Amazon.co.uk Review
John Carpenter's apocalyptic The Thing was released in cinemas just two weeks after E.T. in 1982. The two movies could hardly have presented more contrasting ideas about extra-terrestrial life, and it was Carpenter's uncompromisingly bleak vision that lost out at the box-office. But his audacious remake of the Howard Hawks 1951 B-movie The Thing from Another World has since been acknowledged as a classic in its own right, not only for its pioneering makeup and special effects techniques, but also for its bold treatment of an alien "infection" that eerily foreshadow s AIDS-inspired blood contamination scares. Whizzkid Rob Bottin was responsible for the surreal and stomach-churning make-up effects that are so crucial a part of the film's success--without his utterly convincing creations Carpenter would never have been able to make a monster movie without a "man in a suit"--and filming on a glacier in British Columbia ensured the complete authenticity of the Antarctic setting. Kurt Russell leads a strong all-male cast who powerfully convey their isolation and distrust of one another--in more ways than one this is a film about alienation. The uneasy atmosphere is enhanced by an icily monochrome score from Ennio Morricone, as a series of unforgettable horror set-pieces lead to a wonderfully downbeat finale.
On the DVD:: The bonus features are exemplary, notably the excellent 80-minute documentary, "Terror Takes Shape", which covers all aspects of the production; and the relaxed, friendly, informative commentary by director John Carpenter and star Kurt Russell--a model for how all commentaries should be. There's also an outtakes reel with some tantalising stills of unused footage. Text and stills-based montages illustrate the location design, conceptual artwork and various other aspects of the production. The sound mix is Dolby 5.1, although the non-anamorphic widescreen picture is not all it could be. --Mark Walker
Customer Reviews:
Great down beat finale.......2008-03-11
Director John Carpenter and special makeup effects master Rob Bottin teamed up for this 1982 remake of the 1951 science fiction classic The Thing from Another World, and the result is one of the best movies of the 1980's. No doubt about that.
"The Thing" has a wonderful atmosphere right from the beginning, when the director establishes the vast isolation of Antarctica with some stunning shots. From there, he draws closer and closer in, with some actual horror mixed with well-done suspense (highlight = a dog that splits open and blossoms into something gruesome). An added bonus: the glimpse at the technology of yesteryear, especially the computers and boomboxes. All the actors are well-chosen and create defineable characters and the fate of each comes as something of a shock. Carpenter even preserves the original opening of the movie he's remaking. Unfortunately, lately, I have to say he's rather lost his touch.
PS. the sound track is excellent.
John Carpenter at his best!.......2008-01-03
Classic horror from one of the masters with some of the best special effects I've seen in an early 80's film - not one to watch if you're squeamish!!
The plot focuses on an antartic outpost where a group of researchers are isoloated and alone, it brings together science (blood infection) and science-fiction (aliens that can take on the appearance of humans) and adds a big dose of psychological suspense.
Definately one for horror fans to add to their collection.
The Thing.......2007-12-11
This movie has just got to be one of the best horror flicks ever. Forget Nightmare on Elm St, and other such modern horrors, The Thing (1982) is the real deal. John Carpeneter worked miracles with the effects, and the story line is fab. Some classic (and hilarious) one liners as the crew begin to doubt each other as suspicions rise and they don't know who The Thing has infected. Brilliant acting. I guess you would be slightly paranoid in that situation! However, the movie is a little slow to start, but pay attention, as it gives you the background on how The Thing came to be there. Stick with the first 20 minutes or so, and be prepared to see a classic horror that has everything. This is just a great film full stop. Old school lives on!
Ground breaking suspenseful horror.......2007-10-05
I'm not usually a horror fan but with The Thing I'll make an exception. It's one of those movies that actually fully deserves the 'classic' tag.
As many reviewers have said the effects are wonderful, hugely imaginative and stomach churning, but what's great and so different than many other movies is that it doesn't detract from the story and the characters.
There's a real sense of forboding in the isolated artic setting once the alien life form arrives in camp. Kurt Russell heads a strong all male cast who must battle the paranoia of who can and can't be trusted.
The brooding minimalist score simply adds to this highly suspenseful story that should be part of your dvd collection!
N-ICE ONE.......2007-10-01
A team of polar scientists become infected by an alien organism, unearthed from a frozen spaceship by a group of Danish scientists (who meet a grissly end). The alien copies it's victim with frightening accuracy, where their own mother wouldn't recognise them. The organism is made up of millions of individual cells, which will react when attacked, which gives the remaining humans a means to identify the infected. Blood cells taken from the infected litterally jump when a hot piece of wire is brought into contact with them.
Kurt Russell stars in this great film.
Customer Reviews:
'82 was a good year in cinema........2008-01-22
Good HD transfer of a classic paranoid nightmare. This film failed when it was released in 1982 seeing as it was the year of ET. The alien in this is not quite so cute and cuddly. Over the years it has built up a cult following. This is not IMO Carpenter's best - I'd give Assault on Precinct 13 that accolade but it comes darn close. It has an interesting take on the "alien" type genre and shows more than a nod to the paranoia of Mcarthyism/the cold war. It even has parallels in the paranoia we see today. The Antarctic provides an interesting and very claustrophobic setting. These people are alone and the tension is palpable.
The special effects stand up even today, and the music by Ennio Morricone is excellent. Plus it has one of the greatest ending's ever.
The new HD-DVD transfer looks pretty good to my eyes. So why not 5 stars? - well it's not quite in the same league as others of the genre such as Alien.
A film that stands the Test of High Definition.......2008-01-09
Not being a "fan", in the truest sense, of John Carpenter, I would state that "The Thing" is probably his best work. As a Horror film this is an all time classic, and when it came to HD DVD I had a fear that the film would not hold the test of Hi Def and look poor, however far from it!! John Carpenters The Thing looks amazing!!
The most impressive shots in the film are in the begining where you really get a sense of isolation with the backdrop of Antarctica and the visuals just look brilliant. Once we as the viewer reach the confines of the camp and the claustraphobia of the base, the visuals and the effects stand the test of time (and HD) so well this film could have been made yesterday.
If you are a fan of John Carpenter, then this is a Gem to add to your Hi Def collection, if you are not, then this is an excellent film that truly shows you what you have been missing with VHS and DVD til now.
Although this is not a film that will meet most folks tastes, it is still a great movie that just looks and sounds great and is only enhanced by its transition to the HD format.
Well worth a watch.
The best.......2007-06-18
John Carpenter's The Thing is as good as they come, and for my money, the best horror film of all time. Kurt Russell leads a great cast of character actors pitted against an alien which can take over any of them, copying them exactly, so no one knows who's who. The result is a terrifying tale of paranoia & fear. The astounding and graphic special effects by Rob Bottin have yet to be matched 25 years later, and the blood-testing sequence is as suspenseful & jolting as any scene ever committed to film. The Thing is an all-time classic & should be in any horror fan's library for sure.
Story lost in excess gore.......2007-06-17
Yep we are confronted by a dog-splitting being from the great beyond. Being isolated we must evaluate track and kill this most obviously menacing "Thing". But what, who, and where is it?
In an attempt at graphic surprises we have sacrificed character and mood of the book "Who Goes There" by John W. Campbell Jr.", and the original movie "The Thing From Another World." Ah you say what if you do not compare? Still it is a sticky blob story that has no personality of its own.
If you are looking for Adrienne Barbeau you will not see her because she is just the voice, great voice, of the computer (uncredited).
This movie is fun to watch and say "don't look there" but it is far from extraordinary.
Amazon.co.uk Review
John Carpenter's apocalyptic The Thing was released in cinemas just two weeks after E.T. in 1982. The two movies could hardly have presented more contrasting ideas about extra-terrestrial life, and it was Carpenter's uncompromisingly bleak vision that lost out at the box-office. But his audacious remake of the Howard Hawks 1951 B-movie The Thing from Another World has since been acknowledged as a classic in its own right, not only for its pioneering makeup and special effects techniques, but also for its bold treatment of an alien "infection" that eerily foreshadow s AIDS-inspired blood contamination scares. Whizzkid Rob Bottin was responsible for the surreal and stomach-churning make-up effects that are so crucial a part of the film's success--without his utterly convincing creations Carpenter would never have been able to make a monster movie without a "man in a suit"--and filming on a glacier in British Columbia ensured the complete authenticity of the Antarctic setting. Kurt Russell leads a strong all-male cast who powerfully convey their isolation and distrust of one another--in more ways than one this is a film about alienation. The uneasy atmosphere is enhanced by an icily monochrome score from Ennio Morricone, as a series of unforgettable horror set-pieces lead to a wonderfully downbeat finale.
On the DVD:: The bonus features are exemplary, notably the excellent 80-minute documentary, "Terror Takes Shape", which covers all aspects of the production; and the relaxed, friendly, informative commentary by director John Carpenter and star Kurt Russell--a model for how all commentaries should be. There's also an outtakes reel with some tantalising stills of unused footage. Text and stills-based montages illustrate the location design, conceptual artwork and various other aspects of the production. The sound mix is Dolby 5.1, although the non-anamorphic widescreen picture is not all it could be. --Mark Walker
Customer Reviews:
Great down beat finale.......2008-03-11
Director John Carpenter and special makeup effects master Rob Bottin teamed up for this 1982 remake of the 1951 science fiction classic The Thing from Another World, and the result is one of the best movies of the 1980's. No doubt about that.
"The Thing" has a wonderful atmosphere right from the beginning, when the director establishes the vast isolation of Antarctica with some stunning shots. From there, he draws closer and closer in, with some actual horror mixed with well-done suspense (highlight = a dog that splits open and blossoms into something gruesome). An added bonus: the glimpse at the technology of yesteryear, especially the computers and boomboxes. All the actors are well-chosen and create defineable characters and the fate of each comes as something of a shock. Carpenter even preserves the original opening of the movie he's remaking. Unfortunately, lately, I have to say he's rather lost his touch.
PS. the sound track is excellent.
John Carpenter at his best!.......2008-01-03
Classic horror from one of the masters with some of the best special effects I've seen in an early 80's film - not one to watch if you're squeamish!!
The plot focuses on an antartic outpost where a group of researchers are isoloated and alone, it brings together science (blood infection) and science-fiction (aliens that can take on the appearance of humans) and adds a big dose of psychological suspense.
Definately one for horror fans to add to their collection.
The Thing.......2007-12-11
This movie has just got to be one of the best horror flicks ever. Forget Nightmare on Elm St, and other such modern horrors, The Thing (1982) is the real deal. John Carpeneter worked miracles with the effects, and the story line is fab. Some classic (and hilarious) one liners as the crew begin to doubt each other as suspicions rise and they don't know who The Thing has infected. Brilliant acting. I guess you would be slightly paranoid in that situation! However, the movie is a little slow to start, but pay attention, as it gives you the background on how The Thing came to be there. Stick with the first 20 minutes or so, and be prepared to see a classic horror that has everything. This is just a great film full stop. Old school lives on!
Ground breaking suspenseful horror.......2007-10-05
I'm not usually a horror fan but with The Thing I'll make an exception. It's one of those movies that actually fully deserves the 'classic' tag.
As many reviewers have said the effects are wonderful, hugely imaginative and stomach churning, but what's great and so different than many other movies is that it doesn't detract from the story and the characters.
There's a real sense of forboding in the isolated artic setting once the alien life form arrives in camp. Kurt Russell heads a strong all male cast who must battle the paranoia of who can and can't be trusted.
The brooding minimalist score simply adds to this highly suspenseful story that should be part of your dvd collection!
N-ICE ONE.......2007-10-01
A team of polar scientists become infected by an alien organism, unearthed from a frozen spaceship by a group of Danish scientists (who meet a grissly end). The alien copies it's victim with frightening accuracy, where their own mother wouldn't recognise them. The organism is made up of millions of individual cells, which will react when attacked, which gives the remaining humans a means to identify the infected. Blood cells taken from the infected litterally jump when a hot piece of wire is brought into contact with them.
Kurt Russell stars in this great film.
Customer Reviews:
Classic Cheech and Chong.......2006-11-11
This is a great Movie, strange its never really mentioned or included in any Cheech and Chong box sets, but its got everything you'd expect from the Popes of pot. Cheech & Chong play two characters each here, there usual burn outs and two crazy Arabs, The Plot if you care is C&C have to drive these crazy Arabs Limo from Chicago to Vegas, like the original movie the car is made mostly of money, because C&C have no money they start to trade parts of the car to feed there addiction, by the time they get to Vegas they got two crazy arabs to deal with. This movies got Pimps sexy mommas crazy arabs mexicans music drugs, everything you'd expect from Cheech and Chong,You'll be left feeling high Cheech and Chong style after this. 4/5
Customer Reviews:
Story lost in excess gore.......2007-08-26
Yep we are confronted by a dog-splitting being from the great beyond. Being isolated we must evaluate track and kill this most obviously menacing "Thing". But what, who, and where is it?
In an attempt at graphic surprises we have sacrificed character and mood of the book "Who Goes There" by John W. Campbell Jr.", and the original movie "The Thing From Another World." Ah you say what if you do not compare? Still it is a sticky blob story that has no personality of its own.
If you are looking for Adrienne Barbeau you will not see her because she is just the voice, great voice, of the computer (uncredited).
This movie is fun to watch and say "don't look there" but it is far from extraordinary.
HD may add to the view, but it does notheing for the story.
Great film,now looks great too!.......2007-03-09
The Thing is probably one of my top 5 films of all time,a flop on first release but now a cult classic i think this is john carpenters best work and thats high praise for someone who also made halloween and escape fron new york too!. As soon as i found out this was on HD i rushed to get it..wow i've never seen this film look so good,now its not on par with some new films but this is 25 yrs old and its the best this film has ever looked,i was abit disappointed with the old non anamorphic dvd release which i had and wasnt much better than vhs, but this is in a different league!!,its not a wow pic quality but it looks great,everythings got much more detail and the sound!,again not on par with recent flicks still delivers a punch. I cant reccomend this highly enough and all the features from the dvd are now here too!! what more could you want? this is currently only availbale in the u.s but as theres no region coding at present for HD DVD it doesnt matter and of course there is no ntsc now either so quality wise it make no difference..go get!
WOW!.......2007-02-19
I love this movie it's a class act, I have owned it from the days of VHS and when I bought it on HD DVD I wasn't expecting any miracles in picture performance, but I can honestly say I have never seen this film look so good I can see things I've never been able to see on previous formats, the image quality is fantastic for a film of this age and it brings a whole new life to the movie, and Rob Bottins aliens look even more real.
Amazon.co.uk Review
John Carpenter's apocalyptic The Thing was released in cinemas just two weeks after E.T. in 1982. The two movies could hardly have presented more contrasting ideas about extra-terrestrial life, and it was Carpenter's uncompromisingly bleak vision that lost out at the box-office. But his audacious remake of the Howard Hawks 1951 B-movie The Thing from Another World has since been acknowledged as a classic in its own right, not only for its pioneering makeup and special effects techniques, but also for its bold treatment of an alien "infection" that eerily foreshadow s AIDS-inspired blood contamination scares. Whizzkid Rob Bottin was responsible for the surreal and stomach-churning make-up effects that are so crucial a part of the film's success--without his utterly convincing creations Carpenter would never have been able to make a monster movie without a "man in a suit"--and filming on a glacier in British Columbia ensured the complete authenticity of the Antarctic setting. Kurt Russell leads a strong all-male cast who powerfully convey their isolation and distrust of one another--in more ways than one this is a film about alienation. The uneasy atmosphere is enhanced by an icily monochrome score from Ennio Morricone, as a series of unforgettable horror set-pieces lead to a wonderfully downbeat finale.
On the DVD:: The bonus features are exemplary, notably the excellent 80-minute documentary, "Terror Takes Shape", which covers all aspects of the production; and the relaxed, friendly, informative commentary by director John Carpenter and star Kurt Russell--a model for how all commentaries should be. There's also an outtakes reel with some tantalising stills of unused footage. Text and stills-based montages illustrate the location design, conceptual artwork and various other aspects of the production. The sound mix is Dolby 5.1, although the non-anamorphic widescreen picture is not all it could be. --Mark Walker
Customer Reviews:
Great down beat finale.......2008-03-11
Director John Carpenter and special makeup effects master Rob Bottin teamed up for this 1982 remake of the 1951 science fiction classic The Thing from Another World, and the result is one of the best movies of the 1980's. No doubt about that.
"The Thing" has a wonderful atmosphere right from the beginning, when the director establishes the vast isolation of Antarctica with some stunning shots. From there, he draws closer and closer in, with some actual horror mixed with well-done suspense (highlight = a dog that splits open and blossoms into something gruesome). An added bonus: the glimpse at the technology of yesteryear, especially the computers and boomboxes. All the actors are well-chosen and create defineable characters and the fate of each comes as something of a shock. Carpenter even preserves the original opening of the movie he's remaking. Unfortunately, lately, I have to say he's rather lost his touch.
PS. the sound track is excellent.
John Carpenter at his best!.......2008-01-03
Classic horror from one of the masters with some of the best special effects I've seen in an early 80's film - not one to watch if you're squeamish!!
The plot focuses on an antartic outpost where a group of researchers are isoloated and alone, it brings together science (blood infection) and science-fiction (aliens that can take on the appearance of humans) and adds a big dose of psychological suspense.
Definately one for horror fans to add to their collection.
The Thing.......2007-12-11
This movie has just got to be one of the best horror flicks ever. Forget Nightmare on Elm St, and other such modern horrors, The Thing (1982) is the real deal. John Carpeneter worked miracles with the effects, and the story line is fab. Some classic (and hilarious) one liners as the crew begin to doubt each other as suspicions rise and they don't know who The Thing has infected. Brilliant acting. I guess you would be slightly paranoid in that situation! However, the movie is a little slow to start, but pay attention, as it gives you the background on how The Thing came to be there. Stick with the first 20 minutes or so, and be prepared to see a classic horror that has everything. This is just a great film full stop. Old school lives on!
Ground breaking suspenseful horror.......2007-10-05
I'm not usually a horror fan but with The Thing I'll make an exception. It's one of those movies that actually fully deserves the 'classic' tag.
As many reviewers have said the effects are wonderful, hugely imaginative and stomach churning, but what's great and so different than many other movies is that it doesn't detract from the story and the characters.
There's a real sense of forboding in the isolated artic setting once the alien life form arrives in camp. Kurt Russell heads a strong all male cast who must battle the paranoia of who can and can't be trusted.
The brooding minimalist score simply adds to this highly suspenseful story that should be part of your dvd collection!
N-ICE ONE.......2007-10-01
A team of polar scientists become infected by an alien organism, unearthed from a frozen spaceship by a group of Danish scientists (who meet a grissly end). The alien copies it's victim with frightening accuracy, where their own mother wouldn't recognise them. The organism is made up of millions of individual cells, which will react when attacked, which gives the remaining humans a means to identify the infected. Blood cells taken from the infected litterally jump when a hot piece of wire is brought into contact with them.
Kurt Russell stars in this great film.
Customer Reviews:
A pre nightmare wes craven.......2005-05-17
It's nonsense. Rather than working with the truly astonishing material from the comic written by Alan Moore (a period which first gave us John Constantine, now a big budget movie with Keanu Reeves) they went for an uncomplicated take on Swamp Thing's origin. In doing so, they lost all the dark gothic horror of the early stories and poetry and spirituality of Moore's later work.
Replete with gratuitous topless scene from Adrienne Barbeau (bathing in the swamp, film nudity fans) this film has very little going for it other than as a curiosity as to how Wes Craven moved onto better things.
At least the sequel (a few years later, with Heather Locklear) played it for laughs.
UK DVD:
- The Ultimate Hammer Collection (21 Disc Box Set)
- The Wicker Man (2 DVD + CD Collector's Edition) [1973]
- The Wicker Man (2 DVD + CD Collector's Edition) [1973]
- Thirteen Ghosts [2002]
- Underworld [2003]
- Underworld - Evolution [2006]
- Videodrome [1983]
- What Lies Beneath [2000]
- Wrong Turn [2003]
- 1408 [2007]
UK DVD List
UK DVD
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