Though the CGI requisite to bring the eponymous creature [#2-3 of all-time by its fascinating biology and power to become the apex organism in galaxy hierarchy] to life is of painful absence (advanced, but tragically limited by the resources of its era and overly-bawdy, cartoony) & the finale is mixedly-executed, The Thing is an ’80’s classic whodunit mystery x cynical antiauthoritarian Cold War / HIV atmospheric Lovecraftian cosmic treatise on anonymity, claustrophobia, identity, masculinity, xenophobia, humanity, mistrust, and paranoia x splatterfest gore slasher x alien sci-fi flick with fantastic [Kurt Russell-led] performances, blood-curdling Morricone score of deep bass crunches and palpable mystery/dread symphonics, & pure craftsmanship imagination further crowning John Carpenter king of the horror genre. 9.2/10.

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Plot Synopsis: In remote Antarctica, a group of American research scientists are disturbed when they find a helicopter shooting at a sled dog near their camp. When they take in the dog, they realize there is something funny about it, and soon after find its remains and a beast in their camp that can assume different forms of its victims. A resourceful helicopter pilot (Kurt Russell) and the camp doctor (Richard Dysart) lead the crew as they try to discover and battle against the creature before it picks them all off and can escape incognito.

*Possible Spoilers Ahead*

Pros: Great opening scene as we are automatically hardwired to think on the side of the crew and wonder what is going on and why the man would be trying to shoot an innocent dog purposely manipulated by man’s best friend a wolf in [dog]’s clothing who even malevolently gives kisses to play the part – also mystery on just what happened to the norwegian base that startled and turned those men into such lunatics instantly luring you in and artfully splitting up the camp to let the thing fester and get a new host to impersonate behind the scenes /// epic Morricone score deep tone bass crunches creates palpable aggression something dark lurking beneath the surface, also mimics heartbeat what connects us all life but replicated by thing //// great performance by Kurt Russell skyrocketing his career as well as the other supporting actors, terrifying concept in having an imposter alien that can change form so you never know who is real and who is not really who they say they are, high squealing violins minor key mystery palpable dread feels wrong supernatural tugs at stomach knots /// one of the best usages of animal acting the dog lurks eyes wolf stalks camp plotting in secret /// pure imagination from John Carpenter crowning him as easily the king of horror genre such a hyperimaginative concept new age and better invasion of the body snatchers on capocalyptica scale and difference from halloween and his other icon entries; direction a little heavy at times alien xenomorph 2.0 #2-3 best movie monster ever created only after xenomorph godzilla fascinating biology can disguise itself as any life form by absorbing it in grotesque of ways only needs few moments alone with prey can hunt from anyone what u trust most ostensibly able to replicate even to memory personality iq level it knows all our names or learns from side very intelligent each part of body own organism all intent fighting for life even blood able to fight for itself move wants to conqer worlds invasion able to learn incorporate memory of every lifeform on that planet into its library dna code to build ultimate organism difference from xenomorph not to destroy life but to rule over it as apex organism still so much we don’t know about thing biology how does it replicate host can host still be alive to try to convince others still them and keep up charade?, bold and out-of-the-box setting for a horror movie in Antarctica and the snow references to the shining axe madness //// fantastic gore horror scenes divers horrific horror scene with the dogs in the pen when we see the thing for the first time attacking one of the most sacred animals for humans in dogs /// incredible pacing and storytelling unfolding of the mystery of what this thing is and how it was discovered, mystery angle impeccable as you wonder who is really who they say they are and who is not /// masculinity analysis can’t talk about it but then again of course thing would just deny it all that strength means nothing ties into cold war analysis tensions finale too exhausted to even have showdown, also could be allegory for how well men get along until outside force (women = thing) introduced into mix /// insane final act with shocking reveals of who’s a Thing including the biggest surprise in that Blair who first warned of their danger is the biggest one, evocative scoring and theme, atmospheric build-up of tension through claustrophobia and a stunning location setting, paranoia, sacrifice, preservation,

Cons: really, REALLY hate the opening shot – bad CGi’d alien spaceship flying saucer cliche for no reason why be so blatantly obvious about it obviously we know it’s an alien and later find their ship so why even necessary /// The FX and CGI pretty laughable looking back – although you have to take it with a grain of salt considering the time and it is very advanced for the time practical vfx blood gushing organism, organism looks too cartoony and like a guignol carnival instead of realistic alien ///, wish they would’ve named it something better/more menacing than “The Thing”, /// bizarre exclusion of even one female whatsoever – are elements indicating it could be a scathing indictment of male inability to express emotion /// characters a bit one dimensional couldve added 15-20 min for more characterization very short 1 hr 45 min we don’t even know any backstory about who they are proto-modern slasher /// do not like the ending after all that we don’t even know if any thing made it out what happened to main character macready or childs who was suspiciously going around not a true one-off requires a sequel

Full Review Coming Soon