The Thing (1982) & The Thing (2011):

Starring: (1982):

Kurt Russell - R.J. MacReady

Wilford Brimley - Dr. Blair

T.K. Carter - Nauls

David Clennon - Palmer

Keith David - Childs

Richard Dysart - Dr. Cooper

Donald Moffat - Garry

Richard Masur - Clark

Joel Polis - Fuchs

Charles Hallahan - Vance Norris

Peter Maloney - George Bennings

Thomas G. Waites - Windows

Director: John Carpenter

Starring: (2011):

 Mary Elizabeth Winstead - Kate Lloyd

Joel Edgerton - Sam Carter

Ulrich Thomsen - Dr. Sander Halvorson

Eric Christian Olsen - Adam Finch

Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje - Jameson

Paul Braunstein - Griggs

Trond Espen Seim - Edvard Wolner

Kim Bubbs - Juliette

Jorgen Langehelle - Lars

Jan Gunnar Roise - Olav

Stig Henrik Hoff - Peder

Kristofer Hivju - Jonas

Jo Andrian Haavind - Henrik

Carsten Bjornlund - Karl

Jonathan Walker - Colin

Director: Matthijs van Heijningen Jr.

Synopsis: (1982):

Scientists in the Antarctic are confronted by a shape-shifting alien that assumes the appearance of the people that it kills. 

                                                        Synopsis: (2011):

At an Antarctica research site, the discovery of an alien craft leads to a confrontation between graduate student Kate Lloyd and scientist Dr. Sander Halvorson.

Review:

I decided to do this review as a combined one for three reasons. #1 because I watched them back to back. #2 because the 2nd film (2011) shows how everything that they find in the 1st film (1982) comes to be. & #3 because it's just easier to do it as one post than two. So the premise of the 2011 film was that it is a prequel to the 1982 film, showing how the original Norwegian team dealt with & discovered the alien being. Then the 1982 film would show the American team discovering their research facility & the destruction that the alien caused. Everything that John Carpenter had brought to life in the original is explained in the new one which I thought was just amazing that the director & staff actually cared about the original film & showed that they were passionate about the series or franchise whatever you want to call it. Now if you watch the original (which I highly suggest you do) then you may think that since it was made in 1982 that the effects might look cheesy or stupid. But for the era the effects, the gore, the layout of all the creatures & props what revolutionary. No one had ever seen anything that was so life like & contained such realism. Some of the effects make current films with low budget CGI look underdeveloped in comparison. In the 2011 film the director decided that he wanted to make this movie look as realistic in our current times as the original did. So they film uses several different techniques of special effects including using a animatronic/CGI composite alien during a major scene in the film & through the current abilities in CGI development, it looks pretty damn good. The 1982 film features a cast of big named character actors well known in the industry including Wilfred Brimley, Keith David &  Donald Moffat. Then you have the main role played by Kurt Russell. To me this is the best role that Russell has ever played. His ability to show strength & confidence while also showing fear & uncertainty really draws your interest in to the film. The 2011 film features a smaller amount of well known American character actors such as Olsen & Winstead, but it features something very important to the movie. The director cast real Norwegian actors to play the roles of the Norwegian scientists & adventurers. They are apparently the most well known actors from their country, many of whom are considered to be the biggest celebrities in Norway (take that as you may, sure it's Norway but that is still an amazing concept). Both films have the perfect amount of action, gore, blood, explosions & acting. I say if you're looking for a good sci fi film watch them both!! Also MAJOR Extra points for Mr. Eko from lost, Adewale having a role in the film. LOST REFERENCE!!!

S.P.R.: 1982: B+/44                             2011: B/42

Acting: 9/10                                           Acting: 8/10

Plot: 10/10                                             Plot: 9/10

Cinematography: 8/10                         Cinematography: 8/10

Intrigue: 9/10                                        Intrigue: 9/10

Extra: 8/10                                             Extra: 8/10