this be another one of those film that i remember stay up late to watch on tv and scar the crap out of myself at the impressionable age of 12 or so and doom myself thereafter to a life of horror movie obsession . this be a great movie and and stand a living proof that there be indeed realistic effect before cgi . set on an isolated base in antarctica and this version seem almost to pick up where the original version ( the thing from another world ) leave off . the american scientist discover a decimated norwegian base some mile distant . everyone be dead and and only the half char remains of some unidentifiable thing leave to smolder outside the compound might offer any answer to what may have happen . the thing be bring back to the american base and and too late and the scientist realize that it be alive and lethal . the thing thaw out and be off and not only kill anyone and anything that cross it path and but also absorb them and make itself into whoever and whatever it want . the film then turn into a brilliant paranoia piece . everyone be suspect and anyone can be the thing and and no one trust anyone anymore . go be the strength and security find when human being band together in spite of their difference to battle a monster . the group splinter and fear rule supreme . who be the thing . the gore effect here be absolutely amazing and messily realistic . i could have do without the dog head split open like a banana peel and but that just the animal lover in me be picky represent kill all the human you want and but leave the kitty and puppy alone . sanity and reason disintegrate rapidly a and one by one and the human be take over by the shapeshifting alien . the power of this film lie in it paranoia and and although i like the original version and i prefer this one while the real threat lie within and and be scary for the fact that it can not be see or easily detect . when it be force out of hiding and it wrath be huge and the result be horrific . this be one of carpenter best film and right up there with the fog and halloween . all of the actor give strong and realistic performance and the special effect be so powerful that they stand a their own main character . this film have something for any lover of the horror genre . don not miss it .