John Carpenter's The Thing
May 4th 2008 05:49
This week I write a review on a horror film which is more fun to watch than ten John Waters audio commentaries - ‘John Carpenter’s The Thing’ – is the film I speak of which is based on a short story by John W. Campbell, Jr. called ‘Who goes there?’ which is a title you can’t help but getting a big joyous grin over if you’re a fan of this movie. Now this is a very short review as it is best to watch this film with as little knowledge of what it’s all about as possible – and do so with the lights out as the tension that builds in this film is unsurpassed for its kind.
John Carpenter's The Thing
The beginning of this film has the juiciest setup possible as a helicopter flies over the snowy terrain of Antarctica with two Norwegian men who are hunting down a dog furiously over the terrain, captured in a magical manner by cinematographer Dean Cundey, trying to blast it away with everything they’ve got. The helicopter finds itself at a station filled with researchers and scientists. As this beautiful animal runs into the arms of its owner at an American science research station, the ranting and raving ‘madman’ from the helicopter heads towards this dog manically trying to finish it off. When a stray bullet hits one the researchers at the station, the two Norwegians are the only thing that land up being killed. As soon as this film begins it is very clear – you are not in for a film which intends to be a story with any strings, character study or humanity attached to it, it is simply a good old fashioned yarn, but my God, what a yarn and a damn confidently told one too.
As these researchers go researching who these crazy out of nowhere men were in a team lead by McRead, played by Kurt Russel (an actor who has his limitations but is so in tune with what he can and can’t do that it is always a treat to watch him) along with many other fine actors including David Kieth (Requiem For a Dream), they find something which will stike fear and distrust into all of them until the final tense frame of this Carpenter classic. To give you a clue of what we’re dealing with here, in the very first shot of the film we see a U.F.O. blazing through space, if that gives you an idea.
Watch this one with the lights off
As I said before it is a joy to watch this film with out too much knowledge of where the story intends to take you, but the first time a certain ‘Thing’ reveals it’s presence we feel the mixed surprise of shock and thrill as we realize what we and every character are in for. The script by Bill Lancaster is so unbelievably tight and worked on that you never have one moment of question or doubt in your head about the small details, as a result the film sweeps you up and if you embrace what it is - which isn’t hard to do – its flawless manipulation will take you through the best adventure you can have. There are some gross shocks along the way as the tension of this film works your heartbeat and stomach into knots. Ennio Moricone’s surprisingly restrained score is perfect for the film as it gives the tension enough lift to keep you double checking that there’s nothing behind you. So if you fancy being frightened to death one night then look no further.
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Comment by JohnDoe
Film & TV on DVD
As a study of destructive paranoia and man's primal reaction to fear, The Thing and Invasion of the Body Snatchers are the end word....and those FX, astonishingly timeless.
Comment by Bob Kovacs
Movie Stripe
Comment by Cibbuano
Hunt Famous
Orble Post of the Day
Fat Cult
Techbreak
Here's my review: The Thing!
Comment by Bryn
Horrorphile
Here's my review if you're interested.