Review of They Live (1988) by Juan C — 04 May 2011

Roddy Piper plays the perfect outsider in John Carpenter's science-fiction conspiracy tale. Roddy Piper in shown in great terms, questioning the America Dream, and is an outcast for reasons he cannot understand.

At its core there is an intriguing concept of alien forces secretly suppressing the human race through subliminal messages. Visually this could not have been done better as Roddy puts on his glasses to see what exists behind the facade. These form the best sequences of the film. To see Roddy Piper go on a rampage at his discovery is a leap of faith, but given his trying circumstances, it remains believable.

The Live also features one of the more memorable fight scenes that refuses to end. It is brutal and cut in long takes. All Roddy wants to do is get his friend to try on some sunglasses! Like in many of Carpenter's film, there is no need for an unnecessary female lead, and it is handled in the same way here. In lesser films a relationship would have no doubt formed. Special mention also goes to Keith David's voice. He is of course of Spawn and Gargoyles voice acting fame.

It is only when the ideas are further explored at the end, a level of camp begins to enter the film. Still this is saved by the anti-establishment vigour in the film, as Roddy Piper flips the bird as his last dying act.

And of course, one cannot endure this without enduring one of the great lines of cinema.