The Thing (1982) starring Kurt Russell, Wilford Brimley, T.K. Carter, David Clennon, Keith David directed by John Carpenter Movie Review

The Thing (1982)   3/53/53/53/53/5


Kurt Russell in The Thing (1982)

The Thing is ....

Life at the Antarctic research Outpost is routine for the 12 man U.S. tram stationed there till one day two members of a Norwegian team fly in in a chopper shooting at a dog. The seemingly crazed Norwegian's die but the dog takes up residence at the Outpost, Curios as to why the Norwegian's were obsessed with killing the dog Doc Copper (Richard Dysart) and chopper pilot R.J. MacReady (Kurt Russell) visit their outpost and not only discover everyone dead but an ice coffin which had been dug up and a disfigured body. What no one has realised is their new canine companion is in fact an alien which kills, eats and then imitates those it comes in contact with. When they realise things are not right it is too late as no one knows who they can trust.

6 times, yes 6 times I have watched John Carpenter's "The Thing" and it is not because I love it. No "The Thing" is my movie nemesis as pretty much everyone I know who cares about movies think it is a classic but I don't see it. It's not that I think it is bad, there is no way I could have watched it more than a couple of times if it had been bad but I can't see what is so great about it.

In truth there is much which I like about "The Thing", the simple sci-fi horror storyline of these researchers stuck in the Antarctic where they come under threat from a morphing alien life form is impressive. So are the special affects and there is a very graphic, gruesome side to "The Thing" which despite now being over 30 years old still are highly effective. The scene where we discover the dog is not as it seems is still one of the most powerful special effects sequences I have seen. You can also add the acting to the positives as Kurt Russell delivers an entertaining leading man performances but is aided by an impressive supporting cast all of which play entertaining characters. But the thing is that for all these positives I just don't go wild for it and despite numerous attempts don't know what is so special about it.

What this all boils down to is that John Carpenter's "The Thing" remains my nemesis, an entertaining movie which a lot of positives but not the great movie which it appears to be for many.


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