John Carpenter's THE THING is one of my favorite John Carpenter films.  It was back in the day where Carpenter and actor Kurt Russell were a great team who got together to make three great movies, a lackluster sequel, and a made-for-TV Elvis film.   THE THING was during their great time working together.  THE THING was clobbered and forgotten by movie viewers who flocked to other films like E.T. and STAR TREK 2: THE WRATH OF KHAN in the summer of 1982.  The film was a cult classic and in the top 5 of the best films that John Carpenter ever directed.   It was a mix of sci-fi, horror, paranoia, and isolation in one of the most hostile environments known to man- Antarctica.

 

The prequel takes place three days before the start of John Carpenter's film as it follows what happens to the people at the Norwegian camp as they are the first uncover the alien spaceship and have the misfortune to be the ones to uncover the alien which can mimic other life forms (and hide inside them).   The discovery leads to a battle between the ego of Dr. Halvorson and graduate student Kate Lloyd as soon the camp is turn upside down by the thing that soon escapes from the ice.  Kate knows what is going on as everyone is determined to not listen even when people start getting killed and absorbed by the alien who wants to survive and get out.

 

The 2011 prequel is a prequel which is very faithful to John carpenter's film while sometimes coming off as being a remake by following the plot of Carpenter's film too closely in many parts.   The acting is top notch and the film creates it's own isolated sense of paranoia even though it isn't pulled off as well as John Carpenter and Bill Lancaster.    Still it doesn't fail as a prequel and fans of Carpenter's film should see it.   The prequel is able to put it's own spin on things that happen in carpenter's film while connecting the film into John Carpenter's classic and foreshadowing events throughout the story.   The prequel does leave some threads open to explore what happens to one character at the end.  Don't leave too soon during the end credits as a scene is shown that connects it into the John Carpenter film.  Remember it's a prequel and not a remake.

 

SPECIAL FEATURES:

7 deleted and extended scenes show stuff that was cut for pacing while a couple of scenes would have fit in the final film while the final deleted scenes show the full ending shown during the end credits in the film.

 

THE THING EVOLVES- a promotional featurette about the making of the prequel.

FIRE & ICE-  a short featurette on the fire effect stunts as they show all flame throwers in the movie are remote controlled.

 

Also included is a feature audio commentary with Director Mathijs van Heiningen and Producer Eric Newman.   They reflect near the end of the commentary on some of the events after the end of the film and what could be going on while the John Carpenter film's story is playing out.

 

FINAL ANALYSIS:  THE THING prequel is a good companion piece that acts as a prequel and remake (at times).   I think the film is better with repeat viewings.  Now I must go track down a copy fo John Carpenter's THE THING to watch.

 

This DVD review is (c)2-3-2012 David Blackwell and cannot be reprinted without permission.  send all comments to feedback@enterline-media.com