Amazon.com: An economic crisis brings unemployed Nada (Roddy Piper) to L.A. in search of work. What he finds instead is that the ruling elite of the world are aliens in disguise, their aim being to keep humans in a state of mindless consumerism. His discovery comes when he dons a pair of special sunglasses made by a resistance group and sees for the first time reality unadorned. Billboards, store signs, magazine covers--all bear subliminal messages to OBEY, to CONSUME, to have NO INDEPENDENT THOUGHT. Money itself says THIS IS YOUR GOD. But worst of all, with these glasses you see which of us are really hideous, bug-eyed aliens. The conceptual breakthrough is hilarious while keeping its roots in darker matters. Although some fault the film for settling into its action plot, the ending has a great payoff. And the direction by John Carpenter is handled with superb workmanlike aplomb. One unforgettable set piece has Piper in a back-alley fistfight with a friend who won't put on the glasses that goes on and on, and just when you think it's over it goes another round. One of the most subversive films ever made in Hollywood, They Live was released on the eve of the 1988 elections. The first TV ads had two hideous alien politicians debating, then one accusing the other of being "No John Kennedy!" --Jim Gay
Customer Reviews
Average Rating:
Rating: - Intergalactic Robber Barons
This is a fun romp of a Sci-Fi movie, where a small band of people in the US find out that the world is being run by invaders that are true Intergalactic industrialist robber barons. Rowdy Roddy Piper ... Read More
Rating: - A must-have sci-fi classic!
In spite of the fact that the film's protagonist, Roddy Piper [Nada], wears his pants too high and gets far too many crotch and butt shots for my liking [the film was shot in 1988, which might explain ... Read More
Rating: - You don't own this movie? Go get some glasses...
I was introduced to this movie via a youtube clip and knew after watching it I had to have this movie.
After waiting for it to come in the mail (I checked several times a day in case I missed ... Read More
Rating: - One of Carpenter's Best !
First of all, I would have given this a full 5 stars but the lack of extra prevented me to do so. Hey, the menu screen only have play and scene selection, my goodness. If John Carpenter shows little respect ... Read More
Rating: - Great Movie!
This is a great movie, because the action is non-stop and the visuals were ahead of their time. It has the longest fight scene between Roddy Piper and Keith David. It mixes seriousness and humor. It also has ... Read More
- Intergalactic Robber Barons
- One of Carpenter's Best !