Factual error: As the gun-toting Norseman approaches the buildings, Garry smashes the single-pane window with his handgun. It is inconceivable that the glazing in a structure near the South Pole would be single-pane glass, that would provide minimal insulation and which could be broken so easily.
The Thing (1982)
2 reviews
Directed by: John Carpenter
Starring: Kurt Russell, Keith David, Wilford Brimley, David Clennon, T.K. Carter
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The Thing (1982) is a Science Fiction/Horror film by John Carpenter about a group of men who find an alien life form while dong research in Antarctica. Said monster can become anything, including your closest friends...deep paranoia and an uphill battle of survival follow. Practical effects, gruesome scenes and an intense atmosphere combine to make The Thing one of the best of its time and well beyond. Kurt Russell stars. Enjoy.
I own this movie (3 film box set) on DVD.
What can I really say about this movie that hasn't been echoed by countless other people over the years? It's brilliant and amazing. I came to this film late though, only watching it for the first time myself about a year or two ago when I got this DVD set. Since then I've watched it I think 3 or 4 times. Once on my own, once with my son, and once with my dad.
For an early 80s effects film, it really holds up well. Even with some of it being dated it gives it that special charm that practical effects can where modern CGI flicks lack.
Kurt Russell is one of my favorite actors and this is a stand out performance from him even among other films.
This is a retelling of the novella, "Who Goes There?" and more of an attempt at making a more accurate interpretation of the actual book rather than being a remake of the 1951 film The Thing from Another World. While the 51 film is still good, it was very limited and held back by the technology of the time, with them opting to make the alien more of a Frankenstein's monster like creature. Here we get to see the true capabilities of this... Thing... and it's glorious.
With the ending of this movie being perfect, and is something still hotly debated on for years and years...
My take on the ending? Neither of them are the thing and it just shows how paranoia causes more destruction with them both freezing to death together watching the other with the danger already over. But that's just one of 4 possible ways to interpret the ending on who is or isn't The Thing at the end.
This is quite obviously a 5 out of 5 star movie and deservedly so.
Mistake Status: I plan to do these 3 movies at some point.
More mistakes in The Thing
Clark: I dunno what the hell's in there, but it's weird and pissed off, whatever it is.
Trivia: In the scene after Macready visits the Norwegian base, he is explaining what he saw to everyone. Childs questions what he says calling it voodoo, while Palmer says "Chariots of the Gods, man. They practically taught the Mayans everything they knew." This is in reference to Eric Von Daniken's 1968 book Chariot of the Gods, about ancient aliens being the catalyst for our modern world. (00:39:30 - 00:40:30)
Question: Was any member of the team aware that they were infected by the creature, or did they not know they were until they began changing?
Answer: The death of Fuchs is probably the best answer to this question, as it appeared that Fuchs burned himself alive before the Thing could assimilate him. It's also possible that Norris suspected he was infected before he transformed. There is a scene in which we see Norris, who is alone, suddenly wince in pain, surprised, and grab at his chest, but he continues functioning normally thereafter. Following the altercation with Mac, Norris collapses and becomes unresponsive, until his chest cracks wide open and bites off Copper's arms. Also, in the blood test scene, Palmer's facial expressions appear to betray his secret, but he was already fully transformed at that point.
Charles Austin Miller