Review of They Live (1988) by Tim S — 10 Feb 2012

I don't think it's a secret that I'm not a big fan of John Carpenter's work as I think I've mentioned it before. He's a competent director, but his ego looms over his work and everything ends up feeling detached.

They Live is another one of his films that are like that. Sure it's cheesy and awful with a lot of political undertones in a fun way, but it's got his ego oozing out all over it and I can't find it quite as enjoyable as I'd want to.

It's some great design work, some key and memorable visuals and also some nice ideas, as well as Roddy Piper who was one of the cheesiest actors of the 80's (but fun at the same time), but it just doesn't do it for me as much as I'd hope.

For a Carpenter film, it's mediocre at best. It's not a huge loss though. He would go on to make the great action cheesefest masterpiece Big Trouble in Little China, so it's a win-win to me.