Classic Sci-Fi

Rating: 8/10 (6 July 2008)

As Children both Director John Carpenter and co-producer Stuart Cohen saw the 1952 production of "The Thing from another world" directed by Howard Hawks, which was based on the 1938 novel "Who goes there". In 1976 Stuart Cohen decided to remake the film. It is believed that it inspired the making of the 1956 and 1978 "Invasion of the Body Snatchers " and 1979 "The Alien" as well as the 1981 "The thing" . Since that time a whole plethora of Science Fiction horror films have been spawned using the same theme. Al;though initially a box office failure it became a cult classic and subsequently evergreen profit maker.
Since many great reviews have already be made of this classic film I merely endorsing all reviews and fans of this great classic Science fiction film.
The film begins with a Helicopter chase of a lone dog in the Arctic winter near a scientific research station "No 31". The crew at "31" witness the crash of the Helicopter and adopt the dog. They investigate and find a strangely mutilated body and another base nearby.
Gradually the "31" crew lead by R' J. McReady played by Kurt Russel discover the dog is infected with some strange alien virus that attacks its host and then transforms itself into a copy of the victim. This film effects were almost unique for the time as there was no CGI both Albert Whitlock with special photography effects Rob Bottin ( The Howling) creates the make up a plausible and terrifying Alien creature. Even the the alien form is revealed early on the suspense of the film is maintained as the "31" crew become confused as to is infected amongst them.
I strongly recommend this classic sci fi horror flick to all fans of the genre.