They Live (Collector's Edition)

Released in November of 1988, director John Carpenter's They Live may be the film of its generation. Well, if it's not then it's pretty close. John Carpenter is mostly known for the box office smash hit Halloween (1978) and as great as that film is (it's my favorite film), They Live is proof that the horror master had more to offer, along with a lot of other gems like Escape From New York (1981), The Thing (1982), Big Trouble In Little China (1986), In The Mouth Of Madness (1995), Escape From L.A. (1996) and Vampires (1998), They Live ranks on the list of his best films. What makes Carpenter so unique is that he really understood where Hollywood was heading during the late 70s and most of the 80s and for a short period of time he got his taste of Hollywood. He then realized that it simply only cares about making money and he spent the rest of his career as a true independent, not following any rules and making movies the way that he wanted to. Carpenter was riding on the success of Halloween, which was in its day the highest grossing independent film ever made. Escape From New York was another hit movie and by this time he was getting major studio offerings. He then directed his first big studio picture The Thing. This film was expected to be a commercial hit but unfortunately, the film was a disaster and was even considered one of the most hated films by critics and audiences alike. Although The Thing has found a cult audience over the years, it was the film that launched a series of commercial failures from the director. Carpenter was feeling frustrated with the way the studio system was heading so he decided to make a film that expressed this which is where They Live comes in. This film may be one of the bravest movies in its day. During the 1980s, we were being told to do nothing but consume. This film is a study of the world being corrupt by the media and how it tells us to simply not care and just make tons of money. The middle class are portrayed as villains in the film and that being rich and successful is the only way to be happy while poor working class people are being treated as useless. We all believe that fame and fortune is what makes us somebody but Carpenter wasn't about to become a sell out and instead he dealt with his frustration by making this film and when you look at it now you can't help but think what an honest direction that was to go in. But this movie isn't just for deep thinkers, it is also a kick ass sci-fi action movie and it's a lot of fun too. Sure, the movie is goofy at times and very B movie material but to me that's a positive aspect, I think that was the perfect way to portray the story. I would put this movie up there with A Clockwork Orange (1971) even, as pretentious as that sounds.

A really good movie.. the fighting seen was dumb but overall a good movie. Lots hidden messages in the movie! Give a watch

Great movie Wish it was cheaper

I always liked this movie. It has a slow start but it's worth it if you stick with it. When you think about it, the only parts that are kinda far-fetched is the whole alien thing and the frequency being transmitted that keeps people from seeing what's really out there. But these 2 things are metaphors for what's really going on. I remember thinking back in the day that Rowdy Roddy Piper was a strange casting choice, but the look on his face when he first sees a disguised alien through the sunglasses proves that he was perfect for the role.

If you're a fan of science fiction, action, or cult classic movies, you need to own "They Live (Collector's Edition) [Blu-ray]." Director John Carpenter's 1988 masterpiece has never looked or sounded better, thanks to the stunning transfer and remastered audio. This is a must-have addition to any movie collection. The film follows a drifter named John Nada, played brilliantly by the late, great "Rowdy" Roddy Piper, who discovers a pair of special sunglasses that reveal a shocking truth about the world around him. The glasses reveal that the world is controlled by alien invaders who have disguised themselves as humans and use subliminal messages to keep the population in a state of submission. Nada must fight back against these invaders with a mix of brawn, brains, and one-liners. The picture quality on this Blu-ray is phenomenal. The colors are bright and vibrant, and the details are crisp and clear. The remastered audio is also top-notch, with every sound effect and line of dialogue coming through crystal clear. The special features on this release are also impressive, with commentary from Carpenter and Piper, deleted scenes, and a featurette on the film's special effects. "They Live" is a cult classic for a reason, and this Collector's Edition Blu-ray does it justice. If you've never seen the film before, you're in for a treat. And if you're a longtime fan, this release is a must-have. So put on these glasses and see for yourself why "They Live" is a timeless masterpiece.

This review is for the Blu-Ray edition of The Collector's Edition of 'They Live' released by Shout! Factory. MY RATING: Since this is a 'Collector's Edition', I am putting more weight on this releases extra's than on it's plot. Most people who are looking at this Blu-Ray have probably seen the movie. This was not the case with myself. I have included my thoughts and plot summary for those who are looking at this for the first time like I was just before I purchased this release. ABOUT THIS MOVIE: This is a lower budget ($4 million) science fiction movie that was released by Universal in 1988. It stars wrestling legend 'Rowdy' Roddy Piper in what he considers his best movie. The director, John Carpenter, made this movie as sort of a response to the Ronald Reagan era as well as wanting to improve upon alien invasion movies. My headline quote is from John Carpenter. He makes this comment in his interview in the 'EXTRA'S'. FROM THE PERSPECTIVE OF A FIRST TIME VIEWER IN 2020: This review is from the perspective of someone who is 55 years old and watching this movie for the first time around Thanksgiving, 2020. I purchased this 'Collectors Edition' after watching an interview with Roddy Piper that was in the extra's to 'Hell Comes to Frogtown'. In that interview, Piper called 'They Live' the best movie he ever did. I had never heard of this movie until he mentioned it in that interview. I put 'They Live' on my 'To watch' list and finally decided to purchase this 'Collector's Edition' after hearing someone recommend it as a theme in a collector's forum. I knew absolutely nothing about this movie before watching it other than it had an obvious 'cult' following. I didn't even know that it was an alien invasion movie. I watched it first and then watched the 'extra's' and read up about it afterward. EXTRA'S: I think that the extra's are not up to par with some of the other 'Collector's Editions' I have seen. Unfortunately, the companies distributing these editions are being a bit deceptive. In effect, they are taking one 'Making of' Documentary and dividing it up into a bunch of short 'extra's' and giving the impression that there is much more included than what there really is. It's not that what's here is not good... I just have a problem with deceptive marketing. Most older movies these days are given a release with an audio commentary, a 'Making of' documentary and the usual trailers, stills and TV spots. In effect, this is a good 'regular' release. To be fair, there is a little bit extra. They give you an 8 minute contemporary documentary and the 'full' versions of the commercials in the movie. What is included... -Audio Commentary with the John Carpenter and 'Rowdy' Roddy Piper - This is an excellent and entertaining commentary. The two mention at the beginning that this is the first time they are watching this movie together in 12 years. Carpenter says that this movie was his attempt to upgrade the alien invasion genre. -Interview: "Independent Thoughts" - In this 10 minute interview, John Carpenter discusses being an Independent movie maker. He says that he hates authority. He focuses on 'They Live' for this interview. He talks about where he got the idea for the plot as well as the production. -Interview - "Woman of Mystery" - This is a 5 minute interview with the actress who plays Holly Thompson. She talks about the main theme of the movie... authority. She talks about her character role. -Documentary: "Watch, Look, Listen" - This is an 11 minute documentary on the "Sights and Sounds of They Live". It features cinematographer Gary B. Kibbe, Stunt Coordinator Jim Imoda, and Co-Composer, Alan Howarth. Imoda, was the stuntman who did all of the stunts, both make and female, for the aliens in the movie. Kibbe talks about how he got the job and his choices for shooting the movie. -Interview: 'Man versus Alien' - This is an 11 minute interview with actor, Keith David. David plays Frank in 'They Live'. Carpenter hired him because of his performance in 'The Thing'. David says his role of Frank Armitage was his first major role. He tells a story about the premiere of 'The Thing' and how he didn't get another until four years after that film. -Documentary: "Original EPK: The Making of "They Live" - This is an 8 minute 'Making of' documentary that seems to be contemporary with when the movie was made. *****WHAT DOES EPK MEAN?***** EPK is the abbreviation for "Electronic Press Kit". The press kit is a set of promotional materials. I looked this up because I had no idea. I figured that there are probably others looking at this who are as uninformed as myself. -'Never-Before-Seen-Footage' - This a reel of the mostly complete commercials that are seen in 'They Live'. Only bits and pieces of them are seen in the movie but they are original 'fake commercials' that were filmed just for this movie. The footage is about 2 1/2 minutes in length. -TV spots -Still Gallery -Trailers - There are three trailers. They are for 'They Live', 'Halloween II' and 'Halloween III'. -Subtitles *****WARNING - SPOILERS BELOW THIS POINT***** PLOT SUMMARY/SYNOPSIS: In Los Angeles, an unnamed drifter who goes by the name John Nada, goes looking for work at an employment agency without success. He walks to a construction site and gets hired. After work on his first day, he meets Frank Armitage. Armitage invites him to join him at his shelter. Armitage has a family that he was forced to leave and now lives at an abandoned site that serves as a homeless shelter of sorts. The site's leader is a man named Gilbert. From time to time, the television set that the shelter occupants are watching has the signal broken into. The signal, that doesn't last long, seems to be a warning about the population being controlled. The next day, Nada follows Gilbert to a nearby church. He discovers a secret meeting and discretely listens to a meeting while a recording of church music plays. While in an unoccupied room, Nada discovers a batch of sunglasses that are being manufactured for an unknown reason. A blind preacher from the shelter walks in on him and Nada leaves. That evening the police raid the area. They cause a lot of destruction and beat on the locals. Nada gets away unharmed and returns the next morning. He goes back to the church and goes to a secret room he discovered by accident the day before. He takes a box of from the room. He goes downtown and walks down a deserted alley and opens the box to discover that it is filled with sunglasses. He takes one pair and hides the box in a garbage can. Once Nada gets to a major street he puts the glasses on and discovers that he can only see in black & white. He notices that every single sign as well books, magazines and even money, have a slogan in place of what is seen without the glasses. They are all messages that seem to be orders of some sort, such as 'obey', 'consume', 'submit', 'sleep', etc. Nada also notices that some people have a face that looks 'skeletal' or alien in appearance. Nada wanders around and becomes indignant toward what he is seeing An alien disguised as an old woman, alerts the police to Nada via her wristwatch. The police chase Nada but he disables a couple of cops and takes their guns. He goes to a bank and starts firing on aliens. He leaves the bank and is pursued by alien drones and cops. He meets a woman, Holly Thompson, in a car garage and takes her hostage. He has her drive them both to her home. At her home, Holly, tells Nada that she is a program director for a television studio. Nada is exhausted and wants to rest. He tries to get Holly to put on the glasses but she doesn't. She then hits him over the head with a bottle and pushes him out off her balcony and calls the cops. Nada dropped the glasses at Holly's home and he makes his way back to the construction site. Frank tells him to get lost and Nada works his way back to the alley where he left the box. Once there, he gets the glasses and Frank shows up. Frank is showing pity on Nada and gives him money and tells him to leave him alone. Nada unsuccessfully tries to convince Frank to put on the sunglasses. He refuses and a massive brawl takes place between the two. After it is over, Frank finally puts on the glasses and understands what is happening. Frank and Nada make their way to a hotel. While staying there, one day, Gilbert shows up. He tells them about a meeting that is taking place that evening. At the meeting of the human resistance, Frank and Nada are given contact lenses to replace their glasses. They learn that there are humans who have sided with the aliens for money. The aliens treat Earth as if it is a 'third world' country. They want the Earth to suffer from global warming in order to make the planet closer to the alien homeworld. While there, Nada meets Holly. Holly apologizes for her behavior at her home. The police raid the resistance safe house. Nada and Frank escape and Holly apparently gets away as well. While cornered in an alley, Frank and Nada use an alien wristwatch to open up a portal. They escape to an underground tunnel. There, they find a political dinner of sorts for the aliens. They encounter one of citizens of the homeless shelter who has gone over to the aliens. He shows them around the facility. Eventually he brings them to the television studio where the alien signal originates. Frank and Nada start blasting away and eventually come across Holly. The three continue battling their way up to the roof of the building they are in. While Nada isn't looking, Holly kills Frank. Nada reaches the transmitter on the roof. Nada takes his gun and aims at the transmitter and Holly stops him by pointing a gun at him. Nada drops his gun but pulls out a hidden gun. He destroys the transmitter as a group of helicopters gun him down. As he lies dying, Nada gives the aliens the finger. All over the world, the alien cover is gone. Everyone can now see the aliens. COMMENTS/PRODUCTION: -John Carpenter hired Keith David based on his performance on 'The Thing'. -The black & white movie you see being watched at the homeless shelter is Universal's 'The Monolith Monsters (1957)'. -I thought the eyes of Meg Foster (who plays Holly Thompson) were contact lenses but apparently those eyes are real. -Roddy Piper says that he is unhappy with his final scene. He says his finger should have been more forceful rather than weak when he gives the middle digit to the aliens. RODDY PIPERS FIRST 'REAL' MOVIE?: Roddy Piper says that 'They Live' was his first real movie role that had a real director. He says his early roles were just bit parts or didn't have a director. He may have been kissing John Carpenter's butt. I disagree with him. It may have had better production values but I thought 'Hell Comes to Frogtown' was quite entertaining. It's because of that movie that I even found out about 'They Live'. At least Piper is consistent. He says in an interview on the 'Hell Comes to Frogtown' release that 'They Live' was his best movie. I think that the reason that he disparages the production of 'Hell Comes to Frogtown' is that he felt that he wasn't liked on that set. As proof, Piper offers that he was not asked to do the sequels even though he was the lead. WHAT HAPPENED TO 'ROWDY' RODDY PIPER?: Roderick Toombs (Piper's real name) died in 2015 at the age of 61. He had a heart attack after going to bed not feeling well. THESE PEOPLE ARE HOMELESS? I know this is nitpicking but the actors chosen for people that live at a homeless shelter couldn't possibly look less like homeless people. The casting for this was not good. At the least, the outfits of the cast were uninspired. Yeah, I know... it wasn't a big budget movie and some corners have to be cut. THAT FIGHT SCENE: I know that I'm among the minority on this one. When I first watched this scene, I thought it went on way too long. I'm not much of 'fight scene' person. I now know that this scene lasted about 6 minutes long and is considered a highlight of the movie. John Carpenter calls this one of the best fight scenes in Hollywood history. OK... if he says so. Carpenter says that it is realistic and that there is no crazy stuff going on like you see in martial arts films and other action movies. I'd have to disagree. To me, it looked like a pro wresting match... greatly exaggerated... nobody can take that much punishment. If it were real, that fight wouldn't have lasted longer than a minute. Let's call it what it is... a shout out to pro wrestling fans. Ultimately, it doesn't really matter. This isn't the sort of movie in which anyone is looking for realism. If you are among the group that likes wrestling and Roddy Piper movies then you are going to think that scene is great. In the commentary, they mention that they had to cut the scene down! IS NADA A SAP?: I know this isn't something that was on anybody's mind while watching this movie but I thought the love angle between Nada and Holly was a bit (more like 'a lot') forced. Nada is either the biggest sap around or the original screenplay had a lot more relationship stuff included. There is absolutely no reason for Nada to 'fall' for her. Within minutes of getting to her apartment and having his first real conversation with him, she hits him over the head with a bottle and tosses him off her balcony, possibly to his death. Yep... true love. TOO POLITICAL?: Director John Carpenter makes no secret that this movie was politically motivated. A big part of the plot has to do with his criticism of 'Reaganomics'. Knowing this, it makes me wonder about a comment made by Keith David in his interview right here on this collector's edition. He said that 'They Live', upon release, became the number one movie for two straight weeks and then just disappeared from the theaters. He hints that somebody must have been pissed off. CONCLUSIONS: After watching 'They Live' for the first time, I realized that this is not a movie for everyone. This is not a criticism. There are very few movies in this world that appeal to almost anybody. 'They Live' has a very specific appeal. As an 80's era film, it's potential audience is very large which includes the pro wrestling crowd. As of the time of this review, 80's movies have been "in" for quite some time. My opinion of the movie is that it's not great but decent. It's entertaining and ultimately, entertainment is what watching movies is all about. I think that this 'Collector's' release is a bit light on the extra's. It has a seemingly large amount but in reality, a whole bunch of these extra's are just one 'Making of' documentary that has been cut up into pieces. Nevertheless, if you are a fan of this movie then this is the edition to get. At the time of this review on Thanksgiving Day, 2020, this edition is only fifteen dollars. So my complaints about not enough extra's can be discounted. RECOMMENDATIONS: Recommended obviously for fans of cult science fiction movies. Recommended obviously for fans of Roddy Piper. Recommended very obviously for fans of 'They Live'! IF YOU LIKE THIS THEN TRY...: -Invasion of the Body Snatchers (1978): You can choose from 3 versions of this movie but I'm listing the second one because it is closest in tone to 'They Live'. -Hell Comes to Frogtown (1988) - It might have an unusual premise, a post apocalyptic world (partly populated by 'frog people') in which all of the men and most of the women have become infertile, but it is fairly entertaining. Now imagine this world in which 'Rowdy' Roddy is discovered to be the only male that is still fertile and he is given the mission (by force!!!) of impregnating a group of beautiful and fertile woman. Roddy must wear an electronic chastity belt that electrocutes his 'privates' if he tries to avoid doing his duty for mankind by running away! Now that's a movie! RATINGS: Plot: 7/10 or 3 1/2 stars - This plot has been done countless times. It's not bad, just not a whole lot new. In any event, it's at least entertaining and that's what it's all about. SFX: 9/10 or 4 1/2 stars - Not a lot of visual effects but what's here is excellent. Extra's: 6/10 or 3 stars- I am basing this score for a 'Collector's Edition's' extra's not a regular edition's extra's. The extra's are light even though there are seemingly a lot. Overall: 8.5/10 or 4 1/2 stars but it gets 5 stars because I'm rating this on the extra's.

Nice quality steel book for a good movie

John Carpenter wrote and directed his second and last feature in the ill-fated Alive Films deal. This flick was a fun alien invasion, Sci-Fi/Action flick based on the short story Eight O'Clock In The Morning by Ray Nelson. Carpenter also mixed in some deft messages about class warfare and how the rich and powerful manipulate the government and media to reduce the rest of us to little more then slaves... a message even more relevant today then it was in 1988, with big corporations running our media and, to be honest, our government... but I digress... The story focuses on unemployed construction worker John Nada (Roddy Piper) who through a series of events comes across a pair of special sunglasses that let him see the world for what it truly is, an alien run society where humans who collaborate and cooperate are made rich and powerful and those who don't, are coerced by subliminal messages placed in all the media to basically follow orders and do what they are told. If you're not one of the haves, you're little more then a have-not slave. Nada has nothing else to lose so, he decides to join a growing underground rebellion and fight back, taking reluctant friend Frank (Keith David) and accidental hostage Holly (Meg Foster) along for the ride. But, the aliens are everywhere and so are the traitorous humans that have sold out and John Nada and Co. have some pretty big odds to overcome if they are to find and eliminate the beings' hypnotic signal and wake the world up from it's alien induced slumber. They Live may not be Carpenter's strongest work but, it is still a fan favorite and a lot of fun. The film moves fast and there is a lot of suspenseful action including a now classic fistfight between "Rowdy" Roddy Piper and The Thing's Keith David and the gunfight finale inside a cable TV office building. As usual Carpenter gives the film a nice look on a low budget with Gary B. Kibbe once again filling former Carpenter DOP Dean Cundey's shoes nicely with some beautiful camerawork. The political messages are a little heavy-handed but, there is enough action and aliens to even it out and the film has some really nice SPFX for a very modestly budgeted film especially those that portray the real world as seen through the signal blocking glasses. The film has some clunky dialog and it could have used some more time within the workings of the rebellion to get us a bit more endeared to the freedom fighters before they clash with the invaders but, the focus is on Nada and Frank and it is they who are left with the task of taking the bizarre invaders down and the film does have some very uniquely designed extraterrestrials to act as our villains. It is both one of Carpenter's lighter films and yet, ironically, one of his most politically and socially critical. As, despite the dire message, the film also has a very satirical sense of humor as well and that helps us past some of it's flaws as it doesn't take itself too seriously that we don't have a good time watching Piper run out of bubblegum and kick ass. And as for our leading man, Piper does OK here. Carpenter hired him because he felt he had a look of someone who has lived a hard life and that works in the case of down on his luck Nada. Piper isn't the best actor but, he holds his on especially during the action scenes and only stumbles a little in some of the more dialog heavy moments. Kurt Russell would have been prefect but, Piper works better than expected. Keith David is good as always. He makes Frank a likable and honorable man but, one who we believe doesn't take any crap from anyone. Foster is a little stiff as Holly but, since she plays a woman thrust into a very surreal situation, it almost fits the part. There are also some solid small roles from frequent Carpenter collaborators like Peter Jason as the rebellion leader Gilbert and George `Buck' Flower as a homeless man who discovers the benefit of playing nice with the ruling alien elite. Carpenter and associate Alan Howarth again deliver a memorable score to support the film. They Live is now considered a cult classic and I certainly agree. While it may have some familiar elements and common themes, it still comes across as a unique little movie and one with an important message that still resonates well over two decades later. And despite it's message being a large part of the film's plot, Carpenter wraps it with a fun, Action/ Sci-Fi coating to make it easily digestible. Piper may not have been the strongest actor to cast in the lead but, he does carry the flick and it's fun to watch him have a good time with the part even if he stumbles a bit in the film's more serious moments. Not Carpenter's best flick but, still very enjoyable and once again another film that has found it's audience years later. Again John Carpenter proves he is a director who is well ahead of his time. The film is now available in this beautiful new transfer from Scream Factory!