True Lies (1994)

This is the third Arnie movie I didn't like, bu that's ok, he has some good and bad, the story is long and dull but the acting is good. I just didn't like this film.I give True Lies a 3/10

At the time of this film's release, several recent films had unsuccessfully tried to make a full-on action film a comedy at the same time. Examples included Hudson Hawk, Stop Or My Mom Will Shoot and Arnold's own Last Action Hero the year before. These films often did not work as they either were too inconsistent in terms of the tone, too heavy with references or badly acted. However, I feel this film does get it right. The film is, like Arnold's often are, a wild thrill ride from beginning to end, and the script is nicely peppered with funny one-liners and amusing gags. It has enough humour to make it a comedy, but not too much that it takes away the action and becomes a parody (like Last Action Hero).The film is about Harry Tasker (Arnold Schwarzenegger), who is the top spy/secret agent in America, yet his wife Helen (Jamie Lee Curtis) and daughter Dana (Eliza Dushku) believe him to be a computer salesman. He works with Gib (Tom Arnold) and Faisil (Grant Heslov) under the command of Spencer Trilby (Charlton Heston), and over the course of the film, stops a terrorist threat headed by Salim Abu Aziz (Art Malik), who has hidden nukes in Persian statues bought from dealer Juno Skinner (Tia Carrere). During the first half of the film, he also uses his spy equipment to discover that Helen is having an affair with Simon (Bill Paxton), a used car salesman who claims to be a spy in order to seduce women.True Lies is long for an action movie, however the aforementioned humour stops it from dragging or becoming dull, as we never know what gag we're next going to be presented with. It is an all round good film - good editing, nice sets/costumes, and a story that ties up all its loose ends by the conclusion. For its time, the visual effects and physical stunts are stunning (although after T2 this was pretty much expected). I have always been an admirer of James Cameron, and he truly delivers here in terms of his directing, as some of the set- pieces are just incredible (it is no surprise that this was the most expensive film ever at the time).For this type of film, it is also very well cast and acted. Schwarzenegger gives his best comedic performance (and one of his best overall) as Harry, and I always felt Curtis was unfairly snubbed at the Oscars (she won the Golden Globe), as she really does have a wide range in this movie, and is effective at both drama and comedy. In addition, I thought Tom Arnold, the late great Bill Paxton and Art Malik were perfectly cast as the sidekick, lover and villain, respectively. Tom Arnold shows how funny he can be when given good jokes, and has great chemistry with Schwarzenegger. Malik strays away from some of his previous roles and is completely believable as a terrorist, while Paxton is simply a comedic joy on screen, with his banter with Schwarzenegger being the funniest moment for me. As well, I liked Heston in his minor role as head spy, as only he could give someone like Schwarzenegger so much of a talking-to.In conclusion, the perfect film for pure entertainment, containing laughs, heart, and action. If not for Schwarzenegger and Cameron's previous work, this film would be better rated and remembered.

Continuing my plan to watch ever movie in Arnold Schwarzenegger's filmography in order, I come to his 3rd and last collaboration with James Cameron. 1994's True lies. Plot In A Paragraph: Harry Tasker (Arnie) leads a double life. At work he is a government agent with a license to kill, while at home he pretends to be a dull computer salesman. Whilst on the trail of stolen nuclear weapons that are in the hands of terrorists, Harry discovers his wife is seeing another man, because she needs some excitement in her life. From memory, this is the oaks last great movie. What a way to bow out. Arnie gives one of his better performances (except when he is laughing at the end, when they are playing thumb wars) however Tom Arnold totally steals the show. He gets the best laughs and is truly a joy to watch!! Art Malik is great as the bad guy, as is Tia Carrera and Jamie Lee Curtis looks great, and has fun with her dual roles. True Lies finished the year, the 3rd highest grossing movie of 1994, with a domestic gross of $146 million (only Lion King and Forrest Gump grossed more) to become The Oaks second highest domestic earner.

An all-around winner, this movie has it all: action, comedy, romance, suspense, thrills, and explosions! Fantastic casting and all the main actors pull off their characters flawlessly. Arnold manages to achieve some believable wry humour, Jamie Lee Curtis plays the boring career mom so well, you forget that she's played a vixen many times before. The plot is ridiculous and unbelievable, but at the same time, engaging and has a few twists. The only question is - why hasn't this been released on blu-ray yet as a special edition with all the extras??? Come on James, i refuse to watch this again with the crappy DVD I have, I want high-def!