TheDirector451 John Carpenter's 1988 film "They Live" is one of the most original made films I've ever seen. It's very similar to almost all of his other work, the usual anti-hero saving the world by doing a good deed for the hell of it or It's usually for survival. John Nada is the main character who is played by Roddy Piper, we don't hear the hero's name at all, but it is implied that his name is Nada. Anyway, Nada starts off as a drifter looking for a simple job for simple cash to survive. He stumbles upon a homeless camp along with some construction work with Keith David, which ends up going well until Nada develops a habit of getting curious with the church across the street distributing something odd. When the truth is revealed, things get cool. Like not having enough bubble gum, so you start kicking ass type of "Cool". This movie is the perfect documentary for not only what it's story is telling, but if you want a sick unpredictable action thriller that you can watch over and over without getting bored then this movie is it.. This movie to me is a cult classic that everyone should experience. One of my all time favorites. This movie has great fight scenes, great practical effects, amazing music, and Roddy Freakin Piper with Keith David as his sidekick. 10/10 "This one, real fuckin' ugly!"

ants-09725 I don't usually write reviews but i must warn people about this movie. I am a fan of John Carpenter, The Fog and The Thing are both excellent movies, this is terrible. The title of the movie.. They Live maybe could have been "They live along side us but they arnt really doing anything". The film just doesn't go anywhere, i wish i had watched the x-files instead.Stay away!!!

CinemaClown A biting satire of modern society that actually makes more sense today than it did at its time of release, John Carpenter's They Live is a cleverly envisioned, intricately layered & rivetingly told sci-fi horror that was far ahead of its time, and its critical take on the power of commercialism & influence of advertising on the masses is only growing more relevant with time.The story of They Live follows a drifter who arrives in Los Angeles looking for work and stumbles upon a pair of sunglasses that allows him to see everything around him for what it really is. As he learns that subliminal messages in mass media is part of a hidden agenda by aliens masquerading as human beings to keep the human civilisation subdued, he tries to reveal the truth to the world.Written & directed by John Carpenter (best known for Halloween & The Thing), They Live takes its time to establish its bleak atmosphere, and only escalates once all the pieces on the board are set. Keeping a firm grip on the pacing & build up, the director paints a grim portrait of what mankind is reduced to but it is the film's close proximity with our current scenario that makes it compelling on so many levels.Carpenter doesn't hold back in illustrating the corrupting power of mass media, and captures the omnipresent subliminal commands behind every advertising banner for what they are. Greyscale photography is utilised to illustrate the truth while coloured segments represent the world that's completely oblivious to the reality it's living in. Carpenter's score may not rank amongst his finest compositions but it still works.Coming to the performances, the cast is led by noted WWF icon "Rowdy" Roddy Piper and features Keith David & Meg Foster in supporting roles. Piper is surprisingly low-key here, compared to his volatile in-ring persona, and chips in with a measured input that finely articulates his character's emotions & confusion. David delivers a sturdy performance that stands neck to neck with Piper's, while Foster's work has an enigmatic quality to it.On an overall scale, They Live is a brilliantly directed, deftly scripted, exquisitely witted, skilfully photographed, expertly edited, splendidly performed & nicely scored example of its genre(s) that paints an unsettling portrait of the world we live in, and is another underrated gem from Carpenter that's well deserving of its cult following. Smart, subversive & stimulating, this political satire has aged like wine and will continue to resonate strongly & more deeply as the years roll on.

denis888 This is a semi-forgotten classic of 1988, John Carpenter's lost gem, his acid attack on Reaganomics, consumerism and very clever Left Field critique of a society that thrives on TV and propaganda. The great late Roddy Piper plays Nada, a man who opens a terrible secret to himself and who becomes a powerful warrior for the right cause. Keith David plays his sidekick with his usual gusto, while Meg Foster provides a very brief but nevertheless awesome role of a traitor. You have to watch this excellent movie which shows a typical Alein Invasion thing at a very unusual glance, and what is a bit saddening here, is a lack of proper character development as well as some depth of plot. Anyway, this is a clever and subtle message which is clear and loud. The world of mindless indifference and languid self-liking lads to certain abysses and losses