There are very few titles vaguer than 'The Thing', but after watching it you feel like it accurately describes what the film is about. This no nonsense approach is immediately apparent in the topic the film tackles, and by the frozen hairs of MacReady's chinny chin chin does this film tackle it. Within the first ten minutes a fleshy tentacle beast with multiple dog heads is writhing about like an epileptic Siamese dog (which was the film's working title) as it ejaculates alien goo everywhere.
That's not to say it's unsubtle or shallow, of course it's not: the opening sequence is almost a part of the film given the seemingly seamless way it puts the audience into the situation, and the intricate maze of misdirection and bluffs as the researchers look at each other as monsters, it feels authentic. And although you don't feel as close to the characters as their beards, it only adds to the sense of alienation and accusation that the film does so well.
That's not to say it's unsubtle or shallow, of course it's not: the opening sequence is almost a part of the film given the seemingly seamless way it puts the audience into the situation, and the intricate maze of misdirection and bluffs as the researchers look at each other as monsters, it feels authentic. And although you don't feel as close to the characters as their beards, it only adds to the sense of alienation and accusation that the film does so well.
 |
| The audience in The Situation of Jersey Shore fame. If the audience wore disney hats. |
Everything in this film is above average (especially monster/body horrors); the story, the atmosphere, the script, the special effects, the acting and sweet mother of cup holders does it have some striking visuals.
Anyone watching this movie cannot deny it is a landmark in horror first and sci-fi second, and therefore is deformed head and tentacles above the rest, with perhaps only 'Aliens' as it's competition, although 'The Thing' has the moral high-ground considering it isn't a franchise allow there is a worrying prequel creeping upon us).
In conclusion this frozen sausage fest starts brilliantly and ends brilliantlier, its sophistication and genuinely frightening horror entwines perfectly to form one of the most satisfying horrors and one of the most satisfying sci-fi’s of all time.
89% awesome - If you didn't like it, you should have.
