Superior sci-fi/horror = Carpenter's best work

Rating: Null/10 (11 March 2002)

"The Thing" is an intensely paranoid sci-fi/horror flick. In the Antarctic a group of researchers must face off a stranded alien which has the ability to pose as a human. They trouble is they don't know who is the alien, and who is still human...
"The Thing" is done very well. There's a great desolate feeling to the Antarctic wastes - ably captured by John Carpenter's wide opening shots of the glacial landscape. The actual bases is given a nice claustrophobic feel too - no room is very large, and when there's a crowd of people there the screen reflects the intense pressure. The plot isn't really there, but that's okay next to the creepy on-edge factor you're given as you wonder who is the alien currently (I certainly jumped a fair few times in the movie). Indeed the plot centres around one person-being-revealed, and then the team of men shrinking and wondering who is next. The moments of terror are helped by lashings of gore but gore that actually disturbs, being so visceral and alien, as opposed to being laughable. The Thing is a great little creature and some neat effects are used in its creation.
The acting is perfunctory, as you'd expect. Kurt Russell's character, the pilot who is the star, is played with a little edge so that he isn't the all round nice guy but someone willing to kill off anyone to ensure he survives. This leads up to a great little ending which leaves with a question mark that - thankfully - wasn't cashed in upon with a tepid sequel.
"The Thing" is great gory sci-fi horror. It's deliciously paranoid and can genuinely make you jump, as well let your stomach churn. It's not up to the pinnacle of the hybrid genre - the Aliens series - but it stands head and shoulders above most efforts. 8/10.