The Thing (1982) Review

The Thing

Release Date: 20th August 1982 - Australia


Production Companies
Universal Pictures
Turman-Foster Company

Distribution
Universal Pictures Australia

Genre: Sci-Fi/Horror

Rating: MA15+ (Not Suitable

for Young Children)

Runtime: 109 minutes


Budget: $15,000,000

Box Office Gross: $20,630,135 (Worldwide)


Plot Summary

In a research outpost stationed in the Antarctic region, twelve men uncovered an extraterrestrial life form that came out as frozen in 100,000 years. After being thawed out by the researchers, the creature shapeshifts and begins terrorising the station.

Cast

Kurt Russell - R.J. MacReady

Wilford Brimley - Dr. Blair

Keith David - Childs
Donald Moffat - Gary
T. K. Carter - Nauls
Richard Masur - Clark
David Clennon - Palmer
Charles Hallahan - Vance Norris
Richard Dysart - Dr. Cooper
Peter Maloney - George Bennings
Joel Polis - Fuchs
Thomas G. Waites - Windows

Norbert Wessier - Norwegian

Larry Franco - Norwegian Passenger with Rifle (Cameo)

Nate Irwin - Helicopter Pilot

William Zeman - Pilot

Crew

Director - John Carpenter
Based on the Story "Who Goes There?" - John W. Campbell, Jr.

Screenplay - Bill Lancaster
Associate Producer/First Assistant Director - Larry Franco
Executive Producer - Wilbur Stark
Co-Producer - Stuart Cohen

Producers - David Foster and Lawrence Turman

Production Designer - John J. Lloyd

Art Director - Henry Larrecq
Set Decorator - John M. Dwyer
Special Makeup Effects
Creator and Designer - Rob Bottin

Special Makeup Effects Coordinator - Ken Diaz
Additional Makeup Effects - Stan Winston

(Uncredited)

Makeup Artist - Ken Chase
Director of Photography - Dean Cundey

Camera Operator - Raymond Stella

First Assistant Cameraman - Clyde E. Bryan

Production Manager - Robert Latham Brown

Second Assistant Director - Jeffrey Chernov

Stunt Coordinator - Dick Warlock

Animal Trainer - Bob Weatherwax
Special Effects - Roy Arbogast

Special Visual Effects - Albert Whitlock

Matte Photography - Bill Taylor
Visual Effects Designer: Main Title Sequence,

VCE - Peter Kuran
Miniature Supervisor: Main Title Sequence,

VCE - Susan Turner
Dimension Animation Effects Creator: Animation
Effects Sequence - Randall William Cook

Editor - Todd C. Ramsay
Special Sound Effects - Alan Howarth

(Uncredited)

Supervising Sound Editors - Colin C. Mouat

and David Lewis Yewdall

Sound Re-Recordists - Gregg Landaker,

Bill Varney and Steve Maslow

Music - Ennio Morricone

Review

1982 was the best year for movies despite some underperforming at the box office caused by heavy competition from E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial, which won the world over these films. It had happened to two of the other landmark films from the science fiction genre, which opened on the same day. The first movie is Blade Runner, which has since gone on to have a cult following and ended up widely regarded as one of the best films by director Ridley Scott. The other movie is the 1982 interpretation of THE THING, which, at the time, was unsuccessful and only gained recognition in later years. I have heard the name John Carpenter elsewhere, as I've only seen one feature from the director but not seen any others, such as THE THING of its definitive version.

For a science-fiction horror movie, not bad and not great. I can't expect the 1982 version to have its scare factor, so it has to put chills into our spines by reflecting the mood of claustrophobia. Considering that this film remade the 1951 sci-fi classic The Thing From Another World, which presents as a loose adaption of the novel, Carpenter can pull it off with his skills as a first-rate director, having the film shown with splatter and without boredom.

THE THING gets layered with the brilliant makeup imagery that spurted the gruesomeness and frights that were a benchmark for practical effects in its time. The acting is spellbinding as Kurt Russell starkly portrays a good character, revealing a cynical edge. It helped make him a big star, which he continued to be through the 80s and the 90s.

Many people consider the 1982 interpretation of THE THING to be one of the greatest horror movies ever rediscovered. On the other hand, I have a different opinion on this nightmarish classic. I did enjoy it in good taste.

Star rating: (7/10) Good Movie

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