Review of They Live (1988) by Richard V — 26 Jan 2014

This movie is three acts: Act One, where Roddy Piper lives in a homeless encampment where odd things happen is a complete bore. Act Two, where Piper discovers the magic glasses that reveal the true world is actually quite clever to the point that this should have been expanded on.

And Act Three is where the resistance fights back, which is so over the top and random, your head spins. Somewhere in this so-bad-it's-kinda-watchable cult classic was supposed to be a darkly comedic satirical social commentary on class warfare, sci-fi films, subliminal advertising and the power of television in the vein of RoboCop.

But with drawn out scenes that aren't important or clever, bizarre moments, and gaping plot holes, They Live will be a cult classic that is best left buried until someone inevitably makes a mediocre remake that chooses to be a generic action film than build upon that rich social commentary.