The Thing

February 06, 2007

The Thing (1982) starring Kurt Russell, Wilford Brimley, and Keith David. This updated remake of The Thing from Another World (1951) is directed by John Carpenter.

The story takes place in Antarctica. The United States government has set up a facility there doing research, experiments… well they never really do say what they are doing down there but that’s isn’t important… what is important is that this research team gets a visit from the Norwegian research team that is only a few miles away. The Norwegians are hunting a big Husky through the snow with machine guns and a helicopter. An accident happens and the Norwegians are dead but the dog is taken to kennel and placed with the other dogs. Later that night, all hell breaks loose. Turns out the Norwegians found something in the snow, something from another world that can imitate anything to perfection. Guess what? Now it is imitating the research team.

This is a great who goes there movie. It gets to the point where no one trust anybody and as the body count goes up the temperature in Antarctica goes down and these researchers are running out of ideas on who is “the thing” and who isn’t.

Now this film has a great cast and great story, plus some truly remarkable special effects and brilliant make-up. Kurt Russell is excellent as the man who takes charge of the situation. Carpenter shapes Russell into the leader and hero so that the audience has some one to trust but by the end you know as they know you can’t trust anyone but yourself.

This is phenomenal DVD as well. Yes, the interviews and commentary tracks are transferred right from the old Laser Disc but who cares. The making of documentary reveals so many camera and make-up tricks I found myself watching the movie all over again just to take notice.

The Thing is a perfect Halloween movie. It has probably the best, if not the most unique monster in all of movie history.


Click here to read the staff review by Mania.