One of John Carpenter's best films.

Rating: 9/10 (16 February 2006)

In the winter of 1982 of Antarctic. Twelve Men (Kurt Russell, Wilford Brimley, Keith David, Donald Moffat, T.K. Carter, David Clennon, Thomas G. Waites, Richard Masur, Charles Hallahan, Richard A. Dysart, Joel Polis and Peter Maloney) are living together in a research scientific encampment. An creature from Outer Space has been awakening from more than 10,000 years from another camp. Now the creature is killing one by one... killing off its inhabitants.
Directed by John Carpenter (Big Trouble in Little China, Ghosts of Mars, Village of the Damned-1995) made an strong terrific horror/suspenseful/sci-fi/thriller. When this film was released in 1982, it was an box office disappointment. But this film went on to be an cult favorite on video and television.
The original 1998 DVD has an strong non-anamorphic widescreen (2.35:1) transfer and an excellent digitally remastered-Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround Sound. DVD also has an amusing commentary track by the director and actor:Russell. DVD also has an entertaining documentary with the cast & crew, outtakes, original theatrical trailer and more.
The new DVD from 2004 does have an anamorphic widescreen transfer and the same DVD extras expect the isolated film score by Ennio Morricone (Which it was oddly placed in the documentary instead of the film in the original DVD). One of the highlights of the film is the horrific and excellent make-up creature effects by Oscar-Winner:Rob Bottin (The Howling, Legend, Total Recall). The Thing is the first Apocalypse film by Carpenter. Which his two another apocalyptic films are "Prince of Darkness" and "In the Mouth of Madness". Certainly one of the director's best work. Panavision. (**** ½/*****).