The Basics
At a remote Norwegian Research Facility in Antarctica, paleontology graduate Kate Lloyd arrives to assist Dr. Sander Halvorson with the excavation of what appears to be an alien life form frozen deep within the centuries old Antarctic ice. But when the creature reawakens from its hibernation and people begin to disappear, Kate discovers the horrifying truth: that the alien can perfectly mimic anything or anyone that it consumes. Now trapped in the most desolate, unforgiving region on Earth, Kate and pilot Braxton Carter desperately seek a way to destroy the beast before it escapes to the populated world. But as fear, paranoia, and the frigid cold begin to set in, normal people begin to turn on one another as it becomes increasingly impossible to distinguish who is human and who is The Thing.
Cast: Mary Elizabeth Winstead, Joel Edgerton, Ulrich Thomsen, Eric Christian Olsen
Directed by: Matthijs van Heijningen Jr.
Written by: Eric Heisserer, John W. Campbell Jr.
The Good
Though it wasn't a smash hit when it first hit theaters in 1982, thanks largely in part to everyone's favorite home-seeking alien E.T. stealing the show, but horror legend John Carpenter's The Thing found life after theaters and has since become one of the best regarded horror films of all time, critically and commercially, a cult smash that has now inspired one of the best prequels to a film I have ever seen.
What will strike any fan of the first film is the remarkable dedication of its director, Matthijs van Heijningen Jr. in this his first feature film. Heijningen's unflinching resolve to stay true to the scant details witnessed in the first film pays off, as fans will received long awaited answers to exactly what happened at the Norwegian base before The Thing made its way to the Americans in Carpenters film.
And even though audiences will know the ultimate end to the story, the film is no less completely engaging, expanding brilliantly on the environments and character archetypes created in the first film. Despite its fresh and new feeling, there is an eerie, almost haunting familiarity achieved that will excite and enthrall moviegoers.
What pays off gloriously is the visuals and sound of the entire film. Like recreating a perfect experiment, the crew brings nothing new that could dilute or corrupt the previous entry. The terrifying sounds utilized in the first film are brought back in all their chilling glory, every skittering, chittering, mewl and howl resonate in the hollows of memory as the original fear slowly permeates the theater. Visually, the crew paid homage and respect by utilizing practical effects wherever possible and CGI only when absolutely necessary and even then the lighting is brilliantly administered to cover up that CGI, giving us only minute details as to the creature itself, refusing to allow the computer generated effects to speak for the horror.
The ensemble cast also deserves mention for their outstanding creation of a melting pot of cultures and professional mindsets. In this, The Thing does one thing that Carpenter himself was not truly able to achieve in the first go-round.
The actors do a phenomenal job of building the paranoia and fear that culminates within the group, playing off the psychological aspects far better than their 1982 counterparts. While this is still a group of scientists, pilots, and regular blue-collar workers (all perfectly habituated in their portrayals), the mindsets of each character are truly explored as their terror begins to rise.
The Bad
While strong as a whole, there were a few points in the film that detracted from the overall experience. For one, the introduction of a strong female lead was a decision that I agreed with, but its the solo performances of Mary Elizabeth Winstead that seem to droop at times. From interviews we learn Ms. Winstead attempted valiantly to take inspiration from Sigourney Weaver's Ellen Ripley, but unfortunately, she lacks the noted physical definitions that express age, wisdom, and physical strength that Ms. Weaver used to define the role of Ripley. Ms. Winstead instead comes off as a sort of duck-out-of-water, reacting to her surroundings in a near state of panic instead of relying upon inner strength to ascertain plans and a means for survival. While aspects of this performance may be intentional, it subtly detracts from the whole as there is no centering character of strength to focus the group.
Also, it was almost too much of a revelation to see the innerworkings of the alien craft. It would seem that this was the greatest point that Matthijs was attempting to avoid, that overuse of CGI would detract from the film, and he was correct to avoid it as much as possible. But the ship and the events that take place evoke a feeling of action films like Predator and Aliens instead of focusing on the tale at hand. Fortunately, this only occurs at the end and does not last so long as to hurt the entire film and it does supply some answers to long-held questions. Nonetheless, it is a bit much and some fans may be put off by the jarring shift in tone.
The Scorecard
Acting- As in the Carpenter film, the acting as an ensemble is very strong. Varying personality types all reign here to create a perfect melting pot of paranoia and fear that ultimately sets a fantastic foundation for the film.
Directing- Heijningen Jr. does a remarkable job of remaining 100% faithful to its horror predecessor all the while creating a cinematic environment that feels fresh and new.
Writing- Maintaining the faithfulness of the time-period, the writing is strong and never overwrought. The characters are intelligent and strong-willed, but not unflappable or impervious to their baser instincts.
Sound- Beautifully rendered and mixed, all the horror of the creature that chilled and thrilled in 1982 has returned. Heijningen Jr. was correct to not alter any of the original sounds effects and they transfer perfectly.
Visuals- Intelligent and wonderfully nostalgic. The stark locale and wide vista shots feel like an expansion on the first film and the creature, thanks to the dedication to practical effects, is as terrifying and horrific as it always was. And in higher definition.
Overall
The Thing gets an 8.5 out of 10.
-Jarod
