The Thing

The Thing is a hybrid remake of two different films. The first film it takes from both thematically and in title is The Thing From Another World, a great 50's sci-fi movie. The second is the Invasion of the Body Snatchers which has spawned for sequels and remakes than any other film in mind. Unlike Body Snatchers but directly pulling from The Thing From Another World, this 1982 John Carpenter film uses the setting of Antarctica. One day the scientists working at the remote outpost notice one of their dogs rushing towards them from out on the horizon. A helicopter is following it and the men inside are throwing bombs and shells down at the animal. When the men inside threaten the scientists, their boss kills the men, the dog escapes. It is revealed later, though, that the dog is merely the vessel for an alien creature that the men from the helicopter unearthed while drilling. The alien can imitate the body structure of any creature in gruesome fashion. This now means that any of the scientists could be an alien. Kurt Russell leads the cast, and it is only his screen presence and Carpenter's use of claustrophobic space that makes the film any fun. Mostly to the film's fault is the really, really bad writing. Sentences don't stream past three and what the men have to say is usually pretty dumb. So are there actions, for even though the alien can only "absorb" when it's alone with one other person, everyone at the camp decides to stray off and go on late-night strolls. The Thing is decently entertaining however, despite such faults.
The Thing: ★★★