Really good

Rating: Null/10 (27 December 2002)

My attention was brought to this film, by the game that was released earlier this year, as in a review of the game (also named The Thing) it said the game picked up where the film left off. So after playing the game (which I enjoyed) I asked for the film on DVD for Christmas. So, two days ago, I received it. And last night I watched it.
It was very good. I really enjoyed it, sadly, however, my knowledge of the game meant that I already knew what it was about and what happened in the end. But apart from that.
Special note to the start. Very spooky, eerie opening. Just 4 sounds for about 4 minutes. The sounds of: the helicopter, the gun, the running dog and the "Boom Boom Boom" of the music, really sets the tone for the rest of the film. Up there with my favourite openings to films (including Apocalypse Now).
A very nice, slow starting 30 minutes. Just showing the characters, and the quiet threat that the huskie represented. Then, from there, apart from a few short 5 min gaps. It's all gore, which is what we expect from the man who made Halloween.
What else, the setting, good choice. The vast, snowy wastes of antarctica. I think that had this film been made today, it would have been set in a city, which would have been a mistake. As setting it in Antarctica meant two things. 1: The Thing had nowhere to hide. 2: The men had nowhere to run. Meaning it had to be destroyed. It also allowed for some very nice long shots of the buildings and vehicles contrasting against the nice, white snow.
Some chillingly realistic FX in this. *SPOILER* When the things head comes off, watching the neck stretch and tear did make my stomach turn. *END SPOILER* This film is now among two (alongside 2001) that have made me realise that computer-generated monsters and props aren't always needed to make something believable.
And finally, a horror film without a woman to hold it up. No offense to the ladies out there. But when a female is in a horror film, it's usually for a love interest, which means scenes that stop the pace of the whole picture, removing your interest and making you impatient. Nice then, that this was a welcome relief from the old cliché.
The ending was good, *SPOILER* A nice little exchange of dialogue showing that (in my opinion anyway) how they could be things and not know it, that the thing was maybe biding it's time, remaining dormant inside of them.*END SPOILER* Disagree if you want. Still a very good film that I would even recommend to random people in the street.
9/10