The Thing (2011)

THE THING (2011) - Oct. 15, 2011
Well, there was pretty much nowhere to go but down from John Carpenter's original, and that's definitely where this prequel went.  About the group of Norwegians (and some Americans) who initially uncover the thing before it makes its way over to the camp in the Carpenter version, the film was decent enough, but it never really rises above the level of a mild diversion (and certainly, doesn't even come close to the '80s version).  I think bland is probably the best word to describe this movie -- Matthijs van Heijningen Jr.'s direction is bland (particularly when you compare him to Carpenter), the score is bland, the characters are bland (Mary Elizabeth Winstead is fine in the lead role, but she is just not a compelling presence at all... bland), and the very CGI looking creature effects are bland.  There are definitely some decent moments here, but... meh.  **1/2