atomic town… it’s perfection. The tarantula knocking over the rocks when the couple stop for a break, flipping the truck, those poor cows, and then fighting with the fucking army… this is what B-Movies are all about. This is cinema to me.

The ginormous spider came to be because of quite a noble cause as well, which I like. Prof. Deemer was trying his damnest to create an alternative food source (which thankfully wasn’t the tarantula because eww) but an accident in his lab after being attacked by his deformed fellow colleague sets the giant arachnid free. From there it kept growing.

Once again, like most of these incredible movies from the 50s the hero of the story is a doctor, which again, I always like. Together with Deemers new lab partner Stephanie, they have to work out what the hell is going on, and then warn the town. Luckily, no-one thinks they’re crazy because the dinosaur sized Tarantula isn’t exactly keeping a low profile so we don’t get twenty minutes of doubt. Sure, the town isn’t certain what’s leaving giant puddles of venom every-way, but once it’s suggested it could be a big ass spider, no-one is getting stuffed into a straight jacket because the fucking thing is stalking everyone!!

The spectacular shot of the spider looking through the window and then destroying the house is standout for me, but I loved it chasing and killing the two old-timers as well. And it looming over the hill with the cattle below. Putting a giant spider in any scene makes the scene better, it’s why I consider Eight Legged Freaks a classic.

Tarantula is schlocky fun at its best. There’s enough weird scientist to keep the film ticking over, and the budding relationship between the two main protagonists is sweet. But, the giant spider is the MVP. Every single scene it’s involved in is why you’re watching this movie. Look up any screenshot and you’ll want to see the film. It meanders at times, but then a giant spider will eat someone and all is right with the world again… until the military try and ruin everything.