The Thing (1982) Takes Shape!*

 

Lock your doors! Bolt your windows! The Thing is near! Watch the skies!

The autopsy!

Burning the Thing

Getting a good look at a burned Thing carcass!

As much as I admire and praise the incredible make-up effects team Bottin and company assembled, I do want to just take a moment to comment on the story. What a depressing conclusion! Really hit me after watching this absolute classic for the millionth time, my first in a few years. Prior to a few years ago, I hadn't watched it since before I ever started this blog. I only own the Universal Studios Special Edition DVD (1998, one of my first DVD purchases) and probably won't ever get the Blu because I'm really fine with just the version I have. I'm always nervous articulating my myriad of disconnected thoughts into some structure for a film I revere and hold in such regard.

While I have been wanting to post something of significance on the blog about the film for some time, "The Thing" (1982) hasn't been treated necessarily as perhaps such a favorite. And it is very much more beloved and highly favored than the Friday/13 films, which have plenty more real estate on the blog than "The Thing". Maybe there is a hesitation, a reluctance to write about a film you consider a treasure in the genre of sci-fi horror. So many summer mornings, afternoons, and late nights with this film. God, how many times did I borrow my uncle's VHS copy from him. I remember looking up at his huge wall shelf, enamored with great curiosity at that box cover art. Who goes there? The face is gone, within the thick coat hood of the Antarctic science researcher, a light shines out telling me that something's not right. At the isolated research center in Antarctica, who among the motley team stuck in that cold global south could be taken by an alien cellular invader(s)?

So while I have been wanting to write about "The Thing", the close I think I got was a brief piece or two. Wilford Brimley died eight days ago, so I felt that might nudge or provoke me into at least watching it again. Considering 2020 has been mostly dedicated to classics, it was a forgone conclusion this film would get a viewing and write-up of some form or fashion.

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