The Thing

release year: 1982
genre: horror/sci-fi
viewing setting: home DVD, 10/31/04

synopsis: The crew of a remote Antarctic ice station encounters a dangerous alien that can assume the shape and appearance of any living thing it comes in contact with.

impressions: Sounds simple, doesn't it? Well, it's not. When you know there's an alien in your midst, and it could be any of your buddies, what the hell do you do? That's really the question posed here. Of course, they spend half the movie figuring out what's going on, and then they have to figure out what to do. Meanwhile, the thing picks them off, one by one. John Carpenter made very effective use of shadows, fade-outs, and slow, creepy music to heighten the tension. Additionally, there are some outstanding gore/monster effects and scenes by Rick Baker. This is an underrated movie, and a great one.

things to watch for: I'd say the blood test sequence.

something this movie has that no other movie has: A severed head that sprouts tentacles and spider-legs before scuttling around.

acting: Kurt Russell, barely recognizable with a full beard, is the main protagonist. The various others (including Wilford Brimley, Keith David, and Donald Moffat) do a great job too, portraying a bunch of grunts who are in big trouble and know it.

final word: Very suspenseful horror/sci-fi, well worth seeing.

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