The Thing (1982) Fathers Day AKA Freak The Kids Out Day

Been slowly introducing the classics to my two children and what better excuse is there than Father’s Day. Nothing beats family time, to me, than watching a movie I so loved as a teenager and hopefully passing on it’s “greatness” to another generation. Predator, Total Recall, Rambo, Aliens have all been unleashed on them but this time it’s John Carpenter’s The Thing and quite frankly this one is a freak show.

So I was very much looking forward to seeing and hearing their reactions when the special effects party is unleashed on screen. Oh how we laughed with shocked faces as the outrageous twisting of torsos and skeleton bones fused together whilst morphing into some of cinemas most ridiculous abominations and awesomely demented monster creations.

I’m sure they contemplated shouting out WTF and I wouldn’t of minded, it’s really the only way to describe the situations when first observed. This is proper special effects, none of this CGI rubbish, and jeepers man! did they go to town with their imaginations.

So what did they think and how was it rated out of 10?

Son Kofi (14 years old) said he thought it was a bit over the top but generally thought it was good especially liked badass Kurt Russell.  Liked the Antarctica setting and the UFO but I feel he thought it was a touch too crazy. He gave it 6.5/10

Daughter Nyah (16 years old) Laughed at the over the top effects. She has been brought up on the Alien franchise, so roughly knew what to expect. Said she got a little lost on the different characters but on the whole liked it but didn’t think it was as good as Alien. She gave it 7.5/10

Me, well it was probably my fourth time watching but I hadn’t seen it since the late 90’s. It had originally been sat on the shelves at the local video rental store during the mid 80’s when the cassette cover first caught my eye. Having recently watched Alien when it was first broadcast on TV in the UK around 1984. The thought of more “alien” sci-fi adventures had been excitedly nagging at me.

Still today science fiction is my favorite genre. So I was super excited to watch it again and it didn’t disappoint. Those cold arctic temperatures almost freeze you through the screen. Seeing Kurt Russell wearing those mismatched clothes, hat and snow blindness glasses whilst slamming back J&B Scotch Whiskey brought massive smiles to my face.

Out of the many brilliant scenes, I still have a weird fondness for the blood heat test. When the monster literally explodes right next to the poor guys tied to their chairs. It is still an almost laugh at the situation “Oh my fookin gawd” as you jump to the edge of your seat witnessing the pure horror of the insanity of it all. What a scene.

So along with a couple of bottles of Sierra Nevada Pale Ale and a bottle of Sweet Baby Ray’s Barbecue Sauce and some Beef Jerky, sitting down and watching The Thing made it a perfect day.

10/10

I’m sure the seeds have been sown for them to re-watch it in their adulthood. Fingers crossed.

Further Reading

The Thing From Another World (1951)

The Thing (1982) IMDB