Rating summary

Movie		4.5
Video		4.5
Audio		5.0
Extras		5.0
Overall		4.5

They Live 4K Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Brian Orndorf January 19, 2021

After experiencing a little more creative freedom with 1987’s “Prince of Darkness,” writer/director John Carpenter trades horror for political and social commentary in 1988’s “They Live.” Endeavoring to inspect the illness of America during the 1980s, specifically the reality of Reaganomics, Carpenter transforms a short story (five pages long!) by Ray Nelson into an examination of class divide, using science fiction as a way into a study of a population unknowingly brought to its knees. With “They Live,” Carpenter brings down action and suspense to explore the state of the union, doing so with exciting playfulness and directness as he takes on the strange power plays of the E.T. 1%.

Nada (Roddy Piper) is a man without a home, trying to find work in a country that doesn’t have time for its poorest citizens. Befriending Frank (Keith David), a man in a similar situation, Nada finds a bed in a Los Angeles homeless community, noticing strange happenings in a nearby church. Investigating the building, Nada comes across special sunglasses capable of seeing the real world, exposing the shaken man to an alien takeover of American society, with the invaders becoming rich and powerful, enslaving humanity though poverty.

“They Live” isn’t in a hurry to get anywhere. Carpenter dials down pace to best deal with Nada’s awakening, putting the character into contact with the strange sunglasses just as he finds work at a construction site and a bed in a “Hooverville”-esque shanty town. Carpenter offers an introductory first act that simply observes Nada’s investigation, taking in strange experiences, including a secret T.V. broadcast that shares news of alien ways. “They Live” is something of a detective story before Nada finds the sunglasses, with the production making clear points about the downtrodden, surveying a group of people who played by the “rules” of the country, only to be discarded by the elite.

Once the sunglasses arrive, “They Live” perks up, highlighting Nada’s dizzying journey around town, learning how the aliens use subliminal messages to maintain order and a special signal to cover their gruesome appearance. While the casting of pro-wrestler Piper, the one and only “Rowdy Roddy,” is initially unsteady, the actor sharpens when more physical activity is required, with Nada making himself a nuisance before taking on the undercover establishment. Frank is the reluctant partner, offered as a friend and eventually an opponent during a six-minute-long alleyway brawl, with the helmer getting his “Quiet Man” wiggles out with a highly amusing sequence of city brawling between profoundly fatigued men. Along the way, “They Live” makes points about control (the visitors always encourage humans to sleep) and consumerism, smashing through yuppie culture and with clenched fists, keeping the picture away from a lightly satiric event. Carpenter does much better in rage mode, showing his frustrations with the decade and its leadership.

They Live 4K Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Screenshots are sourced from the Blu-ray disc.

"They Live" arrives on 4K UHD with a 2160p image (2.35:1 aspect ratio) presentation in Dolby Vision. Those accustomed to the 2012 release from Shout Factory should be pleased here, offered a more film-like appearance with satisfactory grain structure. Detail emerges with care, showcasing deep facial particulars on the cast, pinpointing rougher skin and heavy make-up. Alien masks are well defined. Costuming is fibrous, from formal wear to Nada's jeans-and-flannel everyman outfit. Distances are dimensional. Colors are striking, with heavier reds on emergency lighting and bright blue clothing. Also pushing through is eye color, with Foster's famous peepers distinct. Urban tours are appealingly colder with concrete views, and greenery is vivid. Skintones are natural. Alien world black and white is secure. Highlights aren't striking, offering more subdued flashes of lighting, in line with the original cinematography. Delineation is satisfactory. Source is in excellent condition.

They Live 4K Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The 7.1 Dolby TrueHD mix handles with depth, offering lively atmospherics with work sites and group activity, keeping surrounds active with various atmospherics and mild panning effects. Scoring registers with weight, delivering deep John Carpenter and Alan Howarth synth that fills the soundscape, offering sharp instrumentation and dramatic support. Dialogue exchanges are crisp and balanced, managing surges in panic and quieter, reflective moments between characters. Low-end has a decent sense of heaviness with scoring cues and explosions. Sound effects register as intended, with snappy gunfire and portal jumping.

They Live 4K Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

UHD:

• Commentary features writer/director John Carpenter and actor Roddy Piper.

• And a Theatrical Trailer (1:59, HD) and a Teaser Trailer (:54, HD) are included.

Blu-ray

• Commentary features writer/director John Carpenter and actor Roddy Piper.

• "Independent Thoughts" (10:07, HD) is an interview with writer/director John Carpenter, who details his love of sci-fi, preferring it to horror. Inspired by comics and "Invasion of the Body Snatchers," Carpenter created the script for "They Live," using his rage with Reaganomics to generate a proper tone for the feature. Casting choices are shared, including Roddy Piper, who brought choice one-liners and physical might to the part. The lengthy fight sequence is explored, and Carpenter comments on a few of the stunts. The interviewee also examines the "sunglasses vision" found in the picture, along with make-up achievements. Carpenter concludes with an analysis of the ending and remarks on the timeliness of the material.

• "Woman of Mystery" (5:20, HD) is an interview with actress Meg Foster, who remarks on the relevancy of the material and offers her impression of Roddy Piper, who was relatively new to screen acting at the time. Foster also delves into character backstory and decision making.

• "Watch, Look, Listen: The Sights and Sounds of 'They Live'" (11:14, HD) gathers cinematographer Gary B. Kibbe, stunt coordinator Jeff Imada, and co-composer Alan Howarth to explore their roles in the making of the movie. Kibbe recalls his use of a widescreen space and make-up issues on Meg Foster, Imada goes into the creation of the fight sequence and his unexpected recruitment to play most of the "ghouls" in the effort, and Howarth explains how John Carpenter approaches his work, with the pair finding the rhythm of the film.

• "'They Live' Panel Discussion" (20:23, HD) is an undated visit to the Texas Frightmare convention, with Ain't It Cool News covering an actor reunion with Roddy Piper, Keith David, and Meg Foster.

• "Man vs. Aliens" (11:13, HD) is an interview with actor Keith David, who recalls his experience working with John Carpenter on "The Thing," which was his film debut. Coming from the theater, David adjusted his technique for the screen, and remained incredibly excited about the picture's 1982 release, only to watch it fail. For "They Live," David explored his character and the experience of homelessness. Thoughts on Carpenter's improved on-set communication are shared, and fight sequence memories are offered, working well with Roddy Piper. Also of importance to the interviewee is firearms training, making sure his handling of weapons was accurate.

• "Making Of" (8:02, SD) is a 1988 overview of the creation of "They Live," with John Carpenter walking through the themes of his material and his execution of certain scenes. Of real value here is BTS footage, offering peeks at the production in motion.

• Photo Gallery (2:17) collects publicity shots, BTS snaps, film stills, and poster art.

• "Never-Before-Seen Footage" (2:35, SD) highlights the work of Larry Sulkis, who created faux advertisements for "They Live."

• T.V. Spots (1:55, SD) provide four commercials for "They Live."

• And a Theatrical Trailer (1:57, HD) is included.

They Live 4K Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

After a weirdly brief theatrical run, "They Live" has grown into a cult classic, winning over viewers with its dark humor, fisticuffs, and unsettling alien activity. It's often heralded as a relevant picture, but in 2021, it's downright eerie to watch the 1988 feature resemble the world we live in today. Carpenter makes a wildly entertaining movie with effective twists and turns (supported by another knockout synth score from the helmer and Alan Howarth), but his prescient look at the erosion of America through unchecked power remains as potent as ever.