- Directed by John Carpenter
- June 25, 1982
An isolated research station in the Arctic encounters an alien life form able to mimic any living creature.
Calling The Thing 1982 a remake of the original would perhaps be a bit inaccurate. This is more like a reboot that decides to take a somewhat more faithful approach to the original short story Who Goes There? by John W. Campbell, Jr. than the first adaption did. And in doing so it became one of the few remakes/reboots that is as good if not superior in comparison to the original.
John Carpenter, a talented director at the height of his abilities at the time, crafted a masterful horror film that makes your mind do more work than he actually does though there is plenty in the film to scare or disturb you. There is a sense of fear and paranoia throughout because you can never be sure of who is human and who is this alien.
The characters for much of the film do not trust one another. This creates an air of tension. And this isn’t mistrust for the sake of the story but rather a natural outgrowth of elements introduced during the story. Nothing is forced in. Story comes first.
Much of the film takes place within the crammed confines of an Arctic research station. The sense of the walls closing in makes you uneasy from the start. You get the feeling you are trapped there with the characters.
The music is masterful and minimal. It doesn’t overwhelm you but rather is just present enough to help heighten the atmosphere the masterful John Carpenter is trying to create. Ennio Morricone crafted a score that helps tell the story and is more than just good to listen to.
MacReady (Kurt Russell) is not a particularly likable hero. He just is the character best able to do what needs to be done. His cynicism and apparent dislike of people gives him an outsiders view of things. He’s not given to fly off the handle but is rather levelheaded. Russell’s performance here instantly made him one of my favorite actors. And he has never failed to deliver since.
This is in contrast to Childs (Keith David) who is aggressive and short tempered and seeks responsibility in contrast to McCready who reluctantly accepts it. Childs is not the type of person who you want in control during a crisis.
Blair (Wilford Brimley) is the one who realizes from the get-go what they are against and understands what the only real option is. He loses all hope and decides to do what he can to prevent the being from getting to civilization. Blair breaking when he realizes the threat the creature poses is just one of the many highlights of the film.
What I am saying is that you get a full spectrum of reactions. The characters are not disposable and interchangeable but rather distinct. Some are a little more well-rounded than others, but each have their own traits and mannerisms. You will not get one confused with who is who. Their assorted deaths/reveals will have an impact.
Another element that enhances this film is the use of practical effects. I know when this was filmed there was no such thing as CGI for film but there is something special that you get from practical effects that cannot be duplicated with computers. It’s a little more visceral knowing that it was actually there. And some of what they show is rather impressive.
The best moment in The Thing 1982 is the head skittering across the floor. It’s not a very long sequence but I had never seen anything like this before in a movie and I don’t think I’ve seen anything like it since. At least nothing as effective anyway. It perfectly encapsulates what the characters are up against without exposition, yet it still expands the story.
The script is just perfect. At least what we get on the screen. It’s my understanding there is a lot of film that was never used, and we almost got a very different movie. What Carpenter did give us is pure magic. It is near perfect science fiction horror presented by a director who at the time knew how to handle it. Was there anyone back then better at this than Carpenter?
Not everything in the story is handed to you nor are all questions clearly answered. The exact events at the Norwegian research station are not known but you can draw a few conclusions. And the closing mystery of who of the remaining survivors is a thing-if any-is never answered.
Why do people still like this movie 40 years after it came out? It gives you just enough to get you from the opening credits to the closing scene. You are left with a few questions that your mine can work with given what you know from the film. Are either of the final survivors a thing? What was the order of conversion? Films with staying power give you bits to endlessly discuss.
The Thing 1982 is a near perfect reboot that adheres closer to the source material than its predecessor did. It is gory and shocking and disturbing and definitely a must see!
