The Thing (2011) Dir. Mattijis van Heijningen Jr.
R 103 mins.

I watched the Thing (1982) on the advice of my parents way back when. Probably 12, 15 yrs. ago. I liked it, I suppose, the only images that stuck with me though, were that of the opening "chase". The helicopter flying low to the ground, and some guy firing at a dog with a high powered rifle. That, and some scene involving a detached head (how it was seperated from it's body, I don't recall) sprouting "legs" and taking off, much to the bewilderment of the onlookers. Flash forward a decade or so, and Hollywood's makin' another prequel. What a surprise right? So, not expecting too much and having not watched the original in some time, I rented the new one.
 Joel Edgerton (Warrior) is really the only actor that I can readily place, some other somewhat familar faces appear, and we're off, charting already explored territory.  The Thing doesn't offer too much in the (one of us isn't really us) number. There's some intensity, some paranoia, some frustration as you watch the typical stubborn fools make all the wrong decisions, while the one, rational character with common sence watches it all unfold helplessly. We've all seen this before. The movie finishes as expected, and you're left feeling "yeah, that was alright, I guess. Wait a moment or two for the credits to reveal a direct tie-in to the original.
 Then I watched The Thing (1982), and holy shit! It's all there, the axe in the wall, the guy in the chair with slit arteries, the block of ice with the missing inhabitant, the "melding guy/thing" outside. All the shit Mac (Kurt Russell) and the Dr. find in the beginning of the '82 movie, it's all there. They set it all up precisley in the prequel.
 The Thing (2011) was actually a satisfying prequel. And we know it's hit or miss with sequel/prequel these days, what with Hollywood completely running out of ideas and all,but this worked. Especially if your a fan of the original, watch this then the original. It's a blast. If you're a fan of the original, this is a definite must see. If you own the Thing (1982), buy this. Complete the story. At least until Hollywood makes a sequel.