MovieChat Forums > They Live (1988) Discussion > Starts great but goes downhill fast

Starts great but goes downhill fast

posted a year ago by DAVID62627 (441)
11 replies | jump to latest

Starts off with an awesome, intriguing, creepy premise then turns into a stupid, cheesy, action movie

Probably a great example of a film that should be remade

[–] JFZ (1459) a year ago

When did it go downhill? I felt the build up dragged.

[–] Aylmer (616) 3 months ago

I feel that the film loses its legs right around when he kidnaps Holly and then becomes paint-by-numbers. We really didn't need a character like hers at all, nor anything like a "love interest" for him. I would have rather him continue his murder spree for a while after the bank with a high speed chase with police, maybe even a hostage type situation, etc. and to give him a more realistic means of slipping away (like the resistance comes to rescue him or distracts the cops enough so he can get away).

[–] ShogunofYonkers (78448) a year ago

I have to disagree.

It was an overall excellent 80s sci-fi classic with one of the greatest street brawls between two big tough guys plus the aliens were gross and scary!

10/10 imo Bub.

[–] Tam87 (1573) 3 months ago

Probably a great example of a film that should be remade

By who? Jordan Peele?

There is no one around now with the talent to make a better effort out of this story than the genius of John Carpenter. The music, atmosphere and cast are all of their time and can't be replicated.

[–] DoctorThirteen (15227) 3 months ago

I love Carpenter, but I've never been a fan of this one.

[–] Tam87 (1573) 3 months ago

How come?

[–] DoctorThirteen (15227) 3 months ago

I'm not a fan of his action stuff generally. I prefer him when he's doing creepy. I even like The Ward (although I know a lot of people don't). My favourite Carpenter is The Fog, that's a 10/10 for me and a watch every Halloween.

[–] Tam87 (1573) 3 months ago

I like all his films except when he gets too weird and ugly in stuff like Mouth of Madness, Vampires & Prince of Darkness. They're still ok, but they get too off the wall for me.

I do agree about the Ward, I liked it, and yes The Fog is Carpenter's magnum opus, it's a spooky masterpiece.

[–] DoctorThirteen (15227) 3 months ago

'I do agree about the Ward, I liked it, and yes The Fog is Carpenter's magnum opus, it's a spooky masterpiece.'

👍👍!!!!

[–] AnthonySocksss (1479) 2 months ago

I must be in the minority, watched The Fog wondering what the big deal was. Whereas They Live has endless rewatch-ability.

[–] DoctorThirteen (15227) 2 months ago

Just to check, it was the original The Fog you watched, and not the god-awful remake?