Through The Rear Window: MOVIE REVIEW ... THE THING

Sunday, October 16, 2011

MOVIE REVIEW ... THE THING

It’s ironic the latest version of The Thing deals with a creature mimicking its prey as it copies what has gone before. A prequel to John Carpenter’s 1982 hit which itself was based on a 1951 movie. This new entity tries to emulate the genuine dread Carpenter successfully created. For the most part it hits the target even if its originality is as frozen as the snowy climes in which the characters reside.

Kate Lloyd (Mary Elizabeth Winstead) is hired by a scientific expedition in Antarctica. Her task is to examine a crashed spaceship occupied by a supposedly deceased alien. Thinking it is frozen in ice the crew take it back to their base for examination. When it melts the true terror begins as it kills the crew one by one. With the help of pilot Carter (Joel Edgerton), Kate tries to kill the creature before it wreaks further deadly havoc.

Derived from John W. Campbell Jnr’s novel ‘Who Goes There?’ it’s easy seeing why The Thing’s story has proven so popular. Initially trading on the Cold War motif with paranoia and fear at every turn, subsequent versions have enhanced its Agatha Christie-style element. More ‘who-is-it’ than ‘who-dunnit’, this rendition, as well as Carpenter’s, used this strand for maximum thrills. Both have taken the source work seriously even if the 1982 take is still the better piece.

Whilst it slots in quite well with the previous movie, The Thing would have been better had it been allowed to weave is own style. It spends far too much time looking over its shoulder to what has gone before and could have benefitted from a fresh approach. There are some fine suspenseful moments however with amazing CGI and superb cinematography elevating it. The strong acting and direction is of a high standard as well even if viewers of Carpenter’s adaptation will have a great feeling of déjà vu.

The Thing is a competent movie delivering the requisite shocks. Not particularly adding anything new it nevertheless provides an adequate compliment to a series outlasting its ‘reds under the beds’ inspired hysteria.