First off, this is NOT a remake. So all you critics and diehard THINGers out there, give this Thing a chance. Who knows maybe it will take a decade or more for this film to be appreciated like the now 1982 classic Carpenter take.
This tale takes place obviously before the events in the 1982 film by only a few days at best . Norwegian scientists stumble across a huge carrier obviously from another planet and someTHING frozen in the ice. With no time to make a decision, medical student Kate Llyod ( Mary Elizabeth Winstead) is called upon for a dig and research of the findings. Now the following happenings to some may be called a carbon copy of the original. I don’t think so. It’s a simple equation or riddle if you will. What’s a Thing to do when the Thing we speak of done did it the thing already? The SameTHING!!! It is a prequel so nothing should be different. Right?!?! The point of the movie is like the Men at Work throwback classic 80′s jam “Who Can It Be Now” cleverly placed pumping through the now obsolete walkman during the film. The movie flows nicely with a mere bump that makes it drag but recovers and makes it all not that bad.
Director Matthijis van Heiningen definitely is either a fan of Carpenter or did his homework. He did stay true to JC and almost 100% set it up nicely for the superior film. I don’t give him the full 100% for I am not happy with the origin of the two-faced creature that Dr. Blair examines in Carpenter’s film. Scored nicely by Marco Beltrami which really isn’t too far off from Ennio Morricone’s subtle yet perfect music. As for CGI, gimme chicken wire and syrup over that computer crap any day. I am a fan of the original, which in itself was a remake (1951′s The Thing from Another World). Hollywood continues to struggle for originality, so they continue to find THINGs they can re-create, re-image and reproduce for the next generation. Not my generation.
In closing, this ain’t your Granddaddy’s Thing nor your Daddy’s thing. It’s their Thing. Who are they? A question asked daily. 103 Mins
2.5 Stars
Review by Nzasixx
PS I was reminded while watching what Cujo did for St. Bernards, The Thing did for Huskys. Two dogs I may never trust again!