Arachnophobia (1990) Movie Review

Arachnophobia, a comedy-horror from director Frank Marshall (Alive) manages to consistently scare me, no matter how many times I've watched it (which is many, in a lame effort to desensitize myself), and that's saying a lot considering I am the sort that takes a "kill on sight" approach to most arachnids.


Written by BHM Contributor Tom Heffernan
May 23, 2008

Release: 18 July 1990 (U.S.)
Directed by: Frank Marshall
Written by: Don Jakoby, Al Williams and Wesley Strick

Starring:
Jeff Daniels as Dr. Ross Jennings
Harley Jane Kozak as Molly Jennings
John Goodman as Delbert McClintock
Julian Sands as Doctor James Atherton
Stuart Pankin as Sheriff Lloyd Parsons


Spiders are hardly a new cinematic device. From Tarantula! (1955) to Eight Legged Freaks (2002) and beyond, filmmakers have attempted to make people jump with creepy crawlies. However for me, Arachnophobia is the only one that's really scary. It has a lot to do with the fact that aside from the Big Boss spider (or "The General" as he's called) most of the arachnids in this flick are all… too… REAL.

A particularly nasty new species of spider has hitched a ride from the Amazon to the fictional small town of Canaima, USA. Dr William Atherton's (Julian Sands) expedition photographer sustains an instantly mortal bite from said critter, and then provides the means of transport to the States in his wooden coffin. The opening sequence contains some breathtaking location photography by Mikael Salomon, and a very memorable theme by Trevor Jones.

Jeff Daniels plays Ross Jennings, a San Francisco doctor (with a convenient paralyzing fear of spiders) who moves his family to Canaima to take on the practice of retiring physician Sam Metcalf (Henry Jones). They have moved to escape the hustle and bustle and are looking forward to the small-town life. But, arriving at the same time is our little critter, who wastes no time in setting up shop in the Jennings' barn. He mates with a common house spider, producing LOTS of highly venomous and aggressive offspring, who also waste no time in spreading out from the barn looking for trouble!

After the townsfolk begin dropping like... um, flies, Jennings enlists the aid of Atherton to help rid the town of the infestation and thus save the good ol' US of A, because in Atherton's words, if they don't, "this town is dead. And the next town…and the next…"

Wait, I almost forgot! Jennings also enlists the aid of the local exterminator, Delbert, played by John Goodman, who obviously had a lot of fun with the role. His "industrial strength" bug spray is a hoot (where can I get some??). I still get a goofy grin on my face during the basement (sorry, wine cellar!) scene: Delbert: "Would anyone object if I… tore this floor out?" Molly Jennings (Harley Jane Kozak): "I would!" Delbert: "False alarm then, lead on."

All this culminates in the horrific swarm scene, where the family has to evacuate the house after spiders begin pouring out of every crevice. It reminded me of the cockroach swarm of Creepshow (1982), and gives me chills every time I watch it, making me twist and squirm in my seat like a hyperactive toddler.

Frank Marshall is no stranger to adventure, being the producer on the Indiana Jones films, and Arachnophobia has a distinct adventure-feel to it, while being reminiscent of older "creature features", with the obligatory stereotypical doctor/police/townsfolk characters, but in the case of this film, it all just seems to work. It's fun, scary, and entertaining, making it a great little Friday night popcorn flick. But some folks will want to hit stop before the cheesy song during the end credits gets rolling. It's really quite lame, but I can't help but get caught up in the fun.