The Thing (1982) Retrospective/Review
ฝัง
- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 30 ก.ย. 2024
- I return to review The Thing, which I covered over a decade ago with a new expanded version.
Big thanks to @ravensfilm for the additional interview material and James Harris for providing the thumbnail graphic. You can find more of James' work on Instagram / jimharrisdesigns
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I still can’t believe that the soundtrack got nominated for worst score. It is one of the most haunting scores of all time, and perfectly fits the film.
Always happens with art that is ahead of its time. Don’t forget Bladerunner flopped…
🎉 Great movie
Great music
The soundtrack received a Razzie? That's just nuts.
@@capitalcitygoofball1987 No, but it was nominated.
Legit got chills listening to the intro... then reading your comment
Love this movie
"...as Benning's becomes the alien's first victim."
And then you later mention the dog going after Norris earlier in the film. They can't both be first.
And that wasn't Norris in shadow. It was an extra that Carpenter used to hide the identity of the
actor being assimilated. It could also have been Palmer, but I favor Norris as that victim as well.
Also, Benning's wasn't bitten by the dog under the table. He was merely spooked when it brushed
past his leg.
It's the unanswered questions that allow this film to stand the test of time.
Well, that, and the fact that it's awesome...
"The Thing"(1982) is a horror sci-fi movie masterpiece!This is probably the best movie of all time for this Kind!
Great work as usual Oliver! Fantastic review of a stunning achievement in cinema
Absolute terror from beginning to end! One of, if not the greatest horror/sci fi film ever made.
This The Fly (1986) and The Blob (1988) are probably the best remakes ever made. Not only great remakes but some of the best sci-fi horrors made.
Oliver: "It was over 38°C!" We Americans: "That was ummmm, herm. Uhhhhhhh, hot! It was very hot outside! I don't know how hot! But it was hot! I know that!!".
Just realized while watching this that I need that iconic movie poster hanging in my house somewhere! Also, not sure if it's ever been on your radar to review but The Relic from 1997 would be a solid creature feature to hear you cover. Currently reading the novel it's based on after rewatching the film a month ago. Wish more of the Preston and Child books got adaptions since I find them on equal footing with Michael Crichton's works.
You need to read the short story "The Things" by Peter Watts
just goes to show how useless "critics" actually are, its like they flip a coin and start rambling.
Critics are often wrong because, mostly, they're just people - just One person - giving their singular opinion on something that is ultimately up to the individual to appraise for its value. Sci-fi especially is difficult to critique for the masses because it can mean so many different things to so many different groups of people. Some may love the horror aspect, some the suspense, some people dislike any sort of fantastical fiction writing, and still others are in love with exactly what The Thing is.
All the poor reviews mean is that there were non-sci-fi type people critiquing the sci-fi movie, ya know?
Hands down one of the greatest sci-fi horror films of all time IMO.
Yes absolutely terrifying m. Everything about it ❤
The greatest.
Hands down , tentacles up, teeth bared. Weird flower looking thing for some reason.
H. P. Lovecraft would have loved it.
I agree.
A great example of the critics getting it all wrong.
Some of those takes are unbelievable.
@@jmass4207 Ebert is almost always wrong.
People's opinions differ? Who knew?
If you were attending films at the time, as I was, there was no indication that this movie stood out, particularly, or that it would become a classic, but hindsight is 20-20 for every internet rando.
@@OuterGalaxyLounge As it happens I was attending films and the Thing was one I attended. I was blown away the first time I seen it and could not believe the reviews I read afterwords. IIRC only the Irish times had a good review. The problem is a lot of critics review with the eyes of an assumed audience and judge the film not as much for its artistic success as its ability to draw crowds.
“Man is the warmest place to hide” is a great tagline.
2nd warmest. woman
@@heyyoitsmebrianman as is mankind as in humans
@@heyyoitsmebrian😨
@@tidxlu7595 it was a joke, i guess it went over your head
"Deemed a failure.." then quickly becomes THE quintessential Horror/Sci-Fi movie and most highly praised genre film of all time.
John Carpenter movies often tend to be scorned by critics/audiences alike then revered a few years/decades down the line. The Thing is still a prime example of that.
Yep. I was one of those. I didn't like it at all when I saw it as a kid back in the early 80's. Watched it years later and saw what a great movie it is.
Ya it bombed. But now is considered a masterpiece. Which it is.
FYI if anyone spoke Norwegian this would have been a short film one way or the other.
'You get the hell away! It's not a dog it's some kind of Thing,it imitates a dog. It isn't real, get away you idiots!'
"Fair Chance it Bombed as it had the Missfortune of coming out the Same Summer as ET"
Just takes the critics a while to catch up with the genius of the film-making!
In my opinion, The Thing is not only THE greatest sci-fi/horror film of all time, but one of the greatest FILMS of all time. I've rewatched this many more times than E.T. The visual effects still hold up today. The suspense, the music, the visuals - all simply incredible and perfect for what they intended to achieve. These were times when talented, passionate people gave their all for the craft. The days of movies like this are no more.
AAzzzzZZZZZZZZ zAZZZZ
I agree with you. It's in my top 10 favourite films of all time easy. Masterpiece.
Filmmakers used to care about creating something wonderful
These days, they just want to make money as fast as possible
Wowowow come on dude its not as good as Aliens lets get real but def top 3 , could possibly argue that its better than predator. Maybe
what the fuck
One of the greatest horror films of all time. And probably the best practical effects ever. The open ended ending is perfect.
And that MadLad Carpenter wrote the Music too. The OST is his, that's awesome.
@@nillynush4899 Ennio Morricone did the majority of the music, not Carpenter.
When Windows walks in on Bennings being assimilated, he had just come from getting the keys from Gary. When he sees Bennings being attacked, he drops the keys, and you can hear them hitting the ground. It's not brought up again, but I think this explains why Windows went nuts when it was discovered that the blood supply had been sabotaged. He knew he had been in possession of the keys and likely never went back to pick them up in all the excitement. He probably thought Gary or someone else would bring this up and that everyone would turn on him. That's why he runs for the gun cabinet and tries to get everyone to distrust Gary.
Wow. Awesome catch and insight.
Wow! That's a great point!!!!
Best insight on this point that I've heard so far! It makes sense on every level!
I just assumed Blair sabotaged it since it’s implied his rampage was a mix of his own paranoia and the thing possessing him to do things like sabotage the vehicles to build the new saucer
Out of all the John Carpenter films I watched the most, this is one of my personal favorites to me it's one of the greatest horror films I ever seen.
It’s better than Shining
I would love to see Michael Myers Vs. The Thing mostly out of curiosity 😊
This movie is a masterpiece of sci-fi/suspense that had unfortunate timing in 1982. I'm glad it finally found its audience.
Thing > ET
@@zzygyyIt's not even close, E.T. is boring, and safe. It's not even half the movie The Thing is.
"Citizen Kane" bombed on its release in 1941.
Last year it was released in a theater here in NYC & I jumped on the opportunity to watch it on a movie screen. What a treat.
Kurt Russel as ex-Vietnam era helicopter pilot. Superb script lines.
Superb weilding of that period correct Ithaca M37 riot shotgun.
Keith David's very first movie. He was great!
Indeed very watchable!
The script contains three of the greatest lines ever to grace the big screen:
"You've got to be f**king kidding me."
"I know you gentlemen have been through a lot. But when you find the time..."
"Where were you, Childs?"
All spoken by different characters, and all delivered with utter perfection.
A masterpiece from start to finish.
The movie is good too
Totally mate
Except he flying saucer at the beginning, that shot isn't needed and just spoils the reveal of the dog for non Norwegians.
@@platinumspider7859 The same thing happened in Predator.
@jwnj9716 Yes, I have the same complaint there too.
It’s good to know Ennio Morricone’s The Thing soundtrack got its day in the sun within Quentin Tarantino’s own icey hell movie ‘The Hateful Eight’. Life’s kind of poetic like that sometimes.
It plays in the background when Major Warren says to Chris Mannix, “You goin make a deal with this diabolical BITCH?” I noticed last time I watched Hateful Eight and The Thing both in the same week
And Morricone won his lone Academy Award for that film
THE THING is a better movie than E.T.
One of my favourite all time classic movies. Great in the art of overall filmmaking, directing and writing.
And while a lot of talent was utilized to make the movie happen, Rob Bottin at 21 was a force of nature and mastered his craft at such a young age.
Yeah, and he really came into his own in Paul Verhoevan's original ultra violent Robocop. Murphy's death and the unfortunate fate of Kenny at the hands of ED 209 really affected me watching it on VHS at the age of 10.
He was a 1982 21yo though... Dude looked straight 35 at the time.
@@rendarecorrentecomopcoes2336 That beard at 21!!
One of the top 5 to 10 horror films of all time. Carpenter will sadly never get his flowers until he dies. Sick of the academy crapping on horror.
That was the greatest sentence i've ever read
@@noahhamilton5974 much appreciated
Very true!
This movie has some awesome practical effects. It's a shame making them took a toll on Rob Botin's mentality.
His work here is astounding, especially considering how young he was. He created the gold standard in practical horror effects
It was John Carpenter cracking the whip....just remember that.
The studio was giving Carpenter hell.
Probably led to his early retirement too
At least it really paid off
The best horror Movie ever and I'm not exaggerating, the story practical effects the suspense the tension every thing about this movie is a 10/10.
Only one other movie scared me more than this one: Alien. That’s a serious endorsement.
I loved it my second would be alien and then krull very underrated weird and scary as a kid but also interesting I remember the weapon like boomerang star thing
im friends with Norbert Weisser who played the Norwegian at the beginning of the movie, it was fascinating listening to him talk about his rolls in shindlers list, midnight express, breaking bad and THE THING, if you have any questions, im here 👍
How did he get into breaking bad? That and the Thing are exceptional quality product, divided by dozens of years...
A prime example of a story that was ahead of it's time, loathed upon release, eventually vindicated and now seen and regarded as one of the most terrifying and cinematic masterpieces ever made.
John Carpenter's magnum opus.
Long Live The Thing.
It was a remake. The story is from the 50’s.
I worked with a guy who did some of the background shots for The Thing video game. We worked as PC techs for Hewlett Packard at the time. He was programming the game, part-time, while working for HP. He used to complain it was 40 hours work for 20 hours pay. He was basically working 80 hours a week. Some of the lightening effects in the game are by him. Funny how now it’s part of history related to the film. 😃
It's an amazing game with great atmosphere and gameplay 😊
Love that game!
Our last few days in high school were mostly just sitting around waiting for the last day. My shop teacher brought in his vcr and us students gathered around and watched movies on a 19 inch crt tv (1984). One movie he brought in was The Thing. I was blown away by the effects, story and acting. To this day I think it's the greatest horror film ever made.
Watching The Thing (1982) really inspired me to get my life back on track. Such an uplifting movie
just like Big Bad Wolves. such wholesome vibes
My all-time favorite horror movie! What a masterpiece!
This and 1st two alien movies are still the best horror sci-fi I've personally ever seen.
This movie is so good that i don't even know where to start.
It has an atmosphere of its own.
Really gets under your skin, literally.
Also the best ending ever to any movie.
It's just perfect.
Best horror film ever made.
Correct
One of my favourite John Carpenter movies. I saw this for the first time in a cinema and i absolutely loved it
You're so lucky! I was a baby at the time..
Great time enjoy Great thing ❤
Love it
I saw it on VHS, and was so impressed by it that I made a point of going to see both Big Trouble in Little China and They Live at the cinema when they were released.
Neither disappointed.
New retrospective! And it’s on ‘The Thing’ ! Now it’s a holiday 👍
Hell yes - happy holidays !
Greatest sci fi horror movie ever. Period.
Greatest sci fi horror film of the 20th century. Masterpiece.
Ever seen ALIEN?
@@bobhope5114 of course, and this is superior.
Interestingly, I didn’t like it when I first saw it, but rewatched it later and surprisingly enjoyed it
You are one of many like that. I was the same way.
It's pretty overwhelmingly intense, bleak, angry and depressing as well as looking grotesque, it's only when you have time to think about it later that you see how clever it is
@@imcallingjapan2178I’m surprised people find it so bleak. Yes the situation is beyond fucked up and things end up how they do, but there’s an animating spirit of saving humanity through the whole thing. Cognitively you know these aliens are still out there, but that was never an emotional note for me. And you never know for sure what buying humanity time might add up to in the future.
an absolute master piece on every possible level : acting, directing, special effects, scenario, ... all came together to produce the absolute perfect movie.
should be studied for decades to come.
New Oliver Harper video?! Pizza night just got more delicious. What a treat!
This is a masterpiece thriller. I would watch this over ET any day.
Saw it at the cinema in 1982 when i was 15, still a favourite.
One of my favorite movies. I’ve been waiting years for an updated retrospective. I’m glad it finally happened.
The best part about this movie is that the plot moves forward because the characters are smart and rational. Sure, some hindsight shows that they messed up, but they didnt know that at the time - making it relatable.
Thats why i loooove scary movies like this.
The blond chick walking out alone naked in the dark shouting "Billy...?!" just makes me sad that those movies get made and gold like this got put away for them....
I love this movie so much 10/10 Golden stars.
Starlog got it sooo wrong; despite being one of my favorite magazines back in the 80s. I’m glad The Thing is getting its proper respect.
I'm pleased (and possibly a bit smug?) to have been one of many teenagers who saw the film in its original theatrical release and knew it was a classic; I guess it took the rest of the world a few years to catch up.
Critics at the time not liking great movies like this is the reason I always go to see the movie in question. When critics do like something, I don't waste my money watching it.
Congrats, you are the perfect little consumer.
@@INFILTR8US I don't think you understood what I meant with my comment, it's not just about the consumption. Also, I'm not alone in my decision.
I only care if I like the film myself
A critic is just someone else with their own opinion
One of Carpenter's best films and the best showcase for Practical Effects ever put on screen
So many great sci-fi and horror movies in the 80s. The Thing is undoubtedly one of my favorites. The practical effects are a masterpiece. The remake with CGI effects is absolutely shameful.
Amazing video review as always.
The 2011 The Thing was not a remake. It was a prequel and yes I heard there were more practical effects in there at the time but the dum studio wanted cgi.
I heard there will be a new Thing film called Frozen Hell which is a lot closer to the short story and even a sequel to the 1982 version.
R.J Macready helicopter pilot U.S outpost... Absolute legend film.
This film is why i disregard professional film critics
can we please get more James Bond retrospectives
That's why I ignore film critics and just enjoy films
I love Carpenter's Apocalypse Trilogy.
some of the best practical effects ever. i love this movie.
Right about time. No jokes - it's one of my fav Christmas movies! I love everything about it: special effects, story, scares, creature design, casting, characters, dialogues, place of the action.. The Thing, The Alien and The Predator are still my fav sci-fi movies. I couldn't ask for more than Oliver's review right before December! Thanks!
Great Movie
The Thing
Avatar
Aliens
PREDATOR
It’s a masterpiece
"Maybe one day they'll put out the original cut and removing the lousy CGI" 👈That, definitely. Hopefully one day sooner rather than later. I second what you say about the performances, music and the atmosphere. The Thing 2011 was good, but with STUDIO ADI's cool effects, it may have been almost as good as the John Carpenter film.
Speaking of that, I absolutely love how The Thing 1982 is still discussed, especially the ending. This is another video to compliment that magical, timeless film. It will always be one of my favourite horror and Sci Fi films 🙂😊
Also, because of the snow, I link it to Christmas in a dark and weird way LOL! 😅
It'd be great if they remade the game, or created a new one with similar suspenseful and thoughtful trust based elements. Nice one fella 👍
Great game
If only the directors cut of Event Horizon was still available, had it not disintegrated in the Transylvania salt mine
The idea that it had scenes that were overwhelmingly grotesque and horrifying in the extreme just boggles the mind...
@@SamuelBlack84 Sounds cool AF
I don't think Bennings was bit by the dog, he just jumped because he felt it brush past his leg.
Yeah, that was always my impression as well.
Imagine his reaction once he realised what the dog really was 😳
Love Oliver's Retrospectives. The Thing has gained a whole new fanbase thanks to the TH-cam movie fan and reaction community.
A true masterpiece by a legendary director! Who would have thought it was based on a book from the 30's!
Carpenter is one of the all time greats.
I mean if you watched the original Howard Hawks-produced film you would.
@@benwasserman8223 A bit before my time bro
@@paulie.walnuts2838 His filmography is definetly impressive.
I first saw this movie in the early 80s while working at an Arctic DEWLine radar station as a weather tech. In the dead of winter it was just about 30-odd guys hunkered down in the cold and dark (no Sun at all for two months.) A satellite dish aimed barely above the southern horizon brought us HBO, Cinemax and MTV to keep touch with the world.
The vibe of the movie and my own environment then shated a certain synchronicity. I naturally noted the presence of a Stevenson screen, or shelter fot the thermometers, as a realistic touch.
I guess you could say this film touches fairly closely upon a period in my own life in my early 20s. Minus the alien monster, thankfully!
Some say that it's almost a tradition to watch the Thing if you have newly arrived at an Arctic research base 😉
This is like pinnacle Sci-Fi horror, a gold standard almost.
One of the best movies ever made. Have to watch every once and a while 😂❤❤❤😂
An EXCELLENT rendition of the original short story by John Campbell.
And, yes, I do like the 2011 prequel. Not sure why that movie gets such hate.
I just think it had to do with the massive amount of pressure that would lie upon any prequel, sequel, or in this case a prequel bearing the exact same title as the film it was a prequel to.
Combined with some executive meddling behind the scenes, it seemed to just be a needlessly unlucky project to be involved in.
BEST SCI FI HORROR FILM EVER MADE!
💯
Loved this movie and saw it in theaters when it was released. Also love the first The Thing movie before this one that I saw on television as a kid.
Great reviews, one of best movies ever made. I disagree with arguing about the plot holes. Its a science fiction which should fascinate, bring you to another world and keep you always asking and wondering.
This and Aliens are probably my 2 favorite movies ever. I watched this one w/ my dad recently. It never gets old. I also liked the prequel although studio interference w/ the special effects and changing the ending really hurt the movie.
Ah, I forgot... I wanted to re-watch this classic masterpiece! Well, thank you, Oliver, for a nice reminder 👍 This actually could be considered a Christmas horror movie! Just because it just set in a cold and snowy environment, but yeah, yeah, I know it's not really a Christmas movie, I always used to watch it around Christmas time more so than on Halloween season tho for some reason.
Maybe it'll be the next Die Hard - like Christmas movie!
I strongly recomend any fan of the thing to look for the alan dean foster novel which has parts of the original script, and look for the COMPLETE scripts for the cancled sequel series for the syfy channel.
There are very few "perfect" films, but this is one of them
Great job Oliver - as always a must listen for me ❤❤❤
Funny how it could be a failure at the box office but be such a cult classic. It freaked me out when I saw it in '82. I was 12
👆🎯. Watched this in 1982 on a small colour tv. I was 12 and like you it did my head in!
Rob is a categorical legend. Guy is an artist of the highest order and no mistake. Anything worth doing is worth doing well.
Fantastic Movie, one of the very few I consider perfect in any way.
And the Prequel, while clearly not on the same level, is enjoyable. I, too, hope for an Directors' Cut. Matthijs van Heijningen and Studio ADI had the right idea, but were screwed over by the Studio.
On that note, I'd like to mention "Harbinger Down", the low-budget Horror-Flick Alec Gillis made a few years later as a reaction to the enthusiastic response making-of-Videos of the unused practical Effects made for the Prequel recieved from Fans. "Harbinger Down" is basically a Thing-Fanfilm, featuring a very similarily designed Monster realized entirely without CGI. It isnt a Masterpiece, but I kinda admire and apprechiate it all the same.
been waiting on this retrospective, this movie scared the bajeebers out of me as a kid. classic
Great movie to watch on a Thursday or Sunday night. Endlessly enjoyable.
Why a Thursday or Sunday? So oddly specific.
@@thecocktailian2091 It's a 1980s movie, and for some reason I associate anything about that decade with those two particular days.
😂I love Friday
I rewatched the movie few days before Halloween and I honestly forgot how good of a movie it is.
This was a story written in 1933 called "Who Goes There?" by John W. Campbell.
A very faithful version to the book.
I just watched this movie for the first time and I swear I have never seen a movie like this before in my life. The movie just builds and builds and builds never letting you catch a breath. The suspense of which one is The Thing is phenomenal. I feel like it will quickly become my favorite horror movie in the near future on further rewatches and it’s definitely in my opinion John Carpenter’s best work to date.
I've been watching this film on and off for decade's. I remember watching it over 20 year's ago and thinking the same as you. It's well known to be a masterpiece.
Great movie got it on signature laserdisc with Dolby digital
The year prior to this film Rob Bottin's makeup FX for "The Howling" alongside Rick Baker's work on "An American Werewolf In London" was groundbreaking in the Transformation scene.
Russell is a profound actor! One of the best I've ever seen! Put him in anything and he takes the spotlight! Completely believable!
An early Christmas present from the best film critic on TH-cam.
That’s why we shouldn’t be putting plaques with directions to Earth on interstellar probes.
The critics are always useless. I only feel for the audience who missed a chance to experience one of the best horror movies of all time.
Thank you for this retrospective, this is one of my all time favourite movies. I love how in depth you go with the info you gather. I think you should have way more subs than you do.
I saw your post about needing to take a break from TH-cam, but I hope you decide to continue. Great work.
I remember the seeing the kennel scene as a child and being put off this film. 20 years went by and I rewatched the film on a screen in London. Now it's one of my favourite films.
Seeing the dog tearing away at the wire mesh, struggling to escape just broke my heart as a kid
I have watched The Thing almost every night to go to sleep to, so in the past 2 years I've watched it around 350 times I'd say. I still find new things to think about and ponder and the ending still gets me.... truly the best ending in any horror movie and the fact we are still talking about it 40 years later is a testament to it's masterpiece status in the horror genre.
Like Aliens
Pradeter
True masterpiece
03:24 Sheesh, even the film critic's wife thought the movie was "kind of fun".
What does that tell you about the film critic? Probably not much fun at parties.
One of my all time favorite movies
- Babe wake up, Oliver Harper has uploaded!
- I know, I'm already watching
One of my favourite films. Absolutely terrifying. Great special effects, psychological tension.