THE FILM FELLAS
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13th August 2023
FilmFellas: The Thing - The greatest sci-fi horror movie ever?
Julian and Nick sit down and discuss John Carpenter's 1982 classic "The Thing" which is a science fiction horror film directed by John Carpenter, released in 1982. It's a remake of the 1951 film "The Thing from Another World" and adapts John W. Campbell Jr.'s novella "Who Goes There?"
The story is set in a remote research station in Antarctica and follows a team of scientists who encounter a parasitic extraterrestrial life-form that assimilates, then imitates other organisms. The members of the team become increasingly paranoid as the creature imitates them one by one, leading to a battle for survival where trust is scarce, and fear runs rampant.
Upon its initial release, "The Thing" received mixed to negative reviews from critics, many of whom found the film's gore and effects to be excessive. Some criticised the character development, feeling the film focused too much on special effects. At the box office, the movie also underperformed, overshadowed by other summer releases, such as "E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial."
However, as the years passed, the film's reputation began to shift.
In the subsequent decades, "The Thing" has undergone a significant reevaluation, becoming regarded as one of the greatest sci-fi horror films ever made. Critics and audiences alike have come to appreciate its technical achievements, particularly the innovative and horrifying practical effects designed by Rob Bottin.
The movie's themes of isolation, distrust, and paranoia resonate with viewers and have been examined in various academic contexts. John Carpenter's direction, combined with Ennio Morricone's chilling score, has cemented "The Thing" as a seminal work in the genre.
Film scholars and enthusiasts now celebrate the film for its uncompromising vision and ability to generate tension and terror without relying solely on jump scares or cheap thrills. Its influence can be seen in a wide array of films and TV shows that followed.
In modern retrospectives, "The Thing" often appears on lists of the best horror films, with praise for its complex narrative, character dynamics, and its ability to provoke thought and emotion through horror.
The legacy of "The Thing" is a testament to how critical and public perception can evolve, transforming a once-maligned film into a revered classic, respected not just as a product of its time but as a timeless contribution to cinema.
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