The Amazing Colossal Man

An Army colonel gets too close to an exploding plutonium bomb and like all creatures in the 1950s movies he begins to grow at an amazing rate to colossal proportions. This is much to the dismay of his girlfriend because, well, size does matter. But when your man is 50 feet tall it's ridiculous. But she still loves him even though he's way up there and she's way down here. He goes a little funny in the head and roams the countryside wearing a giant diaper because even the tall men's section has nothing in his size.

Amazing Colossal Man is ridiculous Bert I. Gordon nonsense with cheesy special effects concocted in a garage. Followed by War of the Colossal Beast which is equally stupid. The only way to have fun watching this is with the help of an illegal substance.

Burt I. Gordon's "The Amazing Colossal Man" was the first sci-fi film I saw as a kid that actually scared me. But it wasn't the effect of a bald Col. Glenn Manning running around Las Vegas that I found frightening; it was the actual atomic bomb test-blast footage I found so horrific. At the age of six, seeing houses blown like matchsticks into blazing debris was enough to cause nightmares. The same footage (recently restored by Peter Kuran for the "explosive" documentary "Trinity and Beyond: The Atomic Bomb Movie") can still sends shivers down the spine of any self-respecting anti-nuker.

"The Amazing Colossal Man" still ranks as one of the better b-grade drive-in movies. It is unintentionally funny, full of impossible science and very entertaining. The cast does their best with the material (from a script by George Worthing Yates) but I suspect no one took the project very seriously, least of all Mr. Gordon. It is also highlighted by another thunderous Albert Glasser score.

This isn't exactly the Royal Shakespeare Company here and with a title like THE AMAZING COLOSSAL MAN, you know you're not about to watch something that's due for a re-make on Masterpiece Theater. So, as long as you realize it is first and foremost a schlocky sci-fi horror film from the 50s and have your expectations set relatively low, you'll probably have a good time watching it. On a campy and kitschy level, it's good stuff. I particularly like how his clothes seem to grow with him (thus allowing it to STILL be a family flick) and the scene near the end of the film when they give this crazed giant an injection--his reaction is priceless!! All-in-all, I'd recommend this as a good film to watch with friends. Watch it, laugh and enjoy.

Bert I. Gordon directed this surprise hit about Lt. Col. Glenn Manning, who is accidentally exposed to a plutonium blast at a desert Army base, burning him extensively, but survives. However, he mysteriously starts to grow, reaching 50Ft. He becomes an object of study, but is gradually losing his mind because of both the situation and decreased blood supply to his brain. Glenn, enraged and despondent, escapes and goes on a rampage, forcing a showdown with the Army he once served in. Despite a good performance from the lead actor, and a sympathetic script, the F/X are shoddy and the ridiculous plot dissolves into an obvious chase melodrama, ending at a dam. Not yet on DVD for some reason, though was on YouTube for awhile.

Actually, I have seen this on and off, but watching it again in its entirety actually was a good thing. This is rare when describing Gordon's works.

Glenn Manning is the unfortunate guy who gets the full blast of a plutonium bomb. Poor guy is real mad about growing every day and being treated like a freak (hey, who doesn't). Although the effects are pure de Monsieur Gordon, it does work well with the film (I was cracking up with the big syringe). Glenn's rants and angina attacks do create some sympathy, but man, his girl sure stood by his side!! Some parts do tend to drag, there are lots of dimly lit hallways perfect for subterfuge and the miniature knick knacks were classic!

Um, there's a sequel?? Can I change my vote?