MovieChat Forums > They Live (1988) Discussion > 7.1?? What a load of cr@p!!

7.1?? What a load of cr@p!!

posted 13 years ago by DawsonRoseDawson
66 replies | jump to latest

That said I totally love the concept.. I just think that so much more could have been done with this film given the ideas it covers..
The music.. Argh! at the half way mark I was actually getting frustrated, the fight scene, yes, great metaphor for how difficult it can be to make narrow minded people see what you want them to see but still..
Wouldn't you have legged it with the whole box of sunnies so that you could actually back up things you were trying to tell people?! And him climbing into the rubbish truck that just so happened to be doing it's rounds as he went back to find the glasses, then there being only one pair easily available from a whole box full!
The police beating people over the head with their truncheons when they raided the homeless ground.. The force they were using would have surely taken the recipients out with one blow.. Which made the truncheons look rubber to me..
The fight with the police in the side road but still totally in view of the busy traffic.. Again, surely would have attracted SOME attention?!
The trained forces/sniper types who continuously miss-fired but the civilians with guns got perfect shots every time..
So much wrong with this film in my opinion..
But like I said.. brilliant concept, some of the stuff I read about was briefly mentioned or portrayed, I think so much more could have been done with this material..
Bring on a re make!

[–] ravengammer 9 years ago

This movie broke my expectations, also proved john carpenter is one of the best directors ever, 9/10 at worst!

[–] CharlesVariations 9 years ago

This movie has a message, and I take in that message and I allow it to help me open up my eyes.
It doesn't have to be realistic to get that message across.

Only people with money say that money doesn't matter.

[–] gtbarker 9 years ago

I agree and it really does need a remake, but we have become even more greed is good since then and this film just wouldn't be made these days because Trumpites and Teabaggers would brand anyone involved a Commie anti-American.

'Well I've got two words for you - STFU'

[–] witster18 8 years ago

sometimes a film is just better than the sum of its' parts, and "They Live" for me is the poster child for that...

7/10
granted, I too considered and once even had it at 6/10, but while there's a lot that doesn't work with the film, there is a TON THAT DOES. The film really dives into the kind of deep, original territory that really trumps a lot of those issues if you ask me.

I wish it was a touch longer and explored things just a bit more, aside from that, it's a clever, weird, deep, and action packed thrill-ride worth every penny or time spent.

DON'T BRING ON A REMAKE!!!

Seriously?
Aren't you tired of Hollywood butchering good films from the 80's. LEAVE THEM ALONE!
Arthur
Footloose
Vacation
The Thing
on and on and on... and every last one SUCKS in comparison.. and if it happens it will too.