I am hear to chew bubblegum and talk about this movie…and I’m all out of bubble gum. Never has a line seemed more perfect to open up a chain of ass kicking that ensues. They Live is a cult classic…period. Anyone you ask about this movie will remember 2 scenes from this movie that is essentially the crux of my post today. But amongst the two iconic scenes in this movie, or the ones that standout to everyone, this is a subversive film that manages to blend politics, consumer consumption, greed and the brainwashing of the masses. Plus loads of shooting, fighting and weird looking aliens.
John Carpenter wrote and directed this science fiction thriller about a group of aliens who try to take over the world by disguising themselves as Young Republicans. Wrestler Roddy Piper stars as John Nada, a drifted who makes his way into an immense encampment for the homeless. There he stumbles upon a conspiracy concerning aliens who have hypnotized the populace through subliminal messages transmitted through television, magazines, posters, and movies. When Nada looks through special Ray-Bans developed by the resistance leaders, the aliens lose their clean-cut “Dan Quayle” looks and resemble crusty-looking reptiles. Nada joins the underground, teaming up with rebel-leader Frank (Keith David) to eradicate the lizard-like aliens from the body politic. ~ Paul Brenner, Rovi
They Live is just a pure, science fiction/horror/dark comedy/awesome movie from John Carpenter. This is when he was in his prime and made these mind-bending movies that just called to something dark in all of us. Carpenter was able to interject a lot of social context into They Live that was a mirror to our current climate as a civilization and the political times that we lived in. Sure, it doesn’t want to get too preachy since it is a movie where former wrestling start Rody Pipper goes through and shotguns aliens disguised as people with the help of some Ray Ban sunglasses, but it does carry an interesting message.
So now with the exposition of why this is a fantastic movie, here are the good parts that everyone will refer to when watching this movie.
This clip below is one of the best fight scenes ever. Two big ass dudes, duking it out in an alley for 6+ minutes. It’s just a pure, knock down, drag out fight that looks brutal and just downright insane. Keith David and Rody Piper, having a symbolic fight about the struggle to open ones eyes to the truth, even if it takes beating them into submission.
Badass!
Last but not least, time to close this sucker out. Just a downright sweet scene. Go and watch this movie now for even more ridiculousness.
