Starring: Roddy Piper, Keith David, Meg Foster, George 'Buck' Flower, Peter Jason Directed By: John Carpenter Average Rating: Aspect Ratio: 2.35:1 Audience Rating: R (Restricted) Binding: DVD Format: Anamorphic, Closed-captioned, Color, Dolby, DVD, Widescreen, NTSC Label: Image Entertainment Number of Items: 1 Picture Format: Anamorphic Widescreen Region Code: 1 Release Date: March 25, 1998 Running Time: 95 minutes Theatrical Release Date: November 04, 1988
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 man's battle against aliens who are systematically gaining control of the Earth.
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
Hey brothers... there's something new going down... Are malevolent aliens working with CEOs, politicians, and law enforcement to establish the "new world order?" Could magic glasses enable humans to see these evil beings for what they really are? Would "Rowdy" Roddy Piper take matters into his own hands if these things were true? You betcha.
John Carpenter essential viewing. Fnord.
Classic This is one of the raddest movies of all time. Few know of this movie, but it has a genius story line and even the main character ex-wrestler Rowdy Roddy Piper does a good job in my opinion!
classic movie.....missing some major features? This stone cold classic , which is scary in its predictions of our current society....is available in the UK ( I bought the import) with an 8 minute making of...which is cool but a commentary by Carpenter and Roddy Piper which is just wonderful. Why didn't Universal put it out over here with them? If you like Sci-fi you should love its intelligence. If you love action flicks with a rugged star spouting cool lines and shooting up the scenery...its got that as well....
How Applicable for Today! This movie rocks! Such a great Carpenter classic, Roddy Piper isn't that bad an actor too. It's amazing how this movie in a weird way echo's the current times and trends - hmm, interesting. Perhaps, it may be that this is not no science-fiction after all. If any of you out there area looking for a fun, cool movie this is it.
Go Movie I love the movie I saw it on youtube and I bought the in amazon
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