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Aspect Ratio: 2.35:1
Audience Rating: R (Restricted)
Binding: DVD
Brand: Universal Studios
EAN: 9780783255309
Format: Closed-captioned, Color, Dolby, DVD, Subtitled, Widescreen, NTSC
ISBN: 0783255306
Label: Universal Studios
Languages: EnglishOriginal LanguageEnglishSubtitledFrenchSubtitledSpanishSubtitled
Manufacturer: Universal Studios
MPN: D21235D
Number Of Items: 1
Publisher: Universal Studios
Region Code: 1
Release Date: September 23, 2003
Running Time: 93 minutes
Studio: Universal Studios
Theatrical Release Date: November 04, 1988
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Editorial Review:
Product Description:
They influence our decisions without us knowing it. They numb our senses without us feeling it. They control our lives without us realizing it. Horror master john carpenter directs this action-packed sci-fi thriller about one mans battle against aliens who are systematically gaining control of the earth. Studio: Uni Dist Corp. (mca) Release Date: 09/23/2003 Starring: Roddy Piper Meg Foster Run time: 98 minutes Rating: R Director: John Carpenter
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
Average Rating: 
Rating:  -
Roddy Piper plays a down out guy, unemployed, who believes in America and though life is down, there is always hope. Until he sees some suspicious activity in a church. Turns out it's a front for terrorists fighting alien creatures bent on our submission. Somehow these aliens have created a ray or some treatment that makes us see them as human, and the subliminal messages are a riot.
Is that a Woman's Day magazine? Not really. Ads that subliminally say "Obey", "Marry and Reproduce" and "Sleep" are all good ones.
A parody of sorts of our consumer culture -- more fun than science fiction. The gun battles are fair, but very one-sided. What Roddy's character has to do to convince people to wear these special sunglasses is interesting as well.
Lots of plot holes dragged the movie for me. I can buy humans cooperating in order to make money, but why so few really know and how widespread the alien influence is not made clear. And their transport technology and other scientific marvels, why do they even need the Earth?
Anyway, too much thinking. Enjoy this piece of shoot-em-up fluff!
My DVD had NOTHING in the way of special features, sadly.
Other DVDs by Roddy Piper:
Jungleground
WWE - Born to Controversy: The Roddy Piper Story
Rating:  -
Ever wonder why the government is predatory and doesnt operate in the interest of the little guy?
This film exposes all
:-)
Rating: -
They Live prefigured "The Matrix" with a much more low-tech and low-budget version of the same idea. More fun too, in a way, because it does not take itself quite as seriously. Roddy Piper's character is wonderful, especially the scene of his first encounter with the sunglasses. I loved his shootout in the bank, and his fight with Keith David in the alley that goes on for ten minutes is truly a classic. If you liked The Matrix, this is definitely worth a look.
Rating: -
Here's a bare-bones DVD of a good Carpenter flick. 20+ years later, They Live actually looks better, perhaps more quaint, more retro than I would expect after all this time.
What is this movie? Basically, it's Carpenter's 'ode' to Reaganism, which would make it very relevant today (I do expect a remake, over-budgeted and over-produced, but the themes beg for one). In what is supposed to be the 'near future', times are tough, the economy is bad, the poor class is growing and society is becoming more polarized between the wealthy and everyone else...sort of like what's always happening in the USA. A drifter shows up in town (looks like LA), and he finds some construction work. Soon enough, he notices something strange going on at the local church, where some kind of underground movement operates. Inside, he discovers special sunglasses that 'reveal' what is really going on: a race of ugly, skeletal-faced aliens is living among us, and all advertisements are really veiled commands to 'OBEY', 'CONSUME', 'BUY', and have 'NO THOUGHT'. This matches the message in some pirate broadcasts where a man talks about the subservience of the masses, the permanent sleep-state that allows the owners to turn everyone into 'livestock'.
Carpenter's movies definitely changed when he lost cinematographer Dean Cundey, but this one still looks very much like an earlier Carpenter entry. In a lead role one can easily see written for favorites Kurt Russell, or even Tom Atkins, Carpenter uses WWF icon 'Rowdy' Roddy Piper. And you know what? For the most part...it works. (Today, they would use The Rock, er, Dwayne Johnson). This is not an actor's role, and Piper's face is perfect for portraying the beaten down 'everyman' laborer. In fact, he'd have been a good choice for The Running Man, which this story resembles in some ways (setting and theme). And Keith David, who literally needs to be beaten into 'seeing' (oh, the metaphors), is reliable as always (and as tough as Piper).
The effects can be cheesy, yet there's something plainly effective in those black-and-white sunglass POV shots---dull matte paintings depicting the landscape (BUY, CONSUME, KEEP SLEEPING) that reminds one of a 60s painting. There's a lot of action, too, as an enraged Piper looks to take revenge of the monolithic aliens by blasting them on his way to subverting their all-powerful signal that masks their 'ugliness'. And the ending is pure, bittersweet Carpenter.
I think the movie holds up well and is relevant today, even if we've taken this for granted and have accepted the 'new cynicism' alluded to in the film (spoken by a politician-alien). The themes would have gone over a youngster's head back in the day, yet the basic story was appealing. Now one can appreciate Carpenter for being a quasi-Hawks-out-of-time figure in Hollywood. Born too late, as he said. The film is not overly preachy, and not overly talky, either. There's a long fight scene between Piper and David where they really do look like they're beating the crap out of each other. That metaphor, like the others, is not difficult to read.
The DVD? The DVD is absolutely bare-bones. Nice to have this movie in the format, but no doubt this needs a proper version, perhaps when they get around to asking Carpenter, who always does good commentaries on his films. You can find this very cheap, and for Carpenter fans, a no-brainer. Actually, for anyone who enjoys angry commentary on 80s Reaganism, highly recommended. Am waiting for the super box set with Blu Ray, DVD, VHS, video disc, and a pair of those sunglasses. And maybe an 'OBEY' shirt.
Rating: -
The DVD movie and packaging was flawless.
The only thing I did not like was the fact that it was missing the inside booklet on the left-hand side. I am not 100% sure it came with one, but every movie I ever purchased before came with one other than DVD's you may see sold off the street.
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