Review of They Live (1988) by Sean D — 18 Jan 2012

You want some low-budget thriller awesomeness? Then see John Carpenter's "They Live" right freakin' now.

Acting? What acting? FUCK ACTING! This movie is 90 minutes of badassery and wonderful, searing commentary.

Roddy Piper (yes, the wrestler...that right) plays a transient who rolls into Los Angeles looking for work. He uncovers, through the help of bad ass sunglasses, that many of the billboards and magazines are sending subliminal messages telling people to be complacent and continue to buy and carry on with their middle class. These messages, though, are organized by people high up in society... who are actually aliens! M. Night Shyamalan got nothing on that twist. In the midst of this, we are thrown awesome insults, classic lines (Duke Nukem's famous line and look? From this movie), and one of the most epic fight scenes between friends ever.

Yes, it's a simple premise, but Carpenter executes it smartly and, in a not-so-subtle way, roasts consumer capitalism cleverly.

88% One of Carpenter's best. Right up there with "The Thing." This is Carpenter at his peak.