Review Detail
9.0 4 10
Overall rating
6.8
Audio/Video Quality
6.0
Audio Editing
6.0
Visual Editing
8.0
Narrative
7.0
Enjoyment
7.0
I will preface this review by saying that I haven't seen the original edit, even though I've got it on Blu-Ray. I love the original by John Carpenter, and having just seen the 1951 edit by The Scribbling Man I wanted to check this one out, as there aren't many fanedits of The Thing (2011).
If you've heard about this film, as I had, then you would know there are lots of criticisms around it for being a bit unoriginal. It plays out in a very similar way to the first film, just with computer graphics instead of the famous animatronics that were so lovingly made by the guy who went insane from working on them so much. Just to say that this material is not nearly as clever, and is more of a mindless movie than a cerebral one like the original.
Wraith has done an awesome job with this fanedit, and has said that it was from the DVDs that the source material came from. It's 480p, but is actually very high quality considering it's got a low resolution. Having said that, Wraith is looking to revamp this edit with higher spec source material some time in the future.
It was great hearing the original music in this, and it was placed very well in subtle places that enhanced the narrative. There were a couple of scenes though where the audio sounds as if it's been turned down by around 12 dB compared to the rest of the movie; the scene where the flames are put out after the 'test', and when the dual-faced Thing jumps over a rolling table and traps the dude in a kitchen (very reminiscent of Deep Blue Sea). It was quite jarring, and it could only have come from the edit itself, so I'm not sure if that's an oversight, but it's definitely odd.
The visual editing is top notch, although a weird section again at the scene with the fire extinguishers where the image shifts into a different format seemingly. Not a big deal though.
The narrative was probably improved, but then again I haven't brought myself to watch the original, so I can't comment on it really.
Not as enjoyable for me as the original 1982 version, but it's definitely worth your time watching this if you haven't already. If this were to get another look, and if there were some shots at the beginning - middle of the film trimmed down to save on the time and to keep the story flowing, then this would be much better for sure! I would recommend this edit, but would recommend it more if it was rereleased with higher quality sources.
If you've heard about this film, as I had, then you would know there are lots of criticisms around it for being a bit unoriginal. It plays out in a very similar way to the first film, just with computer graphics instead of the famous animatronics that were so lovingly made by the guy who went insane from working on them so much. Just to say that this material is not nearly as clever, and is more of a mindless movie than a cerebral one like the original.
Wraith has done an awesome job with this fanedit, and has said that it was from the DVDs that the source material came from. It's 480p, but is actually very high quality considering it's got a low resolution. Having said that, Wraith is looking to revamp this edit with higher spec source material some time in the future.
It was great hearing the original music in this, and it was placed very well in subtle places that enhanced the narrative. There were a couple of scenes though where the audio sounds as if it's been turned down by around 12 dB compared to the rest of the movie; the scene where the flames are put out after the 'test', and when the dual-faced Thing jumps over a rolling table and traps the dude in a kitchen (very reminiscent of Deep Blue Sea). It was quite jarring, and it could only have come from the edit itself, so I'm not sure if that's an oversight, but it's definitely odd.
The visual editing is top notch, although a weird section again at the scene with the fire extinguishers where the image shifts into a different format seemingly. Not a big deal though.
The narrative was probably improved, but then again I haven't brought myself to watch the original, so I can't comment on it really.
Not as enjoyable for me as the original 1982 version, but it's definitely worth your time watching this if you haven't already. If this were to get another look, and if there were some shots at the beginning - middle of the film trimmed down to save on the time and to keep the story flowing, then this would be much better for sure! I would recommend this edit, but would recommend it more if it was rereleased with higher quality sources.
User Review
Do you recommend this edit?
Yes
Format Watched
Digital
