A MONSTER IN PARIS (2D) 2011 U ANIMATED FANTASY MUSICAL ADVENTURE 90 MINUTES FRA/USA * * *

Let’s face it, 2011 wasn’t a great year for Animation? CARS 2, GNOMEO AND JULIET, TANGLED, KUNG FU PANDA 2, HAPPY FEET TWO, were good; RIO, MARS NEEDS MOMS, RANGO were average; THE ADVENTURES OF TIN-TIN was disappointing; YOGI BEAR 3D was the most Animated film of 2011. ARTHUR CHRISTMAS and PUSS-IN-BOOTS were outstanding. Let’s hope 2012 is the year that Animation can really deliver, here’s hoping! Paris, 1910, Emilie (Voiced by Jay Harrison), a shy Movie Projectionist, and Raoul (Adam Goldberg, FRIENDS, STAY ALIVE), a colourful and eccentric inventor, finds themselves embarked on the hunt for a monster terrorizing citizens. They join forces with Lucille, the big-hearted star of THE BIRD OF PARADISE and Raoul’s extremely monkey to save the monster, who turns out to be an over-sized but very harmless flea, from the City’s ruthlessly ambitious Police Chief (Danny Huston, X MEN ORIGINS: WOLVERINE). Whilst not an Animated masterpiece, A MONSTER IN PARIS (2D) is a good, entertaining, Musically engaging and very unusual, especially the exquisite Paris landscapes, looking like something that the highly talented British Artist LS Lowry drew. But most of all the film presents a monster, a giant flea if you like, called Francoeur that isn’t really a monster, but does slightly cute to cuteness as the monster isn’t particularly cute in any way, but that’s Animation for you, especially as the director is French Animator Bibo Bergeron, who previously directed the endearingly annoying Animated yarn SHARK TALE, back in 2005, featuring the vocal work of Will Smith. A MONSTER IN PARIS is far better and enjoyable and the engaging characters are very likeable, only with Charles the Monkey being the most annoying character or animal in the entire film, so that Raoul appears less irritating in the process. French Singing sensation Vanessa Paradis (Mrs Johnny Depp), lends her breathlessly beautiful talking and singing vocals to absolutely dazzling effect as the colourful surroundings really blends in well and the superb Musical Numbers are truly well-executed and performed, especially by Sean Lennon (son of the late, great BEATLE John Lennon), who captures a true heartbreaking sense of warmth into the trapped, scared soul, as despite his size, isn’t really a monster at all, and emerges as the star of the show, and help Lucille with million of hearts around Paris in the lavish proceedings. A near flawless, funny, slightly scary (THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA, THE INVISIBLE MAN a main influence), charming, exciting, quirky and feel-good Animated Fantasy Adventure yarn, that whilst more grounded on kids entertainment, A MONSTER IN PARIS is perfect viewing for the entire family. Well worth watching.

RICK

THE GREY 2012 15 ACTION THRILLER 115 MINUTES USA * *

Despite it’s vicious nature and visceral thrills, THE GREY is not a Horror film, but an Action Thriller with limited Action, thrills, Adventure and at the worst of times comes across as a Survival Drama that veers on the melodramatic side. It’s an intriguing idea as it often calls to mind THE THING, THE PACK, ALIVE or any Alaska set Survival films or anything involving killer animals. It’s no surprise that’s there’s a lack of tension, suspense and excitement as director Joe Carnahan’s (NARC) last film was the rubbish THE A TEAM (which also started Neeson), which was a big, dumb, juvenile, noisy and just plain stupid Action B Movie, which THE GREY often shares. Set in Alaska: An oil drilling team (lead by Liam Neeson, giving a great performance, also including Dermot Mulroney, THE ASSASSIN, Joe Anderson, THE CRAZIES, Frank Grillo, MOTHER’S Day remake), struggles to survival after a plane crash strands them into the freezing cold wilderness. Soon the team realizes they’re not alone as a deadly enemy is waiting for them: A pack of insidiously savage, hungry wolves who sees the group as trespasses and potential dinner. There’s lots of talking, inbewteen the limited gore, wolf attacks, and doses of excitement, involving the survival group climbing across rope attached to a tree and just extremely pathetic failed attempt at Comedy; After a wolf attack, the group cooks and eats the wolf “Its taste like shit, but it’s probably going to be the last kind of meat we’re going to have for a long time’ or something like that says Neeson. The overall problem is the characterization as it’s non-existence and adds nothing to the plot and therefore some of the characters, especially Anderson’s gobby arsehole is only there to get eaten alive and becomes the perfect wolf fodder. The wolves provides a slight Supernatural sheen as their silvery eyes glow and generates the Horror side of the wilderness which doesn’t evokes into anything truly scary or visually interesting. The Wolf attacks are reasonably well staged, but are limited and a few visceral jolts and gore isn’t hardly anything to get that excited about and therefore will prove tiresome for Horror fans. Because it often veers between Action, Adventure, Thriller and Survival Drama, it doesn’t stay in a particular genre for long. The visually stunning scenery is amazing to look at, but for all its exquisite beauty of the cold, harsh wilderness, its torture to sit through and enough to make the most “die-hard”, Action B Movie Action/Thriller fans fall asleep, and waking up is a big relief, as you wouldn’t have missed much anyway, as it’s mostly dull and grey. Adequate viewing.

RICK

UNDERWORLD: AWAKENING 3D 2012 18 SUPERNATURAL HORROR THRILLER 90 MINUTES USA/CAN HHH

The fourth entry in the popular UNDERWORLD series, involving Vampires Vs Werewolves/Lycans vs hybrids is the weakest in the series so far. But in the overall scheme of things that really shouldn’t matter as UNDERWORLD AWAKENING 3D is an absolute blast to sit through, despite the 3D being absolutely rubbish and useless, as it really doesn’t suit the moody, gloomy, dark, gothic look. After the third instalment UNDERWORLD: RISE OF THE LYCANS, with TOMB RAIDER stunt double and DOOMSDAY’S cool actress RHODA MITRA, returning star Kate Beckinsale returns to her trademark Action role she cemented back in 2003 and what a spectacular return for the actress it is. Kate looks absolutely fantastic in tight black leather, sporting an amazing leather jacket, guns and bad attitude to spare. Newcomers to the Franchise, STORM and SHELTER (now that was an awful Horror film, wasn’t it) Mans Marlind and Bjorn Stern does wonders with a film series that was all centred around dark, Gothic sets, intelligent fights between Vampires vs Lycans and superb acting from a mostly British cast that includes Bill Nighy and Michael Sheen (neither of them had returned, neither had Scott Speedman, only in flashback, as Michael) and the result is a trashy, messy, and highly entertaining Horror Action B Movie. Following the same plot of the original, the on going battle against Vampires vs Lycans vs humans still commences, and this time around original Vampire warrior Selene (Beckinsale) awakens from Cryogenic suspension for 12 years, and escapes from the lap of scientist Dr Jacob Lane (Stephen Ray) in search of her daughter Eve (India Eisley) who the undercover Lycans has their eye on and prevent to stop them so they can immune to lethal silver weapons. Selene teams up with cop Detective Sebastian (Michael Ealy) and Vampire David (Theo James, THE INBETWEENERS MOVIE). Forget the confusing story, and simply focus on all the trashy, gory, exciting, preposterous bloody mayhem on display and you’ll really have a great time watching. This awesomely entertaining Action Horror is geared around the return of gorgeous British actress Kate Beckinsale, looking absolutely fantastic in shoulder length hair, tight black leather, proving that whilst her acting is strongest best in Romantic Comedies/Dramas, she looks the part and delivers the Action goods in Action/Horror films, that also includes other than the UNDERWORLD films, WHITEOUT, and of course VAN HELSING. The brainless energy is generated from the start and never let’s go, as other than the dazzling Beckinsale, it’s all about the gory violence, and impressive Action set pieces, that’s whilst far-fetched, are well-executed in places, and packs an adrenalin punch when needed. The Lycans effects are pretty dismal, but only adds to the bad fun mayhem and madness on display, in this hugely entertaining Horror yarn.

RICK

HAYWIRE 2011 15 CRIME ACTION THRILLER 95 MINUTES USA * * * *

Coming three months after the intelligent Science Fiction Thriller CONTAGION, HAYWIRE is another perfect example of director Steven Soderburgh at the very top of his game (OUT OF SIGHT was his best ever film) and another triumph return to great filmmaking after the boring OCEAN films (the first one was good, the second was better, the third extremely dismal). In a great month of Oscar Winning films (THE IRON LADY, WAR HORSE) and Horror/Sci Fi films, it’s good to see a film that’s half way as HAYWIRE isn’t exactly Oscar Winning material, but in no way can you compare it to THE DARKEST HOUR 3D and UNDERWORLD: AWAKENING 3D. Whilst not in exactly the same league as say PUBLIC ENEMIES (which took the Crime genre to great, exhilarating heights), HAYWIRE is a tough, gritty and exhilarating adrenalin rush that’s best described as a female JAMES BOND/JASON BOURNE meets Angelina Jolie’s SALT. And who can argue with that. Anyway, now onto the plot: Attractive freelance Covert Operative Mallory Kane (dazzling newcomer Gina Carano, very athletic, extremely fast with the best ever stamina) is hired out by her supervisor to various global entities to perform jobs which governments can’t authorize and head of state would rather not know about. A mission to rescue a hostage in Barcelona goes wrong and Mallory is quickly send-off on another mission to Dublin. When the operation goes out of control, Mallory discovers she’s been doubled crossed and must use all her skills, tricks and abilities to escape an international manhunt. Once back in the United States, Mallory must protect her family (Bill Paxton plays her dad) and exact unthinkable revenge on those that have doubled crossed her. Compared to most Crime/Spy films (MISSION IMPOSSIBLE: GHOST PROTOCOL being a rare example of a really good Action film), HAYWIRE is one of the finest female Spy films, that even gives the exceptional SALT a very good run for its money, surpassing ‘said’ film in every way. Whilst slow-paced in some scenes, and not all great performances (Channing Tatum, Ewan McGregor not at their best), HAYWIRE excites and engrosses from the off with some really intense, gripping and well-executed Action set pieces, stunts and lots of intensity and suspense in the process. Michael Fassbender gives another fine performance, even those he isn’t on-screen a lot, but it’s the highly stunning and athletic Gina Carano who gives the best performance, as she’s fantastic in the lead role and shows a lot of promising acting range from a fairly recent newcomer. Soderburgh’s well controlled and deft direction ensures plenty of thrills, violence, Action and originality to be found beneath the absorbing mayhem. Terrific entertainment. Highly recommending.

RICK

THE DARKEST HOUR 3D 2011 12A SCIENCE FICTION HORROR THRILLER 90 MINUTES USA/RUS HHH

The concept of Alien based Sci Fi Horror hybrids like THE DARKEST HOUR 3D is nothing remotely new, but RIGHT AT YOUR DOOR director Chris Gorak at least gives a fresh, fast-paced new spin on a familiar concept and is all the better for it. THE DARKEST HOUR 3D often calls to mind the likes of PULSE (Wes Craven, 2006), SKYLINE and 28 DAYS LATER and is all the more effective for it. For a film that didn’t receive any Critic Screenings in America for fears of the studio not having any faith in the production is soon dashed as it’s nowhere near as bad as it should be and the end result is an enjoyably tacky Sci Fi Horror B movie yarn. Best friends Sean (Emilie Hirsch, SPEED RACER, LORDS OF DOGTOWN) and Ben (Max Mingella, THE SOCIAL NETWORK, THE IDES OF MARCH), are travelling to Moscow on a business deal-breaker and meets up with American Natalie (Olivia Thirlby, JUNO, THE WACKNESS) and Australian Anne (Rachael Taylor, TRANSFORMERS, MAN-THING), and suddenly all the lights and power goes down, plaguing the city into total darkness and cuts off from the outside world. It turns out that invisible pulse life form aliens are at work, with a point three plan for taking over the world and the group must band together to come up with some of the most strangest strategies just to stay alive. The group also includes Skyler (Joel Kinnaman) and Vika (Veronika Ozerova). THE DARKEST HOUR 3D won’t be to everyone’s taste (for completely different reasons, mainly the usual non-noticeable 3D), and most people will absolutely hate it. But with these sort of films you have to take it with a huge pint of salt and looks beyond the negative stuff and there’s some positive stuff to be found, although most people will disagree. THE DARKEST HOUR 3D is effectively well made, makes great use of the isolated, gritty, dusty streets which adds a visual atmospheric sheen to the dull surroundings and the CG effects are impressive, surprisingly considering it does rip off lots of far better ALIEN/WAR OF THE/END OF THE WORLD Sci Fi epics. Whilst I did enjoy it tones and kinds of thinks of it as a guilty pleasure, the lack of any real excitement is a major letdown, as is the cast, who don’t bring much conviction or emotional depth or content to their tedious roles; Rachael Taylor by far gives the worst performance of all, but overall it doesn’t stop the pure enjoyment as you never expect anything less and certainly nothing more with these sort of films, but that really doesn’t matter as I had a real blast watching it throughout. Like I said, if you kind of cliched guilty pleasure is a tension-free, badly acted, and above all tediously overblown mess of a Sci Fi Horror B movie, then THE DARKEST HOUR 3D is for you.

RICK

MISSION IMPOSSIBLE: GHOST PROTOCOL 2011 12A SPY ACTION ADVENTURE 120 MINUTES USA * * * *

The cult sixties Spy TV series get another big, expensive, glossy make-over in this energetic fourth instalment of the classy spy franchise that superstar Tom Cruise (still extremely youthful and performing his own stunts) and director Brian De Palma (CARRIE, BODY DOUBLE, DRESSED TO KILL) started way back in 1996 and the result is nothing short of spectacular. Ethan Hunt (savvy Cruise) and his team, including Benji (Brit Simon Pegg, in terrific Comedy mode), Jane (Paula Patton, DEJA VU), and new addition Brandt (Jeremy Renner, THE HURT LOCKER, THE TOWN, the upcoming THE AVENGERS), are racing against the clock to track down a highly dangerous terrorist named Hendricks (Michael Nygvist), who has somehow gained world access to Russian nuclear Launch Codes and is planning to strike on the United States. That all I’m gonna say about the story, as it clearly isn’t that important. As gripping, exciting and outrageous as can be, this highly charged and adrenalin pumping thrill-ride is the ultimate Action film, as it goes way beyond the norm in terms of traditional Action flicks and the non-stop adrenalin pumping thrills are just as spectacular and awe-inspiring as usual. PIXAR’S Animation director Brad Bird (THE INCREDIBLES/RATATOUILLE), does a superlative job as his first-ever Live Action film is equally as dazzling, fast-paced, inventive and breathtaking. The gadgets galore are absolutely fantastic and would put JAMES BOND out of business and to shame, especially the retina-based video screen which is just awesome; And in many ways the MISSION IMPOSSIBLE franchise was always been about rivaling BOND in every area and in many ways Tom Cruise is changeling JAMES BOND in all his trademark, charismatic glory and Jeremy Renner shows us why he’d been cast for THE BOURNE LEGACY, as his unique Action skills are used to dynamically clever effect and on his way to potential greatness. The explosive Action set pieces are never less than exhilarating and the sights are truly breathtaking; But the best of all are the absolutely amazing stunts. The best being the vertigo-inducing wall climb with the ultra fit Tom Cruise dangling off the Burj Khalifa tower in Dubai, is just an astounding sight for sour eyes, as the whole scene is just absolutely phenomenal and beyond words. In short, GHOST PROTOCOL might not be the best MISSION IMPOSSIBLE film ever, MISSION IMPOSSIBLE III is, but it’s definitely a vast improvement over the Spy/Action genre in general and proves there’s plenty of style and stream. I would most definitely be up for a fifth MISSION IMPOSSIBLE film indeed. Terrific entertainment all round. See it. Highly recommended.

RICK

PUSS-IN-BOOTS 3D 2011 U ANIMATED FANTASY COMEDY ADVENTURE 90 MINUTES USA * * * *

Despite 2011 being overloaded with Animated films, only few have been that good; TANGLED 3D, KUNG FU PANDA 2 3D, CARS 2 3D, with ARTHUR CHRISTMAS 3D the best of all. Now that Crown has been taken off ARTHUR CHRISTMAS, as there’s a really great Animated film, and that’s PUSS-IN-BOOTS, by far the best Animated film of the year by miles and deservedly wears the Animated Crown with pride. I liked most of the SHREK films (SHREK is my less favourite) and aside from Donkey, Puss-In-Boots was and still is the best EVER character in the whole of the Shrek UNIVERSE and what luck that savvy and charismatic CAT gets than his own film and the result is never short of ‘near’ Animated perfection. The only time SHREK THE THIRD director Chris Miller loses his way with the film is the over cuteness with Puss as an orphaned kitty and the slightly annoying vocals with The Hangover and Due Date star Zach Galifianakis. But those flaws can be forgiven and overall PUSS-IN-BOOTS still ranks slightly higher than the enjoyably admirable ARTHUR CHRISTMAS. In this irresistibly entertaining Animated yarn the dashing ginger hero (flawlessly voiced by Antonia Banderas) finds romance with the mysteriously elegant Softpaws (impressively voiced by Salma Hayek) and together teams up with Puss’s ‘blood brothers’ and ex partner-in-crime Humpty ‘Alexander’ Dumpty (Galifianakis) and goes on a magical journey to find the golden goose and steals the magic beans from Fairytale Western outlaws Jack and Jill. You can’t go far wrong with an Animated film complete with lavish Fairytale details and visuals, largely borrowed by SHREK, MOTHER GOOSE style Nursery Rhymes and dazzling Sergio Leone Western landscapes to finest effect, and makes the colourful surroundings less grounded on ‘kids’ amusement and much more on their parents and adults alike, as PUSS-IN-BOOTS is less kids friendly than say HAPPY FEET 2 and way more adult oriented. Far less crude than the SHREK films there’s hardly any innuendos here, but they’re quite a few cat puns that sometimes gets old, but overall used to absolutely hilarious effect, especially the delightfully cute ‘big eyes’ gag. Back to the cuteness; Puss as a kitty is fine, but gets a bit sugary near the end, and isn’t enough to spoil the overall enjoyment. You start to warm to Humpty Dumpty as he isn’t completely a bad guy, just a guy trying to be good at heart. Puss and Softpaws shares some beautiful scenes together, as well as engaging in some arresting set pieces like the ‘dance fight’, the ‘bean stalk’ climb and jumping off bridges. A bright, breezy and energetic Animated Gem. Highly recommended.

RICK

HAPPY FEET TWO 2011 U ANIMATED MUSICAL COMEDY ADVENTURE 100 MINS AUS/USA * * *

Nowhere near as good as the delightful original, but equally as cute, quirky, funny and entertaining. MAD MAX and BABE Australian director George Miller returns as director and it appears Miller might’ve made the same movie, only with a few new additional characters, but in the overall scheme of things it really doesn’t matter as audiences probably won’t notice, especially the target audience, children. But there are plenty to keep parents and adults alike amused and transfixed throughout, even if it is a bit childish and some adults will find Robin Williams’s annoying vocals starting to grate halfway through. The spectacular dance routines and brilliantly written contemporary song mash-ups are intact but nowhere near as brilliantly performed or executed as in the original. HAPPY FEET TWO follows a grown up emperor penguin Mumbles (voiced again by Elijah Woods) who is once again tap-dancing throughout and must keep an eye out for his son Erik (Ava acres) and his friends as they must rescue the rest of their group when an ice shelf collapses, and trapping them in a gorge. Erik hasn’t quite learned how to tap dance yet and lacks his father’s groovy moves, who is constantly looking out for him, and is ashamed, but soon learns important life lessons and understands what his place holds in the world. Also there’s another story with friends Bill and Will the Krill (Matt Damon, Brad Pitt) who cracks constant jokes whilst trying to discover what their purpose in life is. So there are lots of messages throughout the entire film. Technically, there’s nothing wrong with the film; The Animation is extremely beautiful to look at, and the flawless detailing of the Antarctica and features of the penguins, eagles, whales and the puffin are extremely authentic and stunning to look at. But the cuteness does tend to annoy, as penguins are cute, but that’s the thing with most Animated films, they’re never without cuteness and cuteness does have a habit of really grating the senses. The vocal work (minus dreadful singer Pink as Mumble’s wife Gloria) is sensational, including THE MATRIX Hugo Weaving as Noah the Whale; Matt Damon and Brad Pitt’s hilarious double act and of course Robin Williams’s irresistibly endearing vocal work as both Ramon and Lovelace. Best of all is NIGHT AT THE MUSEUM 2 and THE SIMPSONS’S Hank Azaria voicing the charismatic Swedish puffin Sven The Mighty and you can’t fail not to get bored listening to those actor’s terrific vocals, I certainly can’t. Not brilliant, but feel-good, family entertainment of the highest order.

RICK

HUGO (2D) 2011 U FANTASY DRAMA ADVENTURE 120 MINUTES FRA/USA/UK * * * * *

HUGO isn’t your typical Martin Scorsese film; For a start its isn’t violent or features the Mafia; Secondly it’s about family and filmmaking; Thirdly or lastly, it’s a children’s film. Anyway does all of above really matter? No, it doesn’t! It’s a refreshing change to see Scorsese tackle a film without blood or gore, as HUGO seems the perfect fit for The RAGING BULL and GOODFELLARS director as his directorial sensibilities can’t be faulted technically here as the material suits Scorsese down to a fine art, as Scorsese’s films weren’t always about violence, but needed violence to hammer home its message. HUGO doesn’t need that to get to the heart of the message and by the end of the film its clear what the message is. But that would be telling? Anyway HUGO (I Saw the 2D version) is an outstanding achievement in Fantasy filmmaking and sets another high benchmark for future Fantasy films to follow. Until then, HUGO is by rights the ultimate Fantasy film. Based on the Award Winning best-selling novel by Brian Selznick, HUGO follows orphan boy Hugo Cabret (sensational Asa Butterfield, THE BOY IN THE STRIPPED PYJAMAS) who after the death of his father (a very brief Jude Law, always good value) is sent to live with his drunk uncle (a very uncomfortable Ray Winstone, minus the C word) in the walls within the clock tower overlooking the Paris railway station in 1931. LET ME IN and KICK-ASS’S superbly talented child actor Chloe Grace Moretz (back to fantastic form after her dismal performance in the uneven Crime Thriller TEXAS KILLING FIELDS) plays Isabella, the girl Hugo befriends in order to find the missing parts for mechanical man his late father has left for him. Isabella’s Grandfather George Melies (an amazing Ben Kingsley) was a magician turned filmmaker and made over 100 films, dating back as the early pioneer of early cinema, such as the cult Silent Sci Fi Classic A TRIP TO THE MOON, with that iconic picture of the Moon with a telescope on the right eye. The reconstruction of Melies’s films are truly fantastic and amazingly and magically brought to life with Scorsese’s trademark visual style and old-fashioned flair. A classy British cast provides the talent, with Kingsley taking centre stage and overall gives the best performance, with the wonderfully talented Butterfield and American Moretz sporting a terrific British accent slightly behind. Also Sacha Baron Cohen gives a wonderfully zany performance as the injured train chief inspector sporting a wooden cast on his leg. Beautifully designed, lavishly lite and exquisitely photographed, HUGO is an absolutely magnificently looking film that’s outstanding on every single artistic level. Martin Scorsese’s wonderfully surreal tribute to the Golden Age of early filmmaking is a flawless Fantasy masterpiece that shouldn’t be missed on any account.

RICK

THE THING (REMAKE) 2011 15 SCIENCE FICTION ACTION HORROR THRILLER 105 MINUTES USA HHHH

Say whatever you want about THE THING 2011 (it’s more a remake than a prequel), but you can’t deny it does improve upon John Carpenter’s glossy 1982 version (also a remake) of the Christian Nyby and Howard Hawks’s 1951 version (based on the novel by John W Campbell) THE THING FROM ANOTHER WORLD. The original was a good, solid product of its time; Carpenter’s version was an intelligent but rather flawed Sci Fi Horror with a few leaps out of the Alien book, if you catch my drift. Debut director Matthijs Von Heijningen wisely choose not to film his version in 3D (some of the gory scenes would’ve been great in 3D) as these days there’s quite a lot of these sort of Sci Fi/Horror/Thrillers without 3D and this gets on fine without the use of sharp claws sticking out and blood splattered out of the screen. This fantastic remake follows along the same lines, but improves vastly on the setting, establishing the origins of when the creature came from and mostly, if not importantly, the characterization. FINAL DESTINATION 3 babe Mary Elizabeth Winstead, very good here, plays Kate, a paleontologist who is asked to join a group of Norwegian scientists at an Antarctica research base, when an alien life form is found rooted in the ground. Once thawed, the evil sharp-shifting creature causes paranoia amongst the group (Eric Christian Olsen, Joel Edgerton provides the creature fodder) on a grand scale, messing about with their heads and then eventually causes bloody mayhem that soon spirals out of control. It’s very surprising that not many critics actually liked it, which is a great shame as I personally think it’s fantastic; a proper, no-nonsense, gripping and satisfying hybrid creature feature that doesn’t attempts to be something it’s not and that’s an outstanding Sci Fi Horror masterpiece, which luckily it isn’t. That’s not to say the film’s perfect, it isn’t; Some of the acting isn’t very good, but there’s limited flaws here, but nothing that’s fatal or anything that would spoil the pure enjoyment of this exhilarating thrill-ride. Heijningen’s directs with deft control and has a neat visual eye for stunning visuals and a comfortable atmosphere to keep the audience transfixed and then piles on the enjoyably gruesome and grisly gore that results into awesome special effects, especially when ‘The Thing’ morphs itself into another host and turns into a two-headed creature out for bloody revenge. The best scene of all is the creepy paranoia ‘open your mouth’ scene that’s really tense and keeps you alert and on alarm duty as it builds to an eerie, claustrophobic and scary last half an hour and the payoff is effectively chilling in the extreme. A welcome surprise and an efficiently well made and entertaining Sci Fi Horror. Fantastic. Highly recommended.

RICK