Cast: Roddy Piper, Keith David, Meg Foster
Director: John Carpenter
U.S. Distribution: Universal
U.S. Release Date: 1988
Running Time: 1:33
MPAA Rating: R
The director of Halloween (1978) and The Thing (1982) has stepped into the future with his latest movie.
Yes, John Carpenter is once again terrifying millions of moviegoers with a horrifying peek into the not-too-distant future.
They Live is the story of a drifter, played by ex-professional wrestler Roddy Piper, who stumbles upon the fact that many of the policemen, politicians and others in important positions aren't exactly from his world.
Special pairs of sunglasses (and contact lenses) are introduced, whereby humans are allowed to see the real faces of Cleveland. And it isn't a pretty site.
Before long, he and a friend, played by Keith David (Platoon), are locked into a battle against a city of strangers. Were it not for an overblown fight sequence pitting Piper versus David and some sub-par scripting, this could have been a sci-fi classic.
The movie relates that humans are often blinded to things that are right in front of their eyes, and that others aren't always who they appear to be. It is both thought-provoking and entertaining, despite the flaws.
© 1988, Delton Perrodin