UHD Review A Few Words About A few words about...™ The Thing (1982) -- in 4k UHD Blu-ray (1 Viewer)

[Robert Harris]

I first saw John Carpenter's take on The Thing (From Another World) late in June of 1982, projected in 70mm at Gomillion Studios in Hollywood, and the presentation was amazing.

This is one of those film (now in DTS-X) that will clean the lint from one's speaker system, especially in low-frequency passages.

Imagery on Universal's new 4, is wonderful, with nicely resolved imagery, and white whites.

A welcome upgrade from the earlier Blu-ray(s).

Image – 5

Audio – 5 (DTS-X)

Pass / Fail – Pass

Plays nicely with projectors - Yes

Makes use of and works well in 4k - 4.25

Highly Recommended

RAH

 

[Malcolm R]

This is one of those film (now in DTS-X) that will clean the lint from one's speaker system, especially in low-frequency passages.

I'm intrigued. Many films from this time period like to tease, but in the end don't deliver much aural pleasure.

 

[JoshZ]

I'm intrigued. Many films from this time period like to tease, but in the end don't deliver much aural pleasure.

Fidelity of the track is excellent.

It's funny, the DTS:X mix has a couple of really good overhead effects right at the beginning (the spaceship and a helicopter flyover), and then... Well, that's it. The movie doesn't really offer any opportunity for overhead effects after that.

 

[WillG]

Surprised there doesn’t seem to be more discussion about this, but I am now watching the 4K BD on this. And I noticed something that I never noticed before. In the shot right after Macready pulls the fire alarm and all the others are getting up at the request of the flamethrower, do we actually see Copper’s junk?

 

[sbjork]

Surprised there doesn’t seem to be more discussion about this, but I am now watching the 4K BD on this. And I noticed something that I never noticed before. In the shot right after Macready pulls the fire alarm and all the others are getting up at the request of the flamethrower, do we actually see Copper’s junk?

Oddly enough, I'm not as surprised.

 

[Worth]

I think there's not much discussion about it because they finally got it right. There's not much else to say.

 

[TravisR]

I think there's not much discussion about it because they finally got it right. There's not much else to say.

It's fun to discuss a movie I love but I'm happy when there isn't much discussion about a disc because it usually means there's no problems- no news is good news.

 

[Sam Favate]

I finally watched this tonight and I thought the presentation was gorgeous. Vibrant colors, great sound. I can’t compare it to the Blu-ray (never got) but it’s obviously head and shoulders above the DVD. Every 40 year old movie should look this good.

 

[compson]

This is a “Weekend Deal” at Gruv.com (Universal’s on-line store) for $13.99. You get a 20% discount with code WEENHAP20. Shipping is free.

 

[dpippel]

Looks like Fathom will be bringing The Thing back to theaters next month for its 40th anniversary. FORTY YEARS!!!

Fathom Events Bringing Carpenter’s ‘The Thing’ Back to Theaters for 40th Anniversary in June!

This year marks the 40th anniversary of John Carpenter‘s horror classic The Thing, and Bloody Disgusting is planning a celebration of our own with several anniversary articles in the works. Of course, we’re not the only ones celebrating, and we’ve just learned directly from Carpenter himself...

bloody-disgusting.com

 

[Jeffrey D]

I would think this film would really work well in a theater.

 

[sleroi]

I would think this film would really work well in a theater.

I saw this theatrically when I was 12, with only a few other people in the theater, and it blew my mind. I saw it again theatrically in 2000 or 2001 at the Egyptian with a sold out crowd of die hard fans. I sat in the front row, the screen was huge, and it was better than I remembered from 18-19 years earlier.

I'm looking forward to seeing this again on the big screen.

 

[Richard Kaufman]

Saw this film at a "preview" in Manhattan, at the Kips Bay Theater if I remember correctly, at midnight before it came out. It was the summer of ET pablum. Bleh.
No one had any idea what to expect and everything had been kept pretty tight (much easier back then with no internet). People in the theater were SCREAMING. Saw one person lose their dinner. Lots of walkouts at the chest chomping scene. It was great!

 

[Johnny Angell]

Saw this film at a "preview" in Manhattan, at the Kips Bay Theater if I remember correctly, at midnight before it came out. It was the summer of ET pablum. Bleh.
No one had any idea what to expect and everything had been kept pretty tight (much easier back then with no internet). People in the theater were SCREAMING. Saw one person lose their dinner. Lots of walkouts at the chest chomping scene. It was great!

I love “The Thing” and I also love “E.T.”. Pablum, it is not, IMHO.

 

[Matt Hough]

I was twisted into an anxious pretzel during much of The Thing when I saw it during its original run. Theater had a good crowd and most of us screamed quite a bit.

 

[JoeDoakes]

I’m not a big fan of post1965 horror, but I’ve always liked this. It maintains a great tension all the way through. It’s my favorite john carpenter film and kurt russell starring role

 

[Christian D66]

Was a finalist in the Fangoria "Draw The Thing" contest and still have my button and name in the magazine. Saw it opening weekend and kept laughing in wonder at the efx. I could tell the audience hated the ending and then Siskel/Ebert told America not to go see it (can we acknowledge Ebert was a terrible critic although a lovely person?). Even as a 15 year old I knew this should have come out in the fall and witout that terrible parka monster ad that helped kill it over the superior "Man is the warmest place to hide" early ads.

I saw it on 35mm with a print from Universal last night and if you want an informal comparison, I found the 35mm frame shorter (could be the screen, etc.) but much darker and that could be the screen/projector tho it did look great on the big screen while the 4k is much wider and lighter -- look at that jacket -- and it definitely shows in this scene.

 

[John Sparks]

Grocery shopping for the fire station and noticed Charles Hallahan bending over the deli case.
Told him I had just scene THE THING. He turned to me and said, "Yeah, I really lost my head in that one!" We both laughed.

 

[Peter Apruzzese]

Was a finalist in the Fangoria "Draw The Thing" contest and still have my button and name in the magazine. Saw it opening weekend and kept laughing in wonder at the efx. I could tell the audience hated the ending and then Siskel/Ebert told America not to go see it (can we acknowledge Ebert was a terrible critic although a lovely person?). Even as a 15 year old I knew this should have come out in the fall and witout that terrible parka monster ad that helped kill it over the superior "Man is the warmest place to hide" early ads.

I saw it on 35mm with a print from Universal last night and if you want an informal comparison, I found the 35mm frame shorter (could be the screen, etc.) but much darker and that could be the screen/projector tho it did look great on the big screen while the 4k is much wider and lighter -- look at that jacket -- and it definitely shows in this scene.
View attachment 148814 View attachment 148815

The framing on the 35mm projection is way off. They need to set up their plates and lenses properly.

 

[Christian D66]

The framing on the 35mm projection is way off. They need to set up their plates and lenses properly.

I assumed there must be something in the projection. I'm going to let them know as they are great film print fans at the theater. Although I think the shadows on the backs of the crew are more reflective of how it should look than the bright 4k.