World Famous Comics: The Thing - Collector's Edition
The Thing - Collector's Edition
Starring: Wilford Brimley, T.K. Carter, David Clennon, Keith David, Richard A. Dysart Average Rating: Aspect Ratio: 2.35:1 Audience Rating: R (Restricted) Binding: DVD Format: Closed-captioned, Collector's Edition, Color, Dolby, DVD, Letterboxed, Widescreen, NTSC Number of Items: 1 Region Code: 1 Release Date: September 09, 1998 Running Time: 109 minutes Studio: Universal Pictures Theatrical Release Date: June 25, 1982
Amazon.com: Director John Carpenter and special makeup effects master Rob Bottin teamed up for this 1982 remake of the 1951 science fiction classic The Thing from Another World, and the result is a mixed blessing. It's got moments of highly effective terror and spine-tingling suspense, but it's mostly a showcase for some of the goriest and most horrifically grotesque makeup effects ever created for a movie. With such highlights as a dog that splits open and blossoms into something indescribably gruesome, this is the kind of movie for die-hard horror fans and anyone who slows down to stare at fatal traffic accidents. On those terms, however, it's hard not to be impressed by the movie's wild and wacky freak show. It all begins when scientists at an arctic research station discover an alien spacecraft under the thick ice, and thaw out the alien body found aboard. What they don't know is that the alien can assume any human form, and before long the scientists can't tell who's real and who's a deadly alien threat. Kurt Russell leads the battle against the terrifying intruder, and the supporting cast includes Richard Masur, Richard Dysart, Donald Moffat, and Wilford Brimley. They're all playing standard characters who are neglected by the mechanistic screenplay (based on the classic sci-fi story "Who Goes There?" by John W. Campbell), but Carpenter's emphasis is clearly on the gross-out effects and escalating tension. If you've got the stomach for it (and let's face it, there's a big audience for eerie gore), this is a thrill ride you won't want to miss. --Jeff Shannon
Still holds up ^ Outstanding film, even 20+ years later. All the more amazing given that this was pre-computer generated graphics. Kurt Russell at his prime, and Wilfred Brimley before he became a schill for Quaker Oats. You will not go wrong buying this movie!
not quite as good as the 1951 version,but still pretty good (3.5/5) ^ i have to admit,i actually liked the 1951 version of this film better.don't get me wrong,this is still a good film.it has a good deal of suspense.the setting is good,the whole being isolated in a remote location,nobody around for miles scenario.Alien had the same sort of vibe a few years before with the added element of claustrophobia in the mix,and did a better job.The Thing is just a little too slow and drawn out.add a few scenes of chaos and noise for effect,and a creature that just didn't do it for me in terms of how it looked and moved.despite that,i did like the whole mystery element to it.that was well done.and the ending was interesting.you sort of have to draw your conclusions.for me,The Thing is a 3.5/5
The Best Film of it's Kind! ^ The Thing is a great film. Everything works really well. The acting is terrific and the special effects are great even today. There isn't much more to say accept it's an excellent piece of movie making!
How Is This In The IMDb Top 250? ^ This could easily have been a Star Trek episode and have been wrapped up in half the time. If only they had a universal translator or spoke Norwegian! The Thing may have been state of the art in 1982, but it just looks cheap in the 21st century where we are used to awesome CGI effects.
I cannot believe that these men are "researchers" - they seem more guys you would find in a police station, both the cops and the criminals. So, you can get high at the research station? And roller skate around it? Not very professional, indeed.
Kurt Russell channels Escape from New York's Snake Plissken for John Carpenter who directed both films. How does Kurt's R.J. MacReady, who is the station's helicopter pilot, know everything and always have the right answer? MacReady wears the worst hat ever worn in the movies.
Don't bother with this unbelievable farce.
I'm not getting it. ^ Is this film great commentary on paranoia and what can happen to people during stressful life or death situations. Yes. Based on that, the film deserves five stars. I'll also give it another star for the super gutsy ending. No, I'm not telling. However.....I'm judging this film based on being a film not for it's social commentary.
What was good? Great acting, great fx, and great direction for Carpenter.
The bad? As much as you try to dress the film up, it's still a "B" horror movie. It's a good B horror movie but STILL a B horror movie. It's hokey and corny in places. The monster/alien..... May I ask? Why are invading aliens always so aggressive??? Let's see....they always have this super intelligence. Space ships that can fly across the universe in the blink of an eye. And yet.....their one and only goal seems to wreak havoc and destruction on mankind. Hollywood has a way of making super intellingent extraterrestrial/interdimensional beings INCREDIBLY stupid and one dimensional. I would compare this movie to "The Mist". Same commentary on humanity and how we react to things, except I think "The Mist" did it a lot better.
It's a good movie, but not great. Recommended for a rental.
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