Rating: 
Summary: Little violence, minor suspense, extreme gore...
Review: It's a ... shame that they don't put Howard Hawk's original 1951 classic THE THING FROM ANOTHER WORLD on VHS, but since they didn't this is the next best thing. Carpenter takes his liberties in unfolding the story, but these gross-out effects are sure to keep you awake for awhile. More menacing than disturbing, this film is not THE DAY THE EARTH STOOD STILL or 2001: A SPACE ODYSSEY, and certainly if you like TV shows (TWILIGHT ZONE, THE OUTER LIMITS, LOST IN SPACE) you'll be put off, but those who can use their diabolically sickening imaginations should eat it up. Maybe four and a half.
Rating:
Summary: Forget the Exorcist
Review: I once read a newspaper article that said there were many scarier movies than Exorcist, but people didn't know about them. THIS MOVIE IS SCARY. Carpenter uses unexpectancy to shock you, and he does it well. The scene with the guy's chest splitting open and stuff coming up out was accompanied (before it happened) by talk between the men. YOu didn't expect it. During the blood tests the doctor argues with Kurt and Kurt says "YOU were the closest to that refrigerator. We'll do you last." RIGHT after this sentence Kurt dips the wire in the blood, the blood spills, and then the guy's face crumbles, bites into that guy's head and throws him around (SCARY!)...very unexpected by me. These days you can predict everything in horror films. (Girl opens a door, sighs, notices nothing is there, turns around, and gets stabbed by some killer because she once slept with his father, runs out the front door, trying to find help, eventually gets completely naked and then gets her head chopped off.) TV GUIDE rated this movie with 2 stars, calling it GORY. The gore in this film was needed, not in many I have seen. (Any WES CRAVEN film has unneeded gore in it) Classic film. Carpenter knew he couldn't give people a goreless remake. THey wouldn't go for that. Great acting, even if you didn't know anybody else but Kurt in the film.
Rating:
Summary: Carpenter's moment of excellence
Review: the collectors edition dvd is for every even slight fan of this movie. i don't usually enjoy sci-fi anything, but this story, the way it is told, the actors all make it so enjoyable to watch. the effects are amazing considering it was made in 81'. the documentary that accompanies the film is outstanding. very detailed, very enjoyable. go out and rent this version of the dvd if nothing else. do yourself a favor. John Carpenter won me over here, and trust me, that is not always the case with his films.
Rating: 
Summary: Best ending in any movie, ever!
Review: I have never really been distracted by all the gore in this movie, and I certainly disagree with the 2 reviewers above that say this is a "gore-fest". All of the gore has a point, it's how the creature lives - as long as things like that have a purpose, I don't have any problem with them in movies. All of the actors are great in this and it is just about the most suspenseful thing I've ever seen. Great movie, I guess I've seen it 25+ times.
Rating:
Summary: carpenter at his very best.
Review: The Thing in my opinion is one of the greatest sci fi/horror films of all time.The movie for one was filmed with a great deal of care,every shot, every set looks so authentic you'd swear you were looking at actual locations wich in some instances you are.The film is paced perfectly never alowing the viewer time to relax but wrather keeping the menace of the thing ever present.When this film origanaly came out Carpenter was labeled by some as "a ponographer of gore and violence",this was no doubt as a result of an outstanding job by special effects masters Rob Bottin and Stan Winston who went on to do other films such as T2,Seven,Total Recall,Predator etc etc. The visuals from these masters of makeup and organic effects do what they are meant to do,and that is shock and scare the hell out of you.Finaly a word on the script and the acting,the guys who were cast for this film did a perfect job,as they portray there characters with so much realizm its like your a fly on the wall,watching there world get turned upsidedown and inside out,and as you watch so will your world.This DVD by the way looks and sounds great and is packed with enough extras to keep you busy for quite a while.So do yourself a favor and enjoy one of the few perfectly made horror films of all time, a true labour of love.
Rating:
Summary: Easily one of the best sci/fi horror films ever made
Review: Claustrophobic, intense, and extremely scary, John Carpenter's "The Thing" is one of the most frightening horror films I have ever witnessed. The whole isolation in Antarctica really makes for a feeling that there's no way to avoid the creature, and the fact that it can be anyone keeps you on edge throughout the entire movie. When I saw it for the first time, I really had no idea who was or wasn't the creature, so I fell for all the shocks. Excellent acting by all, which helped make the characters more human so you actually care when they get ripped apart. Also, absolutely amazing gory special effects. This film should please sci fi fans, horror fans, and everyone in between. Those with a weak stomach might want to be wary, but everyone else definetly should check this sucker out. Just flat out a great film.
Rating:
Summary: One of the Most Frightening Films of All Time!!!!!!!!!!!
Review: This is a near perfect Horror movie. When an American research crew stationed in Antarctica come across an alien craft buried for eons in the ice trouble ensues that makes special effects history. The overt creep factor in this movie is so oppressive that watching it alone requires practicing putting the tape in my VCR, it's that scary! I have to get up the courage to watch this movie! The alien creature and all the gory happenings surrounding its presence are so firmly imprinted in my mind that it's kind of like recalling a "nice" trauma. The cast is superb, the direction spectacular. This is the movie that should have put John Carpenter on the map, not Halloween. It's much more intense than any mask wielding madman. The idea of an unstoppable enemy, an enemy that one cannot identify until it is much too late is such a bone-chilling concept and it is pulled off with a magician's flair. So if you have a fear of the dark, of death in a horrible fashion, or of never being able to trust anyone, well here's the movie for you. Guaranteed chills and glances over your shoulder with each viewing!
Rating:
Summary: Not the "Original" but certainly stands on its own
Review: The original "The Thing" was probably the first science fiction/monster movie I saw that was both intelligent and realistic. When Carpenter decided to "remake" it I was initially appalled, but even before I first saw the film I had to concede that his decision to go back to the original short story, "Who Goes There?" was indeed sufficient justification. Certainly I appreciate the homages to the original film (specifically retaining the original "title" sequence and the video tape of the discovery of the round object buried beneath the ice).Carpenter's "The Thing" is more of a psychological drama, in ways reminiscient of a hybrid of the paranoid elements "The Invastion of the Body Snatchers" with the relentless isolation of "Alien." What gets in the ways sometimes are the gross-out elements that the transmutated aliens provide. Your sense of identification with the characters and your willingness to go along with the game and guess who is or is not a monster disappates everytime you see some creature who looks turned inside out. But this was the early glory days of new age special effects and you know how people get about their toys. This is one of Kirk Russell's best roles, with none of the over the top excesses of Snake Pliskin (enjoyable as they are). Russell has done a lot of work since his days as a Disney Youth (the Justin Timberlake of his day perhaps?), from action to comedy. But this might be his most comfortable niche, providing a realistic hero: pretty much an ordinary guy in an extraordinary circumstance. Watching this movie at night, or, better yet, at night in the Dead of Winter, is appropriate. You can enjoy it without knowing the original, but if you can track down that classic, screen it under similar circumstances (and try not to laugh at the cold war rhetoric).
Rating:
Summary: MASTERPIECE
Review: I have been moderate fan of Carpenter's work for years.I love the orginal halloween.I have slowly warmed up to the thing in the past 2 years.I review the widescreen VHS tape.First video I buy on dvd when the wife says it time to get one is THE THING.The film is set in Anartica in 82.The research station is stumbled on by a dog? The dog is on the run from another camp.History is about to repeat itself.Slowly the crew is attacked by the thing.Some become the things.Russell gives a wonderful performance in the film.Wilford is great here to.The cast is full of true professional actors.Further,I am always amazed at the complete isolation at work here.I love the cold and snow settings.You feel the cold,isolation,fear,anger,distrust that builds ever so slowly.The trouble with movies today is they are all effects and nothing more.We oooohhoooahh for 2 hrs.Go home and forget the film in 6 days.NO ONE will ever forget this film.
Rating:
Summary: The Greatest DVD
Review: This DVD version of The Thing is the best DVD movie that I have encountered so far. With everything from production and cast background, to a complete behind the scenes documentary and much more, it is a John Carpenter fans wish come true. My favorite feature of this DVD is the running commentary through the movie with John Carpenter and Kurt Russell. Obviously, these two guys are buddies, and it shows in their collaboration in the commentary while they inform and have fun at the same time. I highly recommend this quality movie to all John Carpenter fans !
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