MovieChat Forums > They Live (1988) Discussion > Are aliens that foolish?

Are aliens that foolish?

posted 5 years ago by [deleted]
6 replies | jump to latest

Why would a very well integrated alien culture allow their entire cover be hinged on a single point of failure like a satellite dish on the roof of a sky scraper in California? I know the movie needed a lynchpin to allow all the dominos to fall neatly and quickly but I'm wondering if anyone else could have written something better to make it seem more plausible.

Not that having an idiot like Buck Flower's character have so much access to the inner workings of the organization is any better but it could have been better written. The overall premise is great, for all it's faults it's still a great piece of sci-fi but a bit of time spent on a loose end or two could have really made it an excellent work.

[–] JunoItsBill (93) 5 years ago

I totally agree. The main idea of the movie is great, had lots of potential, but some aspects felt stupid/ridiculous. Just like you mentioned, allowing two guys who showed up and basically said “yeah I know you’re side” to be shown the inner workings of everyone then conveniently having the one satellite dish thing that controls everything be on the roof, with no defenses, was pretty ridiculous. But I guess that’s just the kind of movie they were going for, or at least I hope. I kind of wish a more serious version of this movie, or at least it’s aliens taking over the world and tricking everyone except a small resistance who is trying to wake the public up plot was used in a more modern and serious/well thoughtout movie.

[–] B1cKsurN (17407) 5 years ago

This was more plausible in 1988 when communication was way more primitive than today.

[–] Redsfan001 (6144) 5 years ago

I agree completely.

Hollywood reboots everything, even lame TV shows like "21 Jump Steet" and 'Chips' were made into movies.

For the life of me I don't know why Hollywood does not reboot this, with a little rework on the script and a more serious lead...maybe there are rights issues.

[–] Shibez (910) 5 years ago

Man I hope they don't remake it...it's my favorite movie..the cheesiness is what makes it great IMO. I mean the aliens knew the resistance wore sunglasses to see..yet none of the aliens bat an eye until someone wearing sunglasses starts shooting up alien's....lol

[–] bobbydallas (8515) 3 years ago

yes but they were extremely confident of their hiding ability

[–] Ace_Spade (9544) 3 years ago

Yes, you're right, but it's also not hard to imagine that They are just as stupid as We are. Humans are brainwashed and asleep, so maybe the aliens are also kinda sheeplike and just think they're invincible.

SPOILERS BELOW

Now, as to a re-write, it wouldn't even be that hard. At the Resistance meeting, Nada and Frank could have spoken with the leaders and found out that there are only a few of these transmission towers because they're hard to make, even for Them, but the Resistance - after many years - has finally coordinated worldwide and they're going to hit all of the towers globally at the same time - knock everything out once and for all! The other cells are relying on this West Coast Division to knock out the Cable 54 sat dish, otherwise the whole plan fails.

That'd actually raise the stakes because once the Resistance takes the hit, Nada and Frank would be the only people between victory and defeat. They are already, but us knowing that these two guys are now improvising what should have been a plan carried out by far more than two people.