Despite mixed reviews and a subpar box office return, John Carpenter's (best known for directing the original "Halloween") 1982 film, "The Thing,"gained a strong cult following over the years after its release on home video. With a mostly unknown cast headlined by Kurt Russell, the film was a story of paranoia and panic as members of an isolated Antarctican research outpost encounter an alien that can perfectly imitate any life form with which it comes into contact. Twenty-nine years later, "The Thing" fans are finally treated to another installment, also entitled "The Thing."
This chapter serves as a prequel to the 1982 film, which is now regarded as one of the scariest movies of all time. Taking place three days before the events of the Carpenter version, the plot focuses on the Norwegian crew that discovered the alien and had been briefly alluded to in the original. On board for the ride are Mary Elizabeth Winstead ("Death Proof," "Scott Pilgrim vs. The World") as Kate Lloyd, a pretty but tough American archeologist, and Joel Edgerton ("Warrior," "Star Wars Episodes II and III") as Sam Carter, a wise-cracking helicopter pilot.
Winstead is no Russell, but does a pretty good job nonetheless. In an era where most horror movie female protagonists are either killed off early or used simply as eye candy, Winstead holds her own in the male-dominated outpost, channeling a young Sigourney Weaver from her "Alien"days.
Also with a good performance is rising Australian star Edgerton, who fills in Russell's shoes for the film. Fresh off a memorable role in the recent MMA movie "Warrior,"Edgerton trades grappling gloves for a flamethrower as the rugged pilot. Keep an eye out for Edgerton, who is just beginning to become known to American audiences.
Like most action/horror movies today, "The Thing" is guilty of using far too much computer generated imagery. Sure, it works for films like "Transformers," but what made the 1982 version unique and scary was the fact that all practical effects were used. I don't mind CGI when it's used well, and some of the graphics are very cool, but some scenes make "The Thing" looks like something dragged out of a Sci-Fi channel movie. Some of the dialogue is a tad mediocre as well, but coming from the team that penned the "Nightmare on Elm Street" remake and "Final Destination 5,"that comes as no surprise.
That being said, first-time director Matthjis Van Heijningen Jr. really did his homework when it came to the original film. Van Heijningen, a huge fan of the original, makes sure that the audience knew that this is a prequel and not a remake, which we've seen far too many of over the past few years. Something as small as an axe in a door is accounted for and the ending merges perfectly with the start of the Carpenter film. If you're looking for a scary movie in theaters this Halloween season, simply put, there's no better option than "The Thing."
Rating: 3 out of 4 stars.
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