Sunday, May 24, 2009

They Live to be campy

Classic John Carpenter* ...

*And no, not this John Carpenter.

(Found on the review blog Reality Break)

There's really not much to say that hasn't been said in praise of Carpenter's wrestler-starring ("Rowdy" Roddy Piper, a Canadian who for some reason wore a Scottish kilt in the ring) sci-fi/political satire about how the world is being taken over by in-disguise aliens ... who are delivering subliminal messages that are decipherable only to the trained eye (the trained eye, of course, being covered by special sunglasses). In fact, I've already said it myself.

But I'll say it again: Really, the film is just ridiculous.

Yeah, ridiculously awesome.

Most fans will point to the "I have come here to chew bubblegum and kick ass" line -- and for good reason.

I prefer the best hand-to-hand fight scene I've ever witnessed (NSFW). Oh, and the ending is great. And let's not forget the fate of the character played by George "Buck" Flower, one of the most memorable bit players you'll ever see.

Bonus bit: If you've got a few minutes, read the short story upon which They Live is based -- "Eight O'Clock in the Morning," by Ray Nelson. It is absolutely nothing like the movie.

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