7.8 | / 10 |
Users | 4.0 | |
Reviewer | 4.5 | |
Overall | 4.0 |
A drifter discovers a pair of sunglasses that allow him to wake up to the fact that aliens have taken over the Earth.
Starring: Roddy Piper, Keith David, Meg Foster, George 'Buck' Flower, Peter JasonHorror | 100% |
Thriller | 25% |
Sci-Fi | Insignificant |
Action | Insignificant |
Video codec: HEVC / H.265
Video resolution: 4K (2160p)
Aspect ratio: 2.35:1
Original aspect ratio: 2.39:1
English: Dolby Atmos
English: Dolby TrueHD 7.1 (48kHz, 24-bit)
English: DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 (48kHz, 24-bit)
English: DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 (48kHz, 24-bit)
English SDH
Blu-ray Disc
Two-disc set (2 BDs)
4K Ultra HD
Slipcover in original pressing
Region A (locked)
Movie | 4.5 | |
Video | 4.5 | |
Audio | 5.0 | |
Extras | 5.0 | |
Overall | 4.5 |
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%.
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.
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.
UHD:
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.
Collector's Edition | Exclusive Bubble Gum Pink 7" Vinyl
1988
Collector's Edition | Sacred Bones Records Exclusive Red-and-Blue Swirl 7" Vinyl + NECA action figure of Frank Armitage
1988
Collector's Edition | Exclusive Bubble Gum Pink 7" Vinyl + NECA action figure of Frank Armitage
1988
Includes Enamel Pin Set+Exclusive Poster
1988
Collector's Edition | Exclusive Black-and-White Swirl 7" Vinyl
1988
1988
Collector’s Edition | Limited Edition to 10,000
1988
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1988
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