"They Live" - movie review
Posted: Sat Jan 18, 2020 4:12 pm
Watched yesterday a movie I wanted to see for some time, "They Live" by John Carpenter.
Yes, the underlying idea, taken as a metaphor, is good but, the development of the movie is not so good at all. Maybe that's just because it's an American movie of that time. I mean, much time is wasted in fighting, especially the first fight between the two good guys. Yes, it shows that one must be determined to let others know the truth ("will you put those glasses ?") but spending so much time on the actual fight is ridiculous. And then of course the heroes are fighting the bad guys and the actual fight with gunshots and explosions takes a good portion of the movie.
I'm convinced there are better ways to express the fight against 'they' that's actually more solid, more thoughtful. But gunshots, explosions and general violence attracts sales.
All in all, on the topic itself, on its metaphorical basis, it's a good movie. We are certainly coaxed on a daily basis to consume and 'obey'. The whole capitalist system is gauged on the criteria of expansion and consumerism. When a company is not doing more profits for the shareholders, then the company is in 'difficulty'. When people are not buying as much, then there are 'problems'. No need for ETs to do that, humans are very capable in that field.
OTOH, the treatment of the subject is rather lowly I find, tailored to attract sales. Not saying it's a bad thing, but it's not targeting the higher aspirations of the masses.
The music is nice. Kinda of modern slow blues, then picks up on the underlying chords but with a faster beat later on.
Yes, the underlying idea, taken as a metaphor, is good but, the development of the movie is not so good at all. Maybe that's just because it's an American movie of that time. I mean, much time is wasted in fighting, especially the first fight between the two good guys. Yes, it shows that one must be determined to let others know the truth ("will you put those glasses ?") but spending so much time on the actual fight is ridiculous. And then of course the heroes are fighting the bad guys and the actual fight with gunshots and explosions takes a good portion of the movie.
I'm convinced there are better ways to express the fight against 'they' that's actually more solid, more thoughtful. But gunshots, explosions and general violence attracts sales.
All in all, on the topic itself, on its metaphorical basis, it's a good movie. We are certainly coaxed on a daily basis to consume and 'obey'. The whole capitalist system is gauged on the criteria of expansion and consumerism. When a company is not doing more profits for the shareholders, then the company is in 'difficulty'. When people are not buying as much, then there are 'problems'. No need for ETs to do that, humans are very capable in that field.
OTOH, the treatment of the subject is rather lowly I find, tailored to attract sales. Not saying it's a bad thing, but it's not targeting the higher aspirations of the masses.
The music is nice. Kinda of modern slow blues, then picks up on the underlying chords but with a faster beat later on.