The Thing by John Carpenter

[Doctor Jones]

Carpenter's remake is textbook as to how to approach to make a great remake.

 

[Broseph44]

Like I said even though I already have this on blu ray, I'm gonna double dip. I can always sell my other copy. When it comes to Scream Factory I can never pass them up. My collection of theirs keeps growing. They always have great transfers, a **** ton of awesome special features and amazing cover art. Can never go wrong with them.

 

[Hordakfan]

Carpenter's remake is textbook as to how to approach to make a great remake.

Not really much of a "remake" since there is no such film in 1951 called "The Thing" just The Thing from Another World and second, they are 2 very completely different films that Carpenter's film is barely a remake of the earlier film, it's actually rather another adaptation of the 1938 novella Who Goes There by John W Campbell and more truer to the source than the earlier film was since that was a very loose adaptation.

 

[Doctor Jones]

You are right, I forgot about that aspect.

 

[gwynplaine]

One of my favorite films of all time. Learned recently that it was written by Bill Lancaster, Burt's son, talented family.

 

[Teelie]

Not really much of a "remake" since there is no such film in 1951 called "The Thing" just The Thing from Another World and second, they are 2 very completely different films that Carpenter's film is barely a remake of the earlier film, it's actually rather another adaptation of the 1938 novella Who Goes There by John W Campbell and more truer to the source than the earlier film was since that was a very loose adaptation.

Exactly. Carpenter's The Thing is no more a remake of The Thing From Another World than Nolan's The Dark Knight is a remake of Burton's Batman.

They do both have the same source material, but neither is a remake. Now the prequel "The Thing" from a few years ago is just plain confusing as it's technically not a remake but it is in every other aspect a remake of Carpenter's The Thing.

 

[Hordakfan]

The list of extras
are astounding, I want this so badly.

I can't wait, i sold my old DVD as i don't have the old blu-ray as i'm gonna get this and can't wait for the 2K scan restored PQ and see the cool new extras.

 

[redhawk23]

I don't know, I think the original film was very much part of the impetus for Carpenter making his film and he even included it in Halloween with the kids watching it on TV.

In the Batman comparison its not like Nolan grew up watching Burton's film or even the 60s series and thought "I need to make this."

Also there's just a matter of this:

 

[Gabe99]

THE THING Conceptual Story Boarded Designs by Mentor Huebner

 

[KRYPTON INC.]

My podcast's retrospective on Carpenter's Thing vs Starman two parter audio only episode on YouTube.

Spoiler: TBC Thing Vs Starman part 1

Spoiler: TBC Thing Vs Starman part 2

 

[KRYPTON INC.]

 

[The Endless]

I guess this thread is basically just an echo chamber (but warranted).

I'll add to it...

The Thing is the pinnacle of horror. Not just sci-fi horror, but horror in general. The setting, the characters, the atmosphere, and of course the Thing itself... its film making perfection.

It hasn't really aged at all. In fact, I'd say it looks even better now when you compare it to modern sfx and cgi. I'd say the only dodgy moment was the way the spider head walked, but the overall feel of that scene is one of grossed out awe!

The sense of impending dread and paranoia is unmatched even today. The actors play such a huge role in that. You truly believe that these are real human beings trapped in this nightmare.

The ending? For me, easily top 5 film ending of all time. Its ambiguous yet unambiguous at the same time. We know Mac and Childs have no hope of surviving. They know that. But... we also dont know if they are really themselves. Neither do they!

It's the perfect representation of "fear of the unknown" and probably the best ever Lovecraft movie.

 

[Hunter Rider]

 

[gohei_]

Horror and scifi is such a Great combination and this is by far one of my fave movies in that genre.

 

[weezerspider]

I don't know, I think the original film was very much part of the impetus for Carpenter making his film and he even included it in Halloween with the kids watching it on TV.

In the Batman comparison its not like Nolan grew up watching Burton's film or even the 60s series and thought "I need to make this."

Also there's just a matter of this:

Yeah, it’s definitely a remake. Not to mention Carpenter and Russell wanted to remake TWO Hawks films. A remake of Only Angels Have Wings was supposed to be Carpenter’s next film after The Thing, but The Thing’s box office ended that.

It’s a great film and being a remake doesn’t take anything away from that, but we don’t need to call a dog a cat just because we normally don’t like dogs. It’s a remake.

 

[DarkKnight88]

Not to mention Carpenter and Russell wanted to remake TWO Hawks films. A remake of Only Angels Have Wings was supposed to be Carpenter’s next film after The Thing, but The Thing’s box office ended that.

Whoa, did not know that! That definitely would’ve been an epic film. Too bad.

 

[tzarinna]

Clive Barker did a q&a on Reddit this week and he listed John Carpenter's The Thing as one of his top three favorite horror films.

 

[Kane52630]

The Thing getting 4K release this autumn – Film Stories

 

[:eek:]

Carpenter's "The Thing" Gets A Re-Release - Dark Horizons