Review of They Live (1988) by Zachary M — 07 Nov 2016

This concept works on two levels of metaphoric levels. It feeds the fuel on tin hat wearing conspiracy theorists about the idea of aliens and/or a government conspiracy is secretly watching and controlling our lives and our thoughts. It also plays into the idea of a ruling class of both political and economic stance that also do more or less the same thing.

What sells it above all other paranoia type films is the action, and specifically the performance by Roddy Roddy Piper. When talking about great action heroes of all time, I believe the Hot Rod needs to be in the consideration even if he didn't have as many roles as many other notable action move character actors. That is just how perfect he sells the action and humor of this movie. Movies can be made or broke by its leads, and this one is certainly made by it.