Metascore

Mixed or average reviews - based on 31 Critics What's this?

User Score

Generally favorable reviews- based on 169 Ratings

  • Summary: Paleontologist Kate Lloyd has traveled to the desolate region for the expedition of her lifetime. Joining a Norwegian scientific team that has stumbled across an extraterrestrial ship buried in the ice, she discovers an organism that seems to have died in the crash eons ago. But it is about to wake up. When a simple experiment frees the alien from its frozen prison, Kate must join the crew's pilot, Carter, to keep it from killing them off one at a time. And in this vast, intense land, a parasite that can mimic anything it touches will pit human against human as it tries to survive and flourish. (Universal Pictures)

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  • Director: Matthijs van Heijningen Jr.
  • Genre(s): Sci-Fi, Mystery, Thriller, Horror
  • Rating: R
  • Runtime: 103 min
  • More Details and Credits »
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 8 out of 31
  2. Negative: 4 out of 31
  1. Reviewed by: Mike Scott
    Oct 14, 2011
    75
    Yes, it is derivative, but in a year in which films from the 1980s are getting needless remakes seemingly every other week, this one stands out as a rare one that works. That's a good "Thing."
  2. Reviewed by: Joshua Rothkopf
    Oct 14, 2011
    60
    These filmmakers got halfway there, but Carpenter's genius was about more than just a look.
  3. Reviewed by: Brian Miller
    Oct 16, 2011
    60
    As written by Eric Heisserer (Final Destination 5), the new Thing lacks much wit or self-awareness. It's more of a "final girl" formula film, but on ice. Still, why did it take 29 years to create this solid double-feature? And will they unfreeze Russell for a trilogy?
  4. Reviewed by: Rene Rodriguez
    Oct 16, 2011
    38
    There is absolutely nothing in this prequel/remake that improves on the first film or negates it in any way. If you've never seen The Thing - and you really should - stick with the genuine 1982 article and skip this elaborate act of mimicry.

See all 31 Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 56 out of 79
  2. Negative: 10 out of 79
  1. 10
    How do you replicate the horror of John Carpenterâ
  2. I do not recall the original The Thing to be so action-oriented and I believe the age of suspense in movie-making had ended after the 80's, partially because modern-day technology creates images that are far too sharp and leave too little to the imagination but then again, I can't hold really hold that against a movie. As far as modern day science-fiction goes, The Thing is an excellent movie. It has suspense, an interesting cast, good looking CGI monsters and a plot that flows along neatly. It doesn't try to answer any questions, it just wants the viewer to enjoy the ride without putting too much thought in it. I think it could have easily used half an hour more to explain the motivation of The Thing. Expand
  3. Dissapointing. Definately not as good as the original classic. Just watch the original instead. This movie doesnt't have much plot and the Characters and story are forgettable. Expand
  4. So much potential, so sadly wasted. There was nothing original in this film whatsoever (I know it's a remake of a remake, but is it too much to expect some new ideas anyway?), it was completely predictable and obvious. From "shock" moments to monster sounds, nothing came as a surprise. If you've seen the trailer, you can skip the movie. Plot and logic holes throughout and there isn't even any comic relief. It's a good thing they kept it relatively short, so at least it isn't boring. My recommendation: Watch something else. Expand

See all 79 User Reviews

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