Post by Mr.HoRrOr on Dec 18, 2011 17:30:12 GMT -5
Plot:Antarctica is an extraordinary continent of awesome beauty. It is also home to an isolated outpost where a discovery full of scientific possibility becomes a mission of survival when an alien is unearthed by a crew of international scientists. The shape-shifting creature, accidentally unleashed at this marooned colony, has the ability to turn itself into a perfect replica of any living being. It can look just like you or me, but inside, it remains inhuman.
Cast:
Joel Edgerton
Mary Elizabeth Winstead
Jonathan Walker
Dennis Storhoi
Trond Espen Seim
Jorgen Langhelle
Stig Henrik Hoff
Jan Gunnar Roise
Kristofer Hivju
Jo Adrian Haavind
Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje
My Thoughts:Good popcorn scifi/horror!
Review:When trying to remake a horror/scifi classic. As popular, flawless, and solid as John Carpenter's "The Thing". You're pretty much trying to do the unthinkable. So filmmaker Matthijs van Heijningen Jr. decided to give the prequel, a whirl instead. After during the very early stages of this movies production, remaking "The Thing" was actually being discussed as a possiblity.
And while the prequel doesn't come close to matching the excellence of Carpenter's "The Thing", it does succeed at being good popcorn scifi/horror fun. The film begins when a researcher discovers something buried beneath the ice in Antartica. He calls in a team of international scientists to participate in the dig. Including Kate Lloyd. One of the top American graduate students of the scientific research field.
They soon unearth their big find. Which is frozen inside a block of ice. After taking samples from the ice block, the specimen inside soon manages to free itself from the ice in explosive fashion. And thus...terrifying events begin. Spurned on by a creature which can shapeshift by attacking its prey. And then becoming its prey. One reason why this movie doesn't work very well from a character standpoint. Is because there's a serious drop off in talent when it comes to the actors who play the characters in the film.
Carpenter's version went with American thespians. "The Thing" (2011) Tops off the cast with Mary Elizabeth Winstead, and Eric Christian Olsen. Neither of which are huge names to the casual moviegoer. Although I'd say MEW is more well-known these days than ECO. After them comes Brit actor Joel Edgerton. And then after him, another Brit...Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje. Granted, both are good actors. But a movie like this needed a more well-known cast in order to draw big box office numbers.
I suspect the reason for its weak opening was because most people had no clue who a lot of these folks were. While that didn't hurt the overall quality of the film. It did make it difficult to see a way in which the movie could be a huge draw. But I guess the filmmakers figured MEW, and the fact that this was attached to the franchise of Carpenter's "The Thing"...was enough to get people to the theaters. They were wrong. But this was after all, a prequel telling of the Norweigian team that first set foot into the Artic.
And encountered the alien creature. So this type of casting was to be expected. At any rate, the film plays out in true lineage to Carpenter's "The Thing". Where once the creature is loose...it starts killing people off by basically genetically merging with them. And no one can attach a name or origin to the nasty creepy-crawly. Hence it being the titular "Thing". After that, the entire group begins to break down and crack under the pressure of paranoia about who's human and who isn't.
Again, scenes that don't carry as much dramatic effect as Carpenter's film did. But they're good enough for what is basically a popcorn-prequel to it. And Christian Olsen shows some good depth and range in some of these moments. Although his character is a bit wasted in the movie. Without much dialogue until the middle parts. And in some cases, it seemed like the filmmakers couldn't allow him to upstage Joel E. as Sam. The potential numero uno love interest/hero to Kate (Winstead). So he's keep in the background for a lot of the time.
Sadly. I thought this film could've been his big chance to step out of the shadow of those silly romance/coms. Anyways, the key to this film working was always the "thing" itself. And the sheer amazement of this creature that can bond with human DNA. Replicate it, and become that person. But in the prequel, there's more emphasis on its ability to break off into pieces and spawn clones of itself. So it can be in more than one place at once. And be more than one person at a time.
The creature FX were pretty well done. And very much in-line and blueprinted after what we saw in the original. With the creature bursting from people's bodies. Ripping them open to reveal tentacles, and all sorts of that kind of stuff. And I must say, many of those scenes made my skin crawl and gave me the willies a bit. Not in a fear kind of way, but the whole concept of a slimy tentacled alien species that can be anyone is creepy enough. But seeing it in action gives the viewer a kind of excited gross-out effect.
In a way in which it's fun and entertaining to be creeped out by what's happening on screen. And then discuss it afterwards. Kudos to the filmmakers for also implementing the infamous blowtorch into the film. A tool which makes an appearance at that crucial time during the movie where everyone suspects everyone of being "The Thing". Keeping in line with the original, the prequel doesn't offer up a ton of blood and guts and gore either. It keeps with the original, and most scifi/horror films.
By going more for gore, slime, and gross-out. Instead of slasher movie'esque hyper violence. And splatter. But the scenario in which these characters find themselves in gives enough scare factor of suspense. To keep the movie solidly entrenched within the genre. The finale of the movie is a very exciting third act. But at times, can drag a bit. Nothing super noticeable or fatal to the movies overall quality.
But at times, the ending can seem to shuffle aimlessly. And when the final scene comes, it leaves a semi-question mark about one of the films main characters/survivors. While also acting as a lead in to what would be known as "The Thing" (1982). Overall, "The Thing" prequel is a satisfactory "what came before", to Carpenter's "The Thing" '82. While the fact that it was a prequel, had to allow for the casting of not-so-big-names. I think the movie made its point really well when all was said and done. Too bad the box office verdict wasn't as kind.
Positives:Good creature fx, a decent story, good performances by Mary Elizabeth Winstead, Joel Edgerton, and Eric Christian Olsen. A strong third act, and excellent directing that created the mood, tone, and atmosphere for the events which unfolded perfectly.
Negatives:I thought Christian Olsen's character could've been used more. And the finale scene need to tie up one more loose end.
Overall:Three and a half stars out of four.