eFilmCritic

Ace-of-Stars · Posted: Fri Jul 15, 2011 6:36 am Post subject: "Thing's" to Come

Saw the preview trailer to the new "THE THING" movie a few hours ago; formulated an expressed opinion on it before thinking about researching more into it; modified that original opinion, as the trailer gave several false impressions about the story (which seems to suggest the movie is another "remake/reimagining" rather than the "prequel" other sources indicate that it is).

One opinion has not changed, however... and that involves the inclusion of WOMEN in the cast. And not just "any" women, but the ever ubiquitous "too gorgeous to be taken seriously" designer women! On this, I'm crying, "DOUBLE-FOUL"! (first foul for the inclusion of any women at all; the second for making any women they did include impossibly alluring for the setting)

This is just another example of playing up to certain elements of the masses by needlessly injecting the worn-out "Token Female" concept where the theme & atmosphere of the story does not warrant it!

Am I the only one who feels that this is an afront to the spirit & integrity of the *original classic? (*Note: this is of course assuming one does not consider the James Arness '50s sci-fi offering as the "original")

I also took issue with the idea that there was an "American" team working with the Norwegian camp, which runs inconsistant with the Carpenter version.

Anyone else want to chime in on this?

JaySeaver · Posted: Fri Jul 15, 2011 9:39 am Post subject:

First: I'm likely never going to complain about Mary Elizabeth Winstead being in a movie. Well, maybe in a "this doesn't deserve her" way, but the jury's still out on that.

Second: I tend to favor remakes and sequels doing something different. We've seen John Carpenter's take on the story, which pointedly did not include women, but that's no reason that this one has to do it the same way.
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