Looking at it again with fresher eyes, Carpenter was implying that the aliens were exploiting the earth like imperialists do in third-world countries. While not overtly leftist i.e. people aren't talking theory and such, the film oozes working class sentiment and is super cynical and punched at Reagan and capitalism.
Everyone should watch it!
This line had to be adlibbed because it's so perfect.
I had to rewatch it after I went on huge slavoj zizek binge some months ago, and it holds up so goddamn well.
Also if anyone wants to watch any zizek, I think all his films and here, free to watch. Use the scroll wheel to find the one you want (Pervert's Guide to Ideology has We Live in it)
and it holds up so goddamn well.
It really does! The movie still feels just as fresh and relevant in 2021 as it did back in 1988. Guess that says a lot, huh? Also has one of the absolute best fight scenes in cinema history. Just two dudes punching and kicking the shit out of each other until exhaustion for almost 10 minutes.
The 80s and 90s were a golden age for scifi with some biting social commentary.
Yeah they absolutely missed the entire point of the movie. The movie is a fucking bullhorn of COCAINE FUELED CAPITALISM OF THE 80S IS BAD AND IS HURTING THE WORKING CLASS. But nah, the aliens are jews who want to enslave da white man.
I have so much respect for Carpenter. He's like a dying breed of blue collar film makers. I hold him in regards with the likes of George Romero. Just such a shame They Live got warped by chuds, we need to take it back.
I guess that’s all you can do with satire because the chuds will always claim it as good and cool for the wrong reasons.
Love the old hobo who sold out and got in with the aliens, fucking class traitor!