The Thing (John Carpenter)
 

How good was this movie? I keep hearing from a lot of people that it's great and many call it a classic.

But alien horror really isn't my dish - I hated all the Alien movies (shit, here comes the fists) and I'm not too big on Sci-fi horror (although I do always give it a chace). Now, I don't even know if this flick is consider a full blown alien horror movie but it does look that way from the trailer.

The type of horror flicks I like (to name a few) are:

Exorcist III
House of 1000 Corpses
American Werewolf in London
Dog Soldiers (and no, I don't agree with that dumb ass Ad that says "It's like Alien, Predator, & something else all in one")
Dead Alive(thanks to Caiman for posting the face pull pic which made me buy the movie)

So what do you think? Will I like "The Thing"? Or is it too heavy on the sci-fi side of things?

Hmmm, i liked those films you mentioned above and THE THING is my favorite sci-fi horror flick. It doesnt get into the sci-fi stuff that much, just that its an alien and no sci-fi mumbo jumbo talk like Star Trek. Its more horror than anything with some monsters and some good gore. I have seen the THING at least 50 times since I got the DVD back in 98. It is awesome and worth checking out

A good fan site with loads of info on the film.
http://www.outpost31.com/index2.html

Why not rent it? Two outcomes; one, you don't like it and you've only used a couple dollars on a rent, or two, you really like the film and decide to get it, not caring about the fact that you've already spent money renting it.

Totally totally worth a rental at least. Great movie.

I'm not a big Carpenter fan, but I absolutely love THE THING. There is not really much of a SF element to the film, other than the origin of the "thing" itself. To me, it feels much more like a horror film (but then again, I consider the first Alien film to be a horror film that just happens to take place on a spaceship). Anyway, its definitely worth checking out.

Its a bit gorey, but the effects hold up extremely well for a movie made in 1982. I actually saw it for the first time last week, and really enjoyed it.

:up:

I just checked it out this summer. I'm going to have to agree---it's definitely worth a watch.

Seemed more like a suspense film than horror to me. I watched it for the first time a couple years ago, and wasn't that impressed.

I would recommend renting first.

I should probably mention that I'm not a big fan of horror movies though, so I may not be the best judge.

Its one of the few movies that i would actually call scary.

Really? I'd go with Night of the Living Dead as a good comp. Trapped in a house, etc...

Anyway, The Thing is an incredible movie. Dare I say brilliant?

It's like 12 Angry Men meets Alien.

Awesome movie, extremely scary and gory. A good comparison might be Cronenberg's "The Fly", if you liked one I'd think you might like the other. Neither of 'em I'd watch on a full stomach but among my favorite horror movies.

The Thing is a great film. It kind of got lost in it's theatrical release, because it came out the same time as Spielberg's ET. But, thanks to home video it's finally got it's recognition as a great scifi film. I think it's John Carpenter's best film.

Highly Recommended.

"It's like 12 Angry Men meets Alien"

now, that is new....

but it's kind of true ina sense though

fantastic movie, you need to rent at least... heck, BUY IT!!!

If you didn't like Alien you probably won't like The Thing. IMO, both are great essential horror movies but it seems that type of movie isn't your.... thing :)

Give it a rent when you get a chance or borrow from a friend... and watch it with the lights out.

It's in my top ten fave movies. Even though it's over 20 years old, it has aged extremely well (ok, except for the chess computer) thanks to amazing special FX that makes most of today's CGI look like crap. The desolation aspect is the winner here for me and Carpenter's simple but super-effective score adds to the proceedings. The movie has a couple of the best jump-out-of-your-seat moments and also one of the greatest endings IMO.

Looking forward to finally getting the anamorphic version!

My favorite horror flick.

It's actually quite a scary movie. The only rip on it is that it takes the original (it's a remake of The Thing From Another World) and turns it into a gore-fest. My advice is to rent both and be the judge for yourself.

Now, THAT's brilliant.

:up: for The Thing

I agree. It's the only movie I ever had to actually watch in two sittings because of the intensity. The original is also very good.

This is one of the few flicks that combines all the best of genre films:
Sci-fi (though not heavy-handed with it)
Cool Monster!
Gore
Suspense
Scares

It's a damn-near-perfect movie for genre buffs. * Note: It's being re-released later this year with anamorphic video.

Thanks for all the input - I'll be watching this soon.

Nice and Gory huh? I'm starting to like it already ;)

Easily my favorite Carpenter film and certainly one the best modern horror/sci-fi pictures ever made. I think I watch this more than any other film in my collection. I can never turn it off part way through. Extras are also excellent, especially the very candid discussion with Rob Bottin. Despite the gore factor, the effects work was very impressive and holds up very well. Not to mention a great ensemble cast. All of the actors played very well against each other. You really felt the tension.

Great analogy,I never would have put it that way,but now that you did it fits perfect

Either you mean Ennio Morricone's score, or you subscribe to the mildly popular belief that Carpenter did most of the scoring himself.

Overall I thought it was a pretty good movie the only thing I didn't really like about were the monster effects. IMHO they are starting to look dated/cheesy (the dog creature in particular stands out in my mind).

I really enjoyed this movie. Also check out the original "Thing" cuz IMO it wasn't that bad either.

I love the documentary on that disc too... and who was it, Rob Bottin? that kept sayin "You know" after every word he said.

:lol:
That guy was awesome! Totally dedicated to his craft. I wish more extras showcased guys like this.

I couldn't disagree more. If there's any movie that has stood the test of time as far as FX are concerned, The Thing, IMO, is definitely it.

It was 1982 for goodness sake!!! Look at some of the creature effects now and they still don't compare...one horrible example is "Dreamcatcher". The finale duty monsters were god awful.

The creatures in "The Thing" were horrifyingly disgusting and that is how they were meant to be...disgusting. With that, they invoked absolute terror when watching and knowing that anyone of the men could turn into a beastie like that was sad and pathetic and that is why the movie is so great and has stood as a horror movie and movie lover's favorite for over 20 years.

Actually I remember it looking kind of cheesy back then too IMHO... age has only added the "dated" comment ;)

Please!!!! Talk about your typical hyperbole. I love The Thing as well, and the effects were very good for their time. But let's not go overboard with the ridiculous shit. I watched it a week ago, and no, the effects don't come close to making today's best CG look like crap. In fact, it can't even touch today's best CG by a mile. In fact, the effects have dated somewhat. Even puppets and makeup has come a long way compared to what was used in The Thing.

All I'm saying is let's tone down the hyperbole. I know CG, for whatever ridiculous reason, is everyone's favorite whipping boy at the moment, but jeez. Give me a break.

Um, yes they do. People like whining about CG, and there are levels of good and bad examples of CG. But c'mon. This doesn't not come close to today's examples of FX.

http://www.outpost31.com/movie/images/headstretch.jpg

Not a chance. It's looks like a rubber head done in 1982. Yes, the film is 22 years old, and the effects are dated. I still love'em as they are, and I'm not criticizing. It's happens to all FX heavy films. Sooner or later they get dated. It was great work in '82. But it wouldn't even be considered good by today's best standards.

If they used CGI it would certainly look different, though maybe not better. However, prosthetic/rubber parts for that particular scene wouldn't necessarily an improvement. Heck, Men in Black was just on tv and the head used by the alien at the beginning looks pretty rubbery.

But, whatever, it's a great movie regardless.

I have to agree with the dated effects. I watched this a few months ago and while the movie still works, the effects took me out of it for a while due to looking quite fake especially the head that turns into a spider thing.

I watched it again last night and still has not lost its appeal... bring on more THING!

I dated the effects in '82. They put out.

LOVED IT!!!! But.......... Ya know, I kind of feel like horror fans are saying "damn dude, you love horror and you've never seen The Thing?" That's how this movie made me feel!!!!

The majority were right, this is NOT a sci-fi film, It's a dripping, drooling bloody horror mess that is without question a freakin' masterpiece. I loved its pace and how Carpenter gave you more than a full scope of where are boys were hanging out at, it just felt like you were right there with them (the camera work when running down the halls - damn perfect if you ask me, the dog coming around the corner to chill with a dude, for some reason, that shit freaked me out).

Kurt is the man, I think this is one of his best films -just a great job. Keith David was bad ass to (I really like this dude, he can act his ass off ladies and gents and when he's pissed, you know it) I was more than happy when he popped up in this flick.

As for the effects, people who down them are nuts - this movie has better effects than a lot of the garbage put out today and they have MORE than aged well - just great stuff and I loved and fell for all of it, a true horror freaks delight.

I'm really very surprised with this flick and I will be buying it soon ;) :up: