Given the age, the majority of grain and dirt present on the print is acceptable. While a few brief shots look rather terrible, the rest is in remarkable condition. Clarity is stunning, and the sharpness allows the viewer to appreciate the finer details in the monsters and sets. Black levels are outstanding, rich and bold in perfect contrast to everything else in the frame. 
Dialogue does sound somewhat faded or scratchy at times. However, the use of surround and positional audio is stunning. This disc handles left to right movement better than many modern films. The trade-off is an almost complete lack of bass. It lacks the pop needed to truly impress, and final explosions do a fine job of handling debris falling around the viewer, just without anything from the LFE channel.
A commentary from director John Carpenter and Kurt Russell begins a small but involving set of extras. The commentary is an older one and most fans have likely heard most of what they have to say. For those who haven’t, both men show a great appreciation for the film and the following it’s gained over the years.
The Thing: Terror Takes Shape deserves a review by itself. This 80-minute documentary is one of the best you’ll find on any DVD. It’s exhaustive, with countless interviews, both current and archived.
Even after covering every aspect of the film there, it’s not over. Short featurettes include looks at the Blair Monster, some outtakes, the flying saucer, photographs, and a look at the cast. This is a fantastic feature set based on the documentary alone. Everything else is a bonus. 
It’s remake time folks. Scheduled for release in 2009 is The Thing. It’s set to be a remake of the version reviewed here, not the 1951 take on the story. Whether or not new technology can overtake the classic practical effects will surely be a huge debate come release time.
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