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| They Live |
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  (6/10)
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Runtime: 95 m |
| Public Rating: 8.20 (10 votes) |
Director: John Carpenter |
MPAA Rating:  |
| Genre: Horror/Sci-fi |
Year: 1988 |
| Writer(s): John Carpenter |
| Distributor: 1 |
| Reviewed by: Cyrus Banerjee |
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John Carpenter is a bit of an icon in horror and science-fiction film circles, being the director of such well-regarded films as Escape from New York, Halloween, and The Thing, among others. From what I've seen of his work I can surmise that he's got an unassuming style as a director, and takes his time to build his stories. This may work for some film goers, but I have found that I tend not to be scared or wowed by his films, as they seem to lack any sustained dramatic tension. But they certainly run with their ideas, which is more than can be said for many horror and sci-fi films.
They Live follows the exploits of drifter John Nada (played by wrestler-cum-actor Roddy Piper) as he finds his way into Los Angeles, seeking work and sustenance after his previous job of several years has fallen through. While working as a manual laborer in a construction yard, he meets Frank (Keith David), another out-of-towner who is just trying to get by. As they get to know each other and share opinions on why society seems to be falling apart - reports of worsening poverty, violence, and unemployment rates punctuate the news - John begins to uncover a startling conspiracy, global in its reach and implications, with the help of a pair of very special sunglasses. It turns out that the very freedom of all humanity is at stake (when isn't it?), and that they are behind it all...
What ensues is some monster-blasting fun as John and Frank load up on guns and join the ranks of the growing underground resistance movement. The action sequences here are mostly entertaining, and are highlighted by all manner of goofy one-liners including John's famous pre-rampage declaration, "I have come here to chew bubble gum and kick ass. And I'm all out of bubble gum." *BANG*
This movie is smarter than most of Carpenter's, as it attempts to tackle a thoughtful question underneath all of the pulpy violence and cheesy one-liners: are we free? We declare ourselves a free society, but how much freedom do we really possess in our consumer-capitalist world? If so much of our lives are prescribed for us - we are expected to go to school, then work, then marry, and reproduce - how much choice do we really have?
Despite its ambition, They Live is held down by an underdeveloped back story and some shaky performances. Some would argue that this is part of its low-budget charm, and that I'm taking the film too seriously. But the film seems to take itself somewhat seriously, which naturally leads a viewer in the same direction. However, this is not a bad film - it features a disciplined build-up and provides some camp value, given the right setting (say, a college dorm with free-flowing Budweiser).
In summary, I cannot recommend They Live for any real horror or sci-fi scares, but it is worth a look by fans of John Carpenter's other work.
(c) 2004, Cyrus Banerjee
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