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The Thing

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The Thing

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Summary

Science-fiction horror starring Kurt Russell. In the Antarctic, a team of American scientists discovers the remains of a spacecraft near an abandoned Norwegian research station. While investigating the expedition's fate, the Americans come under threat from a terrifying alien organism.

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Review

A star rating of 4 out of 5.

Alan Jones

John Carpenter's remake of Howard Hawks and Christian Nyby's influential 1951 creature feature is a special-effects extravaganza of the highest order. In fact, the updated screenplay by Bill Lancaster (son of Burt) sticks more closely to the plot of the classic John W Campbell short story that inspired the original movie, as the occupants of a polar research station (which include Kurt Russell and A Wilford Brimley) are menaced by an alien with the ability to change its shape and impersonate its enemies. Carpenter stresses the slimy ET at the expense of characterisation, mood and practically everything else, yet it's precisely this one grisly facet that makes it such compelling science fiction. Even Alien can't hold a candle to the nightmarish images on offer here, so be warned.

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8.2/10

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Credits

Cast

rolenameMacReadyKurt RussellBlairWilford BrimleyNaulsT K CarterPalmerDavid ClennonChildsKeith DavidDr CopperRichard DysartNorrisCharles HallahanBenningsPeter MaloneyClarkRichard MasurGarryDonald MoffatFuchsJoel PolisWindowsThomas G Waites

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Crew

rolenameDirectorJohn Carpenter

Details

Theatrical distributor

Universal

Released on

2009-09-11

Languages

English | Norwegian

Guidance

May be edited for language and violence.

Available on

video, DVD and Blu-ray

Formats

Colour

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