The Sci-Fi Horror Prequel On Netflix With Controversial Special Effects
The 2011 sci-fi horror The Thing is currently streaming on Netflix. Directed by Matthijs van Heijningen Jr., the movie serves as a prequel to John Carpenter’s 1982 film of the same name. The movie, starring Mary Elizabeth Winstead and Joel Edgerton, takes place at a research station in Antarctica and explores the events leading up to the discovery of the creature that wreaks havoc in the 1982 film.
2011’s The Thing is available to watch on Netflix.
Set in 1982, The Thing begins when a group of Norwegian researchers discovers an alien spacecraft buried in the ice of Antarctica. They also find a mysterious alien creature that appears to be dead. Dr. Sander Halvorson (Ulrich Thomsen), the head of the research team, recruits paleontologist Dr. Kate Lloyd (Mary Elizabeth Winstead) to help excavate the extraterrestrial discovery.
As they unearth the creature from the ice, they soon realize that it is not dead but in a state of hibernation. When the creature awakens and begins to wreak havoc on the research station, the team must confront a horrifying truth – the alien is a shape-shifter that can mimic any living organism it comes into contact with.
While some praised the film’s practical effects and attempts to maintain continuity with the 1982 version, others found it lacking the tension and innovation of its predecessor.
Trapped in the remote and freezing location, Dr. Lloyd and the Norwegian team must battle not only the deadly and ever-changing alien but also the growing paranoia and suspicion among themselves as they struggle to survive and prevent the creature from reaching civilization. The Thing received mixed reviews from critics upon its release.
While some praised the film’s practical effects and attempts to maintain continuity with the 1982 version, others found it lacking the tension and innovation of its predecessor. The lead actors’ performances, particularly Mary Elizabeth Winstead, received some praise, but overall, 2011’s The Thing was deemed inferior to John Carpenter’s classic.
The Thing underperformed at the box office, grossing approximately $31 million against a production budget of approximately $38 million. The film directly links to John Carpenter’s version by showing the aftermath of the Norwegian research station’s encounter with the alien. The prequel also includes recreations of some scenes from the 1982 film, providing a direct tie-in between the two movies.
The 2011 Film Pays Tribute to the Original
The Thing utilized practical effects wherever possible, intending to pay homage to the original However, some CGI enhancements were also incorporated, which drew criticism from fans of the creature designs created by Rob Bottin for the 1982 film. Bottin’s designs were a highlight of the movie and contributed to its lasting impact on the horror genre.
Fans of the original The Thing appreciated the tangible and realistic look of the practical effects, which helped create a sense of dread and terror. The alien transformations and creature designs were achieved through practical makeup, animatronics, and puppetry, which gave the film a visceral and authentic feel.
The integration of CGI with live-action footage was criticized for being less seamless, making it more obvious when computer-generated effects were used.
When the 2011 prequel was announced, there was considerable excitement about the potential to see more practical effects that could enhance the continuity and atmosphere of the franchise. However, the CGI effects in The Thing prequel lacked the tactile and realistic quality of practical effects. As such, viewers felt that the computer-generated imagery looked artificial.
Moreover, the integration of CGI with live-action footage was criticized for being less seamless, making it more obvious when computer-generated effects were used. It’s worth noting that some CGI was necessary for 2011’s The Thing to enhance particular scenes and create effects that would have been difficult or dangerous to achieve practically.
However, the backlash primarily arose from the perception that the use of CGI was a missed opportunity to build on the legacy of the practical effects in the 1982 film. Unlike the original, The Thing (2011) did not have a significant impact on the horror genre. While it attempted to evoke the atmosphere and sense of paranoia from the original, it failed to capture the same level of acclaim and recognition.
Instead, the 1982 version continues to be regarded as a groundbreaking and influential work in the horror genre. By comparison, 2011’s The Thing is typically considered a forgettable franchise addition. Interestingly, the beloved 1982 film is a remake of the 1951 movie, The Thing from Another World, which had a cameo in John Carpenter’s movie.
The characters can be seen watching the classic film on television at the research station. Fans who may have missed The Thing prequel or are curious about the CGI can catch the movie on Netflix.
