The Thing vs Predator

Which single alien invader film is better?

Both basically have all male casts except Predator briefly features Elpedia Carrillo.  No women at all in The Thing.  But maybe you think Predator is more macho due to Arnold's physique?  However, The Thing has Wilford Brimley's mustache, which has a manly life of its own.

The Thing has an edge in paranoia since anyone can be The Thing at anytime and is analogous to a commie takeover.  But the Predator turns "invisible" and sees through an infrared spectrum, and, we, as viewers, in turn, get to see the jungle and glowing shapes of Jessie Ventura through that lens as well.

Both feature grand style special effects with the laser endowed Predator and the shapeshifting Thing.  

The Thing begins by Kurt Russel destroying a computer chess game out of frustration.  Predator begins with Arnold and co. destroying a guerrilla rebel village base just for a thrill while smoking a cigar.

Predator has a great orchestral score, The Thing features John Carpenter pounding away on 80's synths.

The Thing is in Arctic cold, Predator is in the tropical jungle.

The Thing has Keith David who is credited for the longest in-film fight scene of all-time against Rowdy Roddy Piper.  But Predator has Carl Weathers, who, you know, fought Rocky and Ivan Drago as Apollo Creed.  Now there's a fight to be reenacted, Childs vs Apollo.

Now it is up to you, which way western man?

These are two of my very favorites. They’re both essentially flawless in what they set out to do.

I went with Predator because I’ve loved it for longer. But I rewatch them both about once a year or so.

The Thing. I even have a MacReady action figure.

BaleMaster wrote:The Thing.  I even have a MacReady action figure.  

But do you have a MacReady beard???

Pethead wrote:

BaleMaster wrote:The Thing.  I even have a MacReady action figure.  

But do you have a MacReady beard???

But do you have MacReady eye-liner?????

(I voted for The Thing.)

I love Predator, and it's nearly perfect.

The Thing is my all-time favorite and is perfect.

Pethead wrote:

BaleMaster wrote:The Thing.  I even have a MacReady action figure.  

But do you have a MacReady beard???

Nope. Just unsightly white stubble.

Little did Wilford Brimley know at the time that the real enemy wasn’t the alien.



It was diabeetus.

It's hilarious to me that he's 46 years old at the filming of The Thing!

Has anyone read the source story, Who Goes There?

scottmitchell74 wrote:Has anyone read the source story, Who Goes There?

No, but I did read the "Alien" novelization by Alan Dean Foster.  

It had some interesting things in it that were not in the movie, such as the fact that the Xenomorph was keeping people in cocoon, barely alive.  In fact Ripley finds Dallas in one and he begs her to kill him.

Both movies are among my favorites ever.  I even like some of the sequels and prequels.

That said, The Thing wins for me.   The special effects are just mind-blowing and the tense atmosphere is 2nd to none.

Constantine wrote:

scottmitchell74 wrote:Has anyone read the source story, Who Goes There?

No, but I did read the "Alien" novelization by Alan Dean Foster.  

It had some interesting things in it that were not in the movie, such as the fact that the Xenomorph was keeping people in cocoon, barely alive.  In fact Ripley finds Dallas in one and he begs her to kill him.

That scene with Dallas is a deleted scene from the film, as well.