Lacks the creepiness of the 1951 version but nevertheless it's a fantastic visual ride

Rating: Null/10 (18 February 2002)

The staff of an Antarctic research post discover that an extraterrestrial is around that can replicate any living thing. It's powers are extraordinary and the staff find themselves in a fight for survival.
This remake of the classic Howard Hawks film `The Thing From Another World' takes the guts of that story - improves some things but loses others. Obviously the film greatly improves the special effects and frights provided by James Arness in 1951, however it does so at the loss of some of the suspense of the original. This still has a great feeling of paranoia about it that filters through everything. The story is basic but it has plenty of chills at the start, but once the effects start we see everything and it's more gross than chilling.
That's not to say the effects aren't good. They still look good now - despite being 20 years old! It's telling of how much work went into this to reflect that effects wizard Rob Bottin was checked into hospital with exhaustion once the movie was finished.
The cast are all pretty good. Russell is a good lead, although this is more of an ensemble piece than a star vehicle. The cast are gradually whittled down until they reach the ending that is not only downbeat but subtle and intelligent. It's flawed if you think about it too much but it works really well after so much gore.
Overall it'll never have the classic status of the original but it is definitely a good example of a modern sci-fi that is almost as good as Alien in terms of atmosphere and thrills.