Thing, The (1982)

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Suspicion

Based on the same John W. Campbell Jr. story as The Thing From Another World, this is essentially a more intelligent, far more gruesome update. A creature is found trapped in a block of ice, only to awaken and -- well, it's a horror movie, whaddaya expect?

It's surprisingly subtle, with an outstanding minimalist soundtrack and some understated but sophisticated performances.

The scenes of gore are, by contrast, extremely graphic. If this were a film studies journal I'd probably say that they're representative of the all-male cast's internalized emotions; set free they become the Other. But I won't, because a) it isn't, and b) John Carpenter isn't David Cronenberg.

(Thank God.)

Apparently there's a re-cut TV version with the gore mostly removed, and I think that's the one I'd prefer. The special effects are ridiculous even when horrifying, and that interferes with the otherwise pervasive sense of paranoia.

But still, it's definitely worth seeing.

- Sam - 2006-09-06 11:38:59