{"id":85242,"date":"2022-07-06T15:40:15","date_gmt":"2022-07-06T22:40:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/?p=85242"},"modified":"2022-07-06T17:16:53","modified_gmt":"2022-07-07T00:16:53","slug":"thing-the-1982","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/?p=85242","title":{"rendered":"Thing, The (1982)"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><strong>&#8220;So how do we know who&#8217;s human?&#8221;<\/strong><\/p>\n<table>\n<tr>\n<td>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/Thing-Poster.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/Thing-Poster-198x300.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"198\" height=\"300\" class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-85243\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/Thing-Poster-198x300.png 198w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/Thing-Poster-85x128.png 85w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/Thing-Poster-178x270.png 178w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/Thing-Poster.png 631w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 198px) 100vw, 198px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p><strong>Synopsis:<\/strong><br \/>\nAt an isolated research center in Antarctica, a helicopter pilot (Kurt Russell) and his colleagues become alarmed when they realize a husky dog is actually a shape-shifting alien ready to take over their bodies at any time.\n<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>\n<p>\n<strong>Genres, Themes, Actors, and Directors:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Aliens<\/li>\n<li>Horror Films<\/li>\n<li>John Carpenter Films<\/li>\n<li>Mistaken and Hidden Identities<\/li>\n<li>Possession<\/li>\n<li>Science Fiction<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Response to Peary&#8217;s Review: <\/strong><br \/>\nPeary is among a host of critics who are\/were unhappy with &#8220;John Carpenter&#8217;s remake of <a href=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/?p=19485\">Howard Hawks&#8217;s classic<\/a>&#8221; sci-fi horror flick, based on &#8220;<a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Who_Goes_There%3F\">John W. Campbell, Jr.&#8217;s source story, &#8216;Who Goes There?&#8217;<\/a>.&#8221; He refers to it as &#8220;a tremendous disappointment,&#8221; arguing that it traded &#8220;in the good taste that made Hawks&#8217;s film so special for some of the most repellent imagery in horror-movie history.&#8221; <\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/Thing-Creature.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/Thing-Creature-1024x435.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"272\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-85247\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/Thing-Creature-1024x435.png 1024w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/Thing-Creature-300x128.png 300w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/Thing-Creature-128x54.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/Thing-Creature-768x326.png 768w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/Thing-Creature-1536x653.png 1536w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/Thing-Creature-604x257.png 604w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/Thing-Creature.png 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>Meanwhile, he posits that the film&#8217;s &#8220;terrifying premise&#8221; &#8212; the men on the base &#8220;lose trust in one another, fearing that the monster lurks beneath the familiar human facade of one of their co-workers&#8221; &#8212; is &#8220;exploited by Carpenter and special-effects genius Rob Bottin, who really comes up with some amazing concoctions.&#8221; He asserts that Carpenter&#8217;s &#8220;major mistake&#8221; is &#8220;when he has the film&#8217;s suspense and horror focus on the visuals, particularly the extremely gory, often repulsive ways in which the men are killed off.&#8221; <\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/Thing-Arms.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/Thing-Arms-1024x435.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"272\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-85253\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/Thing-Arms-1024x435.png 1024w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/Thing-Arms-300x128.png 300w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/Thing-Arms-128x54.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/Thing-Arms-768x326.png 768w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/Thing-Arms-1536x653.png 1536w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/Thing-Arms-604x257.png 604w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/Thing-Arms.png 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>Peary argues that &#8220;the real horror should be that these men are losing their identities when they are inhabited by the creature&#8221; &#8212; but &#8220;unfortunately, Carpenter neglected to give his characters distinct or engaging personalities to begin with,&#8221; and &#8220;since they are already <em>dehumanized<\/em> from their long stay in the wilderness, we can&#8217;t be too upset seeing nonentities being taken over.&#8221;  <\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/Thing-Team.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/Thing-Team-1024x435.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"272\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-85251\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/Thing-Team-1024x435.png 1024w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/Thing-Team-300x128.png 300w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/Thing-Team-128x54.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/Thing-Team-768x326.png 768w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/Thing-Team-1536x653.png 1536w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/Thing-Team-604x257.png 604w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/Thing-Team.png 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>I disagree with Peary&#8217;s take on this film. While Hawks&#8217;s unique flick is a must-see classic of the 1950s, Carpenter&#8217;s film succeeds on its own terms, presenting a wintery hellscape of justifiable paranoia in which these men (I disagree they&#8217;re dehumanized) can no longer rely on one another for support and survival. Carpenter&#8217;s direction is spot-on, and the special effects really are a wonder to behold. While this isn&#8217;t a personal favorite, it&#8217;s a well-crafted thriller, and has enough of a dedicated following that all film fanatics should watch it at least once.   <\/p>\n<p><strong>Notable Performances, Qualities, and Moments: <\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Kurt Russell as MacReady<br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/Thing-Russell.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/Thing-Russell-1024x435.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"272\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-85249\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/Thing-Russell-1024x435.png 1024w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/Thing-Russell-300x128.png 300w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/Thing-Russell-128x54.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/Thing-Russell-768x326.png 768w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/Thing-Russell-1536x653.png 1536w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/Thing-Russell-604x257.png 604w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/Thing-Russell.png 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><\/li>\n<li>Dean Cundey&#8217;s cinematography<br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/Thing-Silhouette.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/Thing-Silhouette-1024x435.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"272\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-85250\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/Thing-Silhouette-1024x435.png 1024w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/Thing-Silhouette-300x128.png 300w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/Thing-Silhouette-128x54.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/Thing-Silhouette-768x326.png 768w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/Thing-Silhouette-1536x653.png 1536w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/Thing-Silhouette-604x257.png 604w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/Thing-Silhouette.png 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><\/li>\n<li>Impressive make-up and special effects<br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/Thing-Teeth.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/Thing-Teeth-1024x435.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"272\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-85254\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/Thing-Teeth-1024x435.png 1024w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/Thing-Teeth-300x128.png 300w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/Thing-Teeth-128x54.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/Thing-Teeth-768x326.png 768w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/Thing-Teeth-1536x653.png 1536w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/Thing-Teeth-604x257.png 604w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/Thing-Teeth.png 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><\/li>\n<li>Ennio Morricone&#8217;s score<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Must See? <\/strong><br \/>\nYes, for its cult status and as an appropriately horrifying thriller. <\/p>\n<p><strong>Categories<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Cult Movie<\/li>\n<li>Important Director<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p> (<span style=\"color:red;font-weight:bold;\">Listed in <a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/reviews\/?page_id=1458\"><em>1001 Movies You Must See Before You Die<\/em><\/a><\/span>) <\/p>\n<p><strong>Links: <\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.imdb.com\/title\/tt0084787\/\">IMDb entry<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.thespinningimage.co.uk\/cultfilms\/displaycultfilm.asp?reviewid=131&#038;aff=13\">Spinning Image Review<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.moriareviews.com\/sciencefiction\/thing-1982.htm\">Moria Review<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/1982\/06\/25\/movies\/the-thing-horror-and-science-fiction.html\">NY Times Original Review<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/youtu.be\/wSFXYKl_rf0\">re:View Video Discussion<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.dvdtalk.com\/dvdsavant\/s2711thing.html\">DVD Savant Review<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>&#8220;So how do we know who&#8217;s human?&#8221; Synopsis: At an isolated research center in Antarctica, a helicopter pilot (Kurt Russell) and his colleagues become alarmed when they realize a husky dog is actually a shape-shifting alien ready to take over their bodies at any time. Genres, Themes, Actors, and Directors: Aliens Horror Films John Carpenter Films Mistaken and Hidden Identities Possession Science Fiction Response to Peary&#8217;s Review: Peary is among a host of critics who are\/were unhappy with &#8220;John Carpenter&#8217;s&#8230;<\/p>\n<p class=\"read-more\"><a class=\"btn btn-default\" href=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/?p=85242\"> Read More<span class=\"screen-reader-text\">  Read More<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[3],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-85242","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-responses-to-peary"],"aioseo_notices":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/85242","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=85242"}],"version-history":[{"count":16,"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/85242\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":85274,"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/85242\/revisions\/85274"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=85242"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=85242"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=85242"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}