Editors' Picks

For those fans of John Carpenter�s 1982, "The Thing," expecting a unique new twist to the 2011 incarnation, you may be disappointed. Norwegian director Matthijs van Heijningen Jr. undoubtedly does a fine job in bringing his vision of the cult classic (originally debuting in 1952) to life, and the audience will not be lacking for pulse-quickening action. However, any chance that the director�s interpretation exceeds the 1982 version is quickly dissipated. Rather than simply rehash the plot which is remarkably similar to the 1982 film, I will concentrate on a few salient points about the film.

Somewhat refreshingly, this time around, female cast members are introduced, especially Mary Elizabeth Winstead who plays Kate Lloyd, Columbia University graduate student specializing in paleontology. Winstead�s subtle beauty and oftentimes stoic demeanor lend her character a gravitas that is both appealing and seductive. She quickly takes charge of the camp once the �thing� has escaped and been devouring Norwegians. Her ingenious �cavity-search� (no, not that kind of cavity search!) is one scene of the film in which van Heijningen utilizes a creative spin on one of the Carpenter film�s most dramatic and gut-wrenching scenes.

Obviously, the CGI effects are a splendid update from Carpenter�s, at the time, groundbreaking special effects. The monster in all its scenes is a vivid reincarnation of Carpenter�s with all its resplendent gore and grotesque viscosity. Some critics have argued that we see too much of the �thing,� detracting from the film�s suspense and terror. What we cannot see (as we learned in Spielberg�s Jaws) is even scarier than what we can. But the audience does not need to fear being less than terrified at each appearance onscreen of the �thing� thanks to the monster�s terrifying renditions.

It is interesting that this film has come out in the post-9/11 world in which those who appear just like �us� can be deemed �others� just as quickly. "The Thing" reminds the audience that appearances are illusory and can potentially hide deadly aspirations. For those who have never seen the 1952 or Carpenter�s version, the 2011, "The Thing" delivers what is expected, though not in an entirely novel fashion.

About the Author: Bill Jones graduated California State Long Beach with a degree in English and has been teaching community college part-time in the southern California area for the last several years, specializing in composition and rhetoric. Currently, he is working as a writing instructor for his own tutoring company in the Los Angeles-area. Bill hopes to publish articles online and in print media to further a career move into the editing and publishing world.