They Live

The beautiful thing about horror and science-fiction is it allows filmmakers to make a “message” movie without being so blatant about it. Movies like Invasion of the Body Snatchers or Dawn of the Dead bury their agendas in subtext that doesn’t interfere with the surface level enjoyment of the genre. But They Live actually disposes with the subtext entirely and puts its political commentary front and center. Sure, there’s some gunplay, aliens and one wicked mano y mano brawl, but mostly this is director John Carpenter’s condemnation of Reagan-era consumerism disguised as an action movie starring ex-wrestler “Rowdy” Roddy Piper.

A good-natured drifter (Piper) stumbles upon a group of guerilla fighters operating out of a homeless shelter. Their goal? Wake up the sleeping masses to the people that are really running this country: Aliens! These bug-eyed invaders have covered their tracks by hypnotizing us with TV signals and subliminal advertising. We can only see them for what they really are by looking through a pair of special sunglasses. Once Piper’s character (nameless in the film but credited as Nada) puts on the shades, he begins spouting one-liners and popping off shots at any alien who gets in his way.

The premise sounds expensive, but Carpenter (beginning the long downward slide of his career here) had to work with a low budget to create his vast alien conspiracy. This actually works in his favor with the reliance on matte paintings and make-up effects giving the film a retro ‘50s sci-fi flavor. Piper isn’t much of an actor but co-star Keith David (The Thing) helps keep things professional. Their WWF inspired back-alley throwdown is the film’s highlight anyway you cut it (watch the South Park cripple-fight recreation after you’re done).

Shout Factory’s Blu-ray really cleans things up transfer-wise. The movie has never looked better and includes a Carpenter / Piper commentary, interviews, Making Of and trailers.