Boy did this one scare the pants off of me!

Rating: Null/10 (15 September 2003)

I saw this movie for the first time when I was about seven years old and I don't think I slept a wink that night. Twenty years later, every time I watch this picture I feel like a seven year old again, and I don't scare easily. In fact, of the hundreds of horror films I have spent my life watching and dissecting, there are only a handful of films that truly terrified me, and John Carpenter's The Thing is at the very top of that elite list. But what is it that makes this movie so scary? The first element is the score. For some reason, JC's synth score really gets to me. I can't explain it but it really makes this movie seem extra creepy. In fact, I have the score on CD and even if I pop it in during the day, I can't help but get chills as it reminds me of a number of suspenseful scenes. Next is the special effects. Rob Bottin's work is absolutely amazing...hands down the best I have ever seen without the aid of computer generated graphics! The amazing thing is that the effects still hold up today against the CGI films. He really makes the monster come to life, a pure genius. Now, even though the score is eerie and the effects are off the charts, the real magic of this movie is the feeling of isolation and helplessness that Carpenter creates. Imagine, being trapped at an Antarctic research station with 11 other men, one or more of whom are "infected" with and alien monster and you can't contact the rest of the world. You can't tell by looking at each other as the monster imitates its victims permanently...until it gets you alone...finally revealing its true gruesome identity. But how do you know who are your friends...and who is "the thing?" This premise is what sets the tone for an edge-of-your seat game of: who do you trust and who do you fear? This movie is best enjoyed by yourself, during a thunderstom, with no lights on. Enjoy it, if you can.