12 Snowmen of the Apocalypse

Rating: Null/10 (19 October 2003)

Spoilers exist.
The Thing is a modification of ALIEN. Not a clone, not a rip-off, but a modification. James Cameron obviously took a lot of elements from this movie, both obvious and subtle for Terminator 2, The Abyss, and Aliens. The characterizations are very Cameron-esque and the consistent use of props to advance the plot are extremely similar. Horror, like action, is frequently about repeating the same core three or four elements...which The Thing does in great profundity. Traces are evident from The Andromeda Strain, THEM!, 2001, and The Shining. Unfortunately, the story--necessary in a film of this caliber--is more a prop to showcase Rob Bottin's wicked creations.
If there are four levels of horror in the genre, with level one being ingenious, then The Thing probably is the best of level three. There are many positive aspects to it, but so many times the story is hurt by useless cliches such as "Guy runs off alone without telling anyone else what he's doing". These are minor qualms, as are my thoughts concerning the variety and quantity of weapons at the research station. The Thing is, more or less, a condensed version of ALIENS.
This is Carpenter's best movie. He alienates the camera from the characters. Watch the blood discovery scene, how many viewpoints and perspectives are taken into account. Some other group scenes like the many "fireplace" moments aren't as adaptive. There are the usual story deficiencies and lack of sophistication (Kurt Russell the anti-hero again, who'd have guessed?), but this time there is no budget hampering like in The Fog and They Live. Another minor qualm is why did Ennio Morricone do the music? Carpenter could've done it himself, it sounds like his usual work. Maybe The Thing is too slick for its own good. Many themes are used, none to their full potential, but all are subsequently more useful than the slasher icon of Halloween. Isolation, Paranoia, Trust, and the usual crackpot biology that requires just a little research to find the holes in it.
Is stop-motion's future in horror films? Between Carpenter, Raimi, and Burton I thought there'd be a rebirth in the technique. So far Chicken Run hasn't sparked any renewed interest...
Overall, could've used more depth. My last qualm is The Thing uses the two stereotypes for blacks, jive loudmouth and tough boss. The ending, IMHO, is anti-crowd-pleasing and a radical departure from the mainstream. Kudos. (67%)