The 2011 movie, "The Thing," is back on Netflix. I liked the original, and I also liked the new version. I'll watch it again.

Comment on the 1982 film: "The Thing was released in 1982 to negative reviews that described it as "instant junk" and "a wretched excess". Critics both praised the special effects achievements and criticized their visual repulsiveness, while others found the characterization poorly realized."

I don't expect too much from films like this, so I'm seldom disappointed. It's just mindless entertainment, often good for a laugh.

EDIT: I thought there was an earlier version - 1951, and James Arness played the Thing.