Huh, totally missed this thread. I guess the average viewer didn't know this was a prequel, and thought it was another remake (something like "The Thing: The Beginning" or something could have helped). Comparisons to JC's version were inevitable. Female lead was nice. CGI was ugh (well known that I don't like CGI).
It was good, gave the backstory, but I feel that it could have been... more. There certainly have been worse prequels/sequels.