They Live (1988)

     I’ll preface by saying that this 1988 John Carpenter sci-fi film is up for a remake in the next year or two and the sunglasses will be absent.  Granted, this small fact will mean nothing if one has not seen the film in which aliens are cloaked in human form along with their subconscious commercialism brainwashing.  The hidden intergalactic race and their signs to buy more and obey orders are hidden to the human eye without the aid of oversized 80’s sunglasses.  In short, the entire premise of the movie relies on the glasses, as does its relevance as a late 1980’s artifact.
    Nada (nothing in Spanish) is also oversized and, should Mickey Rourke die sometime soon, be perfect for a biopic.  He’s a loner that finds a job in construction, befriends Keith David, and is introduced to a community of cooperative slum life where his handyman knowledge is much valued.  But if this film was composed entirely of a thick-necked loose-footed real-life pro-wrestler it would be about seven minutes long and conclude with him being crowned king of a small group of metal-sided shacks in the middle of a Los Angeles neighborhood.  Instead, an invisible species of aliens, conveniently shaped exactly like humans, inhabit human form and litter our world with simple messages of consumerism.  The most instantly recognizable is that with the instruction to obey.  Shepard Fairey would later construct the most successful street art campaign by pairing it with a stenciled Andre the Giant.  Conveniently enough, both Andre and Roddy Piper inhabit the pro-wrestling circuit.

    Our star happens upon a group of citizens aware of the secret alien race and blessed with the ability to see their disgusting faces, which resemble alien baby.  Life imitating art.  Naturally, a battle ensues as the knowers try to convince everyone else of the aliens controlling their money spending.  Unfortunately, the aliens have law enforcement on their side.  Fortunately, the humans have Nada.  In his best salute to Rambo he guns down alien after alien.  His mannerisms may be a bit reserved but he lets his fists do the talking.
    Carpenter is making some rather strong and obvious stabs at the state of consumerism in the late 80’s.  A society made of money hungry consumers who care more for their individual happiness than the health of their world does indeed warrant a rather alien feeling.  At the same time, keeping the aliens hidden recalls the marketing techniques employed that aim to promote a society of spenders.  Only when you can truly see what is in front of your eyes can you act any different towards the world around you, and hopefully more responsibly.  So a remake ditching the retro shades would be both disappointing and unwarranted.  A make-over seem more appropriate.
    But does this movie warrant a remake?  On the one hand no, it is just fine as is.  Some remakes are obviously just trying to cash in on something that has already worked without putting up too much money for something new to be written.  On the other hand, yes.  It is an awesome sci-fi film indicative of its time period that could be reworked for a modern audience; an audience that clearly has neither seen the original nor learned anything since its release.  Of course, we have seen this message before and most people don’t react positively when they perceive messages to be rammed down their throats.  My only hope is that they reenact the 5mintue and 20 second fight scene in a back alley that in no way propels the plot yet remains deliciously fun for any cult film fan.