The Giant Spider

The acting is mediocre at best. The special effects are of varied quality. Actually, the spider scenes are for the most part handled rather well. The stock footage is horribly obvious. As for the writing and directing, well, let's just say that Chris Mihm need not worry about being nominated for any Oscar.

It's quite obvious that this is a very low budget independent movie.

But... it's all done with a great deal of love for the fifties "big bug" movies that it pays tribute to. If it was any slicker it just wouldn't be as much fun as it is.

If you like these old films, you'll probably love The Giant Spider. I know I did.

The is the 8th movie made my Christopher R. Mihm, all of which pay loving homage to those wonderful B 'monster' movies of the 1950's. Well, except one which is really a murder mystery. If you love watching Them or Robot Monster, seeing actors like John Agar and Richard Carlson on the screen, being amazed at the world of 50's style special effects (only better I think), you can't help but love Mr. Mihm's movies. The Giant Spider is his best one yet! There is drama, humor, action, love and thrills to satisfy all. It is obvious that everyone involved with the making of this movies truly loves what they are doing. Be prepared to laugh out loud, to cringe in 'fear', and to just enjoy a little over an hour of fun!!!!! This is a must see!

As a fan of 50's and 60's B movies, I found this movie extremely entertaining. The characters and plot were well written for the genre. The giant spider itself was awesome--maybe even 'too good' compared to the giant bug movies from the time period the movie conveyed. If you're a fan of black and white horror/science fiction movies, you will find this movie well worth the time. I'm looking up the others written by Mr. Mihms to give them a viewing as well.

Christopher R. Mihm's THE GIANT SPIDER is another of his purposefully cheeezey, intentionally hokey, terminally low-budget, 1950's sci-fi homage / parody films. As such, it's almost as stellar as his THE MONSTER OF PHANTOM LAKE.

The characters -military, scientist eggheads, reporters, etc.- are funny, the story is suitably silly, and the titular, superimposed tarantula is a hairy horror, especially its close-up "face", which is a nice nod to the awesome arachnid in THE BLACK SCORPION! Toss in the catchy, opening theme song and this is great Saturday night entertainment. Recommended for all of the other Mihm-iacs out there!

P.S.- Also contains some stupendous stock footage during the final conflict!...

Spider A+, acting D-. I had high hopes for the Giant Spider, being that I love old black and white horror movies. Sadly this did not live up to those expectations.