Film
What's on at the cinema plus reviews of the latest movie and DVD releases
The Thing (1982)
Director: John Carpenter
Movie review
From Time Out Film Guide
In re-adapting the John W Campbell story (Who Goes There?) already filmed so superbly in 1951 as The Thing from Another World, Carpenter provides a punchy enough action thriller as the men of a lonely Antarctic research team are menaced by a shape-changing alien from outer space. But there comes a time when spectacular special effects - even by the estimable Rob Bottin - are just not enough. Carpenter avoids the subtle suspense of the earlier version - all the guessing and paranoia and wonder - in favour of a mindlessly macho monster mash which looks and feels just like an ineptly plotted remake of Alien, right down to the chest-bursting scene. Russell's sub-Eastwood heroics hardly compensate for the absence of all characterisation, while Bill Lancaster's script boasts the most illogical climax any monster movie ever had. It's only fair to add that, had this been made by anybody else, one might be recommending it for its special effects; but that's the price Carpenter pays for having made so much better movies.Author: DP
User reviews of this film
-
- TOMMY said...
- Posted on Aug 31 2009 23:44 This is a masterpiece plain and simple. It captures a real feeling of fear and paranoia with nobody able to trust anybody. Like the characters the viewer is never sure who is the alien and who isn't. The reviewer for Time Out clearly how has no appreciation for suspense and the sci fi/horror genre. Idiot.
- Report as inappropriate
-
- True SF fan said...
- Posted on Jul 17 2009 03:47 The Time Out critic got it right. This is a ridiculously overrated piece of tripe drooled over by immature and illiterate fanboys who confuse gore and shock effects with genuine scares, and think elaborate FX are all a film needs. Despite the liberties the 1951 version takes, it is still one of the best and most intelligent SF thrillers ever made.
- Report as inappropriate
-
- Geoff said...
-
Posted on Jul 03 2009 15:41
Everybody gives this film 5 stars for a reason!
If you want fantastic suspense and a sense of utter paranoia as well as superb special effect then this is the sci-fi / monster flick for you. It has a real sense of terror, a definite feeling of 'oh my God, where is it now, who's going to be next!' This film WILL give you the willies if you watch it on your own for sure. - Report as inappropriate
-
- Neal said...
-
Posted on May 16 2009 14:41
The movie is the flagship of an era of monster flicks that stand out due to the brilliance of their special effects. I find it amazing that the reviewers would bash this movie for being an "Alien" ripoff! This movie still scares people in the modern era of CGI garbage and crappy slasher teen flicks.
This movie sits on the top shelf of truely scary monster flicks along with others such as American Werewolf in London, The Howling, Jaws, and others - Report as inappropriate
-
- James Cameron said...
-
Posted on Apr 07 2009 14:21
As I write this, The Thing from Another World has 88% on Rottentoms while JC's unarguably superior version has only 76% It is because of lazy and blatantly uninformed reviews like this one that this anomaly occurs. Quote: "In re-adapting the John W Campbell story (Who Goes There?) already filmed so superbly in 1951..." Reviewers should be careful when referring to sources that they haven't read. If he had, he would know that it actually bears very little resemblance to the 1951 version, aside from an alien lifeform in an Antarctic setting - the novella's intriguing central premise being ditched entirely in favour of standard man in a rubber suit fare. In fact, to call JC's film a remake at all is fairly tenuous.
Stating that this film in any way resembles Scott's Alien makes me wonder if the reviewer has even seen JC's film at all! It is seriously NOTHING like it whatsoever! Even as mentioned the chest bursting scenes - not remotely similar. If anyone has any idea what this 'illogical ending' is referring to I'd love to know! And as for JC avoiding the paranoia of the original - dude admit it, you really haven't seen this movie have you???! Either that or you were blazing a doobie at the time because JC's film is at it's very zenith is a film ABOUT paranoia, unlike the admittedly classy yet daffy original which is about a man in a rubber suit. With respect, this reviewer should perhaps stick to writing reviews for dull tripe like English Patient - Report as inappropriate
-
- Godfrey Hamilton said...
- Posted on Aug 29 2008 23:16 Any chance of amateur "reviewers", however enthusiastic, avoiding "moron" and "retarded"? Just too easy, just too cheap, just so tiresome.
- Report as inappropriate
-
- Ken said...
- Posted on Mar 02 2008 06:59 I agree with Adam...not even close to Alien in story or life form. What made the movie so enjoyable was the suspense. Yeah, there was a lot of alien flowers, spider legs and teeth, but the real power lies in the creepy feeling it leaves in you for the next few hours, wondering, "God, what would happen if that got to L.A. or New York..or my neighborhood?" Great movie, great ending, great monster, awesome paranoia.
- Report as inappropriate
-
- Adam said...
- Posted on Jan 02 2008 03:11 This movie is a classic. Only a moron would say it is a rip off of alien. Apart from the fact that has an alien they have nothing in common. This movie is not a "mindlessly macho monster mash" it has strong theme of paranoia, nobody knows who to trust and thats what makes the movie so great, not to mention possibly the greatest ending in a movie ever which people to this day still talk about. You either saw a different movie or you are retarded.
- Report as inappropriate
Cast & crew
Director: John Carpenter
Producer: David Foster, Lawrence Turman
Cast: Kurt Russell, Wilford Brimley, TK Carter, David Clennon, Richard Dysart, Richard Masur, Donald Moffat full cast
Genre(s): Science Fiction
Duration: 109 mins
Most popular on this site
Top Stories
Stephen Poliakoff discusses 'Glorious 39'
Stephen Poliakoff’s ‘Glorious 39’ is his first film for cinema since ‘Food of Love’ in 1997. Dave Calhoun met him
Is 'Paranormal Activity' the new 'Blair Witch'?
How does a film go from DIY experiment to box-office smash? 'Paranormal Activity' director Oren Peli explains
Steven Soderbergh on 'The Informant!' and 'The Girlfriend Experience'
We talk to Steven Soderbergh about his two forthcoming films: one featuring a porn star, the other a chubby Matt Damon
A gateway to all things 'New Moon'
In anticipation of 'The Twilight Saga: New Moon', Time Out is offering the chance to pick up a limited edition pack with three exclusive magazines and a free poster.
London Children's Film Festival
Read our exclusive reviews of films playing at the 2009 London Children’s Film Festival
The films that deserve a TV spin-off
With Roland Emmerich suggesting he'd like to make a '2012' TV spin-off, we propose some more movie-to-TV serialisations
The Coen brothers discuss 'A Serious Man'
Masters of contrary comedy, Joel and Ethan Coen have struck gold again with their latest, ‘A Serious Man’
Michael Haneke discusses 'The White Ribbon'
Dave Calhoun met with Michael Haneke in Munich to mull over the details of his Palme d'Or winner, 'The White Ribbon'
Ten inspirations behind 'Avatar'?
Time Out ponders the influences behind James Cameron's anticipated space-opera on the basis of the trailer
Time Out's 50 greatest animated films with commentary by Terry Gilliam
In celebration of the release of Pixar's 'Up' and Wes Anderson's 'Fantastic Mr Fox', read our rundown of fifty classic feature length animations












What do you think?
Post your review now