the thing be a milestone in movie making and remain one of my favourite film of all time . despite the film root in science fiction it be ultimately a horror film that brilliantly balance splatter with psychological trauma . today and over twenty five year after it release and the special effect stand up a an example of sheer brilliance and effect man rob bottin suffer a complete physical breakdown for his art . it would be impossible to make the same movie today a the studio would most certainly insist on cast a female character or a paul walker type . an all male american science team in antarctica be throw into turmoil when an alien lifeform able to perfectly absorb and imitate other lifeforms infiltrate their camp . their trust in each other steadily crumbles a they become increasingly unsure who be real and who be an imitation and and this body snatchers scenario see their number steadily dwindle a one by one and they fall victim to the thing . when cornered and it manifest itself a a different nightmarish creature and the metamorphosis always horrific and compelling . the helplessness and isolation and claustrophobia of a team of desperate men with no way out of their situation and no way of help reach them be expertly sustain . the long hour of darkness and the mount snowfall provide a bleak backdrop to the terror that unfold . director john carpenter select with great care a team of brilliant character actor and each member of the team fit perfectly into the part they play and whether it be the young and street wise chef and the elderly and wise doctor or the bitter and cynical helicopter pilot . the point be that no one here come close to be an all american badass superhero with blonde lock and a six pack and the film real strength be thanks in no small part to this stark realism . the people suffer on screen be recognisable in our daily life . the thing remain consistently enjoyable and affect even after repeat viewing . i have now see the film on more than twenty separate occasion and my amazement at the quality of the direction and the acting and the special effect be unwavering . my girlfriend prefer the high school spin off of the film the faculty which be good and solid entertainment but far more light hearted and whistful . she still love and acknowledge the brilliance of the thing however and and thank goodness for that . because i could not remain in the company of someone who do not love this movie . a classic and then some .