How does the 2011 ‘Thing’ stack up against the ’82 original? By Kara Warner Mary Elizabeth Winstead and Joel Edgerton in “The Thing” Photo: Universal Pictures The subject of film remakes and reboots has become a sensitive one. With two variations on that theme opening at the box office this weekend, “Footloose” and “The Thing,” respectively, there are very defined, conflicting opinions on Hollywood’s continued obsession with churning out new takes on old classics. With regard to “The Thing,” a prequel to John Carpenter’s ’82 film, the critical conversation is especially opinionated, given the fact that the horror community takes its films very seriously and that the original is so beloved by fans. Some critics were satisfied and entertained by Dutch filmmaker Matthijs van Heijningen’s take on the film, along with the performances by Mary Elizabeth Winstead, Joel Edgerton and Ulrich Thomsen; some were not. Without further ado, let’s dig into the fleshy meat of “The Thing” reviews! The Story “For this prequel, first time feature director Matthijs van Heijningen Jr. puts a female (Mary Elizabeth Winstead) at the center of the fray, flanks her with several male members (pun intended) of a Norwegian scientific team, throws a phallic, mouthy monster into her path, adds and touch of paranoia, and presto! It’s a scary movie set in a place where hell actually does freeze over. It’s no secret that The Thing 2011 leaves off exactly where the 1982 version picks up and it’s a nice touch that Ennio Morricone end credits song — Humanity (Part II) — is used to complement Marco Beltrami’s score.” — Staci Layne Wilson, Horror.com The Performances “While this ‘Thing’ features a low-impact cast full of unknown Norwegians, Winstead (Kate) makes an appealing star, ably supported by Joel Edgerton in the pseudo-Kurt Russell role of a tough-guy helicopter pilot. (His ass-kicking sidekick is played by Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje, otherwise known as ‘the black guy who doesn’t get killed first.’) Thomsen is in fine form as the unctuous and untrustworthy scientist who may doom the entire world to being chewed up and eaten, and J
