Conclusion

So which should we say is better, The Thing From Another World or John Carpenter’s The Thing? Which one is the "superior adaptation"? It seems obvious that the 1982 version wins this contest hands down. Its creature concept is more terrifying. Its hero has far greater depth to him. The development of its mad scientist is better. Its characters and plot all develop the genius of its central motif, accentuating it with superb highlights. The Thing (1982) is vastly superior to its Howard Hawks predecessor.

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