Plot: What’s it about?
The thing about the thing is itÆs GREAT! Simply great!
It gives remakes a good name…it gives John Carpenter a good name.
And these last statements arenÆt always true.
Remakes think: “The Jackal”
John Carpenter think: “Prince of Darkness”, think “Vampires”.
There are equally bad examples in both categories but I have repressed them from my memory.
It is truly rare to see a film this brilliant and this much fun. ItÆs a terrifying horror film and itÆs fun. The THING about purchasing DVDs is you really want and need repeat viewability. This film is the “Ferris Bueller” of horror films. Each time you watch it you will be afraid AND you will laugh. Each time you watch it you will laugh even more as you recall how many recent films have tried to badly copy every element of this film [“Screamers”, “The Faculty” and many, many more].
So here is the plot: a group of scientists stationed on a remote and VERY cold base in Alaska stumble on a buried space ship. And they let something loose…and itÆs a THING! ItÆs a BAD thing! IÆd describe what it looks like but when you see the movie youÆll understand why that is almost logically impossible.
The effects [particularly for 1982] are highly effective, and gross and scary.
This film has the funniest and second most shocking [first place award still goes to “Re-animator”] severed head scene is film history. And the acting [all around] headed by Kurt Russell is top notch.
You will begin to question your friends after this one.
IÆd tell you more, but that would ruin the surprises. But the moral is leave those space ships alone and treasure situations of trust and identity whenever you can nail them down. And be very, very wary of your dog.
Video: How does it look?
ItÆs a gorgeous film…and it is widescreen…but I long for an anamorphically enhanced version. It looks real good but with the enhancement this could be a monstrous poster child to showcase the sound and video of your system. And unlike “Lost in Space” itÆs a great movie too.
Audio: How does it sound?
Excellent. The score by Ennio Morricone is highly effective and the delivery on the disc carries its haunting intent into your living room. I wonder why Carpenter didnÆt do his own music [as he often does like in “Halloween”] but I canÆt question his judgement in this flawless final film.
Supplements: What are the extras?
IÆd like to use the phrase “monstrously enhanced with features” but that would be corny and this thing isnÆt quite that enhanced. But it does have a very good set of features including a handful of deleted scenes and other THINGS an interesting glimpse and a different critical sequence at the end that was left out because it looked just plain silly. The THING is it was a good omission. As always, I am delighted by the humor and insight in a commentary and the Russel/Carpenter commentary here is quite good.
So apart from a longing for all things anamorphic, this THING is a must buy! But be afraid…but not afraid to have fun and to laugh at the oddest times.
This THING is dreadfully good.
