The Thing (1982)

The Thing...1982...109 minutes...rated R...starring Kurt Russell, Wilford Brimley, Keith David, and Richard Dysart...written by Bill Lancaster...directed by John Carpenter

Apparently, Norwegians hate dogs! Or so a team of Americans stationed in the Antarctic wilds would believe, when a helicopter from a "neighboring" station shows up with people using guns and grenades to try and obliterate an innocent-looking husky. Of course, these guys are crazy, aren't they? What could have possibly caused such a rampage? Such is the mystery that we as viewers are led into within the first few minutes of this John Carpenter remake of the 1951 movie "The Thing From Another World".

If you're expecting a calm, possibly staid movie remake...perhaps something reminiscent of the new "The Day The Earth Stood Still"...this is not the movie for you. If instead you are looking for something with gory, pre-CGI creature effects, plenty of action, and lots of paranoia-induced tension "The Thing" may be something for you. Since it's a Carpenter creation, the soundtrack is one that will hit the mood well. (especially as done by Ennio Morricone)

There are some things that may or may not suit you; Kurt Russell is the lead, which is no surprise for Carpernter fans but which may not be a turn-on for everyone. Also, you get to see Mr. Diabetes himself, Wilford Brimley, emote a lot as he tries to look either concerned, grim, or just driven over the edge. It's not exactly what I would call a pretty sight. I watched this movie on cable not long after it had it come out, on vacation no less, and as a teen  I thought this was one of the grossest things I had ever seen. (The effects are just over the top, which I found...and still find...a selling point.) Perhaps a modern audience would be a bit more jaded, but I will say that even now this is not a movie for the faint-hearted. And like any Carpenter piece, you'll either find this brilliant, unfinished and perhaps underpolished, or both.

As a Carpenter fan, I give it 3 torn pair of long johns out of 5.