Review of They Live (1988) by Richard N — 18 Apr 2015

Little understood upon it's release yet all these years later seems amazingly prescient and relevant. An eye opener of a movie both figuratively and literally. Carpenter serves us up a film quite unlike standard Hollywood fare, and all the better for it.

Roddy Piper is impressive for a novice actor, bringing a certain naivety to the role of the awakened drifter which I found refreshing. I think an established actor wouldn't have worked out so well and probably have detracted from the film's message in fact.

Contains some memorable cheesy quotes and a ton of cryptic meaning, especially concerning the true identity of the aliens who unbeknownst to the vast majority are covertly running the planet. One of those films that might just leave you with a lasting impression when you didn't necessarily expect it to, as it did with me.

8/10.