When you talk about cult 80s sci-fi classics, John Carpenters (again, please excuse the lack of all apostrophes and quotations, the button fell off my keyboard), They Live, will always be in the conversation. In terms of rank, I would place it in the high quality pantheon of flicks from that era like The Evil Dead II, Predator, The Fly, The Goonies, The Lost Boys, and Near Dark, where the entirety of the movie itself isnt so much to write home about whereas the actual impression it makes, is. I hope that makes sense. A movie you will never forget that also leaves a lasting imprint on your subconscious for the rest of your life.

Lets talk a bit about John Carpenter. He wrote the movie under a pen name, Frank Armitage (an homage to H.P. Lovecraft character, Henry Armitage, from the story, The Dunwich Horror). The movie idea itself came from the short story, Eight OClock in the Morning, barely six pages, by Rey Faraday Nelson who wrote it in 1963. Carpenter directed the movie and co composed the music. He used the pen name so as to not dominate the credits. He is responsible for many cult classics throughout his career. His best directed stuff spans a remarkable decade long stretch from the late seventies into the later eighties starting with the original Halloween (1978), and continuing with The Fog (1980), Escape from New York (1981), The Thing (1982), Christine (1983), Starman (1984), Big Trouble in Little China (1986), Prince of Darkness (1987) and culminating with They Live (1988). Not to mention, he also wrote almost double the amount of movies he directed.

I mean, if you havent seen it, you should, but also, where the hell have you been since the late 80s dude? Its a great L.A. movie and also extremely anti-establishment as once you hit the midpoint you realize, as all good sci-fi points out, that the future, or supposed future, isnt too far off from where we currently stand in society. Capitalism as bad guy and mindless consumption as the method of how we are controlled by hidden forces. Like I said, not too far from the mark, especially today, and if you think I am too cynical then go take a marketing class just to see how demonic these guys are. I often recall the immortal words of Bill Hicks who called them Satans little helpers.

Rowdy Roddy Piper (yes, the wrestler) stars as the wandering, Nada, a man with no past save that we can probably elaborate ourselves. He is running from, or searching for, something. The L.A. of this reality is close to what it is now. Elitists and the poor. Not much in between. The original choice was Kurt Russell, who starred in five Carpenter films, but he was already booked on the high profile steamy flop, Tequila Sunrise, alongside Michelle Pfeiffer and Mel Gibson.

What is the point of watching this? Well, it has one of the best, if not the best, fight scenes in all of cinematic history. A five minute long knock down drag out with Keith David, who Carpenter wrote the part for.

They Live. 4 out of 5 Stars.

Hey, its Halloween. Go watch it.

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