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The Thing
Rated R · 103 minutes · 2011
Horror, Science fiction, Thriller
Horror, Science fiction, Thriller
The latest adaptation of The Thing has its share of good scares and decent-enough performances—but the film spazzes out toward the end, resulting in an admirable yet disposable experience. This film tells the story of what happened to those Norwegians who showed up at the beginning of John Carpenter’s 1982 film, and that’s a cool premise. After that, the film simply tries to copy the look and tone of Carpenter’s movie—and nobody on this Earth should even attempt such a thing. Mary Elizabeth Winstead plays an American scientist who is hanging with the Norwegians. She winds up brandishing a flamethrower in order to fight off the thing from another planet that absorbs animals and copies them. While Carpenter’s original had groundbreaking practical effects, this one settles for mediocre CGI.
Horror in the Ice
Making 'The Thing' a prequel to the '82 film was a brilliant idea—but the execution isn't so great »
Official Site: www.thethingmovie.net
Director: Matthijs van Heijningen
Producer: Marc Abraham, Eric Newman, J. Miles Dale, David Foster, Lawrence Turman and Gabrielle Neimand
Cast: Mary Winstead, Joel Edgerton, Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje, Trond Seim, Ulrich Thomsen, Eric Olsen, Jorgen Langhelle, Jan Roise, Stig Henrik Hoff, Kristofer Hivju, Paul Braunstein, Kim Bubbs, Jonathan Walker, Jo Haavind and Carsten Bjornlund
Director: Matthijs van Heijningen
Producer: Marc Abraham, Eric Newman, J. Miles Dale, David Foster, Lawrence Turman and Gabrielle Neimand
Cast: Mary Winstead, Joel Edgerton, Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje, Trond Seim, Ulrich Thomsen, Eric Olsen, Jorgen Langhelle, Jan Roise, Stig Henrik Hoff, Kristofer Hivju, Paul Braunstein, Kim Bubbs, Jonathan Walker, Jo Haavind and Carsten Bjornlund
What others are saying (10)
Colorado Springs Independent
Opening this week
The Big Year, Footloose and other film events around town.
10/13/2011
Opening this week
The Big Year, Footloose and other film events around town.
10/13/2011
Portland Mercury
Imitation Cheese
The Thing: Matthijs van Heijningen Jr. is no John Carpenter.
by Erik Henriksen
10/13/2011
7 more reviews...
Imitation Cheese
The Thing: Matthijs van Heijningen Jr. is no John Carpenter.
by Erik Henriksen
10/13/2011
Colorado Springs Independent
Cold dead hands: The Thing
There's no mystery in The Thing. Even the guessing game of who is and isn't human is lackluster.
by Anders Wright
10/13/2011
Cold dead hands: The Thing
There's no mystery in The Thing. Even the guessing game of who is and isn't human is lackluster.
by Anders Wright
10/13/2011
Boise Weekly
The Projector: Movies opening on Oct. 14
Steve Martin, Jack Black and Owen Wilson search for rare birds, Kenny Wormald searches for freedom to cut loose, Vera Farmiga soul-searches for her faith, Ludivine Sagnier searches for success by way of an unscrupulous mentor in Kristin Scott Thomas and The Thing searches for host bodies. It's all at the movies.
by Garrett Horstmeyer
10/14/2011
The Projector: Movies opening on Oct. 14
Steve Martin, Jack Black and Owen Wilson search for rare birds, Kenny Wormald searches for freedom to cut loose, Vera Farmiga soul-searches for her faith, Ludivine Sagnier searches for success by way of an unscrupulous mentor in Kristin Scott Thomas and The Thing searches for host bodies. It's all at the movies.
by Garrett Horstmeyer
10/14/2011
The Coast Halifax
Not The Thing of beauty
Horror prequel plays it too obvious, lacks mystery
by Matthew Ritchie
10/16/2011
Not The Thing of beauty
Horror prequel plays it too obvious, lacks mystery
by Matthew Ritchie
10/16/2011
Chicago Reader
Every day is Halloween
The surprising influence of John Carpenter's film scores from the 70s and 80s on current electronic dance music
by Miles Raymer
08/08/2012
Every day is Halloween
The surprising influence of John Carpenter's film scores from the 70s and 80s on current electronic dance music
by Miles Raymer
08/08/2012
Arkansas Times
'The Thing': a serviceable homage
Prequel builds upon plot of original cult classic.
by Sam Eifling
10/19/2011
'The Thing': a serviceable homage
Prequel builds upon plot of original cult classic.
by Sam Eifling
10/19/2011
Creative Loafing Atlanta
Hollywood Product: The Thing
Prequel replicates DNA of John Carpenter's original
by Curt Holman
10/14/2011
Hollywood Product: The Thing
Prequel replicates DNA of John Carpenter's original
by Curt Holman
10/14/2011
NUVO
Ed reviews 'The Thing'
If you haven't seen the other versions of this sci-fi thriller, do yourself a favor and check those out instead of this dreck.
by Ed Johnson-Ott
10/14/2011
Ed reviews 'The Thing'
If you haven't seen the other versions of this sci-fi thriller, do yourself a favor and check those out instead of this dreck.
by Ed Johnson-Ott
10/14/2011
