The Thing vs The Thing

[Gorn Captain]

I just saw the 2011 version of The Thing.
Even though it's not a bad movie, it's quite entertaining, I can't help but say "so what?"
If I had never seen Carpenter's version, I'd find this new one fantastic. But with just about every scene, I find too many similarities between the two, and Carpenter ends up winning, because of his skills as a director, and the fact that he did it first (I'm not taking into account the 1951 Thing), and that he did it without CG.
Even the lead actor looks a lot like Russell, even down to the hood that he wears.
The lead scientist is typically blind to all dangers and only wants the glory of the find. Nothing new there.
And I just cannot stand faults in logic.
The Thing is a shapeshifter. When it is going after Kate in the corridors of its own ship, all of a sudden it can't adapt anymore, can't get through narrow spaces, can't shed a smaller piece to send after its prey. Stuff like that bothers me. It could do all this a moment ago, but not anymore when it's really needed. Hm.

I also can't understand why they never used the perfect way to find out who the Thing is. They simply needed to play a game of Twister, and whoever won would definitely be The Thing, right? Logic, people, logic...

[Bruce Banner]

I like the fact that they made it a prequel to Carpenter's movie rather than just a straight out remake, but there were certainly a lot of missed opportunities regarding what they could have done with the story of the Norwegian team originally finding the ship and its occupant.

[MIB41]

Personally I never understood why they didn't proceed with a SEQUEL to Carpenter's classic. Alot was left up to the viewer to decide. And there was no guarantee the Thing was dead. They could have brought back Kurt Russell as MacReady years later who discovers the creature had survived. And then you could add a whole new wrinkle to the classic from there. The prequel could only possess so much suspense because you already knew their fate. So while it was done pretty good, the cat and mouse chase borrowed from the Carpenter classic was ineffective since you already knew the cat wins.

[babycyclops]

The monster effects were excellent in the new Thing, there are a couple of clips on youtube showing the sculpting and fabricating of the on-set things which are fascinating.

I basically think that it's not fair to compare it with Carpenter's film, which I consider a near masterpiece.

Kurt Russel and Keith David were both such strong characters in the film, and I struggle to really remember any of the characters in the new prequel, other than the fact that one was female and another was portrayed by an Aussie actor.

[Bruce Banner]

Dark Horse put out a comic book sequel series to Carpenter's Thing around 1991... it was actually pretty good.

[Nostalgiabuff]

i liked the new movie. agreed, it is not as good as the original but then we knew what to expect this time around as where with Carpenters movie you did not. gra lead in for the Carpenter version though

[Captain_Dan]

I havent seen the new Thing yet, but after reading a few of your posts, I may give it a shot. Im such a Fan of the Carpenter version I really never gave this one a shot. I may rent it tonight.

[Gorn Captain]

Kurt Russel and Keith David were both such strong characters in the film, and I struggle to really remember any of the characters in the new prequel, other than the fact that one was female and another was portrayed by an Aussie actor.

I had the same trouble on the first viewing of this prequel.
All those crazy Swedes...I mean Norwegians...

I watched it again a day later, and once you start telling them apart, it gets more entertaining.
I think the characters in Carpenter's movie were better and more individual.

I wonder what they could do for a sequel?
Thing in the City?
I always envisioned the sequel to Carpenter's Thing to start with someone finding the two remaining members, frozen solid. Somebody brings the bodies inside for autopsy, and here we go again!

[Steeler80]

After reading through this thread, I may have to give the movie a shot. I had gotten in my head that it was a remake of Carpenter's version and I couldn't see a point in watching it. If it's a prequel, it might be worth a look.