Hard to believe The Thing flopped at the box office! Released same year as Steven Spielberg's 1982 ET, The Thing landed on the opposite spectrum of fan-expecting outer space visitors.
Needless to say opinions have changed. The Thing is regarded as one of the greatest horror films of all-time, and stands as John Carpenter's best work. Rob Bottin's practical effects are over-the-top grotesque, yet highlight the creature's shape-shifting powers to unimaginable heights. I wonder just what the hell must have been going through Rob's mind when he designed some of these effects. Incredible work.
Seriously, the effects in this movie stand up even now through 2K conversion. Shout Factory released an updated version of The Thing packed with new interviews with John Carpenter and the cast, and a host of featurettes.
The fun part in watching The Thing for the first time (or second, or third!) is figuring out who gets infected first. Sharp eyes will discern who the shadow belongs to during the jump-off scene, but it's not easy. This is a rapid deterioration of the human mind. Paranoia sets in immediately. Friends turn on each other. Creatures stand amongst humans, and we get some amazing creature outburst sequences besting anything produced now. Beyond Aliens, The Thing is a big reason why I write horror.
Why should I watch it?
Kurt Russell has been an A-list stalwart for decades, but his turn as R.J. MacReady is truly stellar. The late Wilford Brimley as Dr. Blair is another standout. And that score by Ennio Morricone will gives you the chills.
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