Directed by:
James CameronCinematography:
Russell CarpenterComposer:
Brad FiedelCast:
Arnold Schwarzenegger, Jamie Lee Curtis, Tom Arnold, Bill Paxton, Tia Carrere, Art Malik, Eliza Dushku, Charlton Heston, Grant Heslov, Marshall Manesh (more)VOD (3)
Plots(1)
Arnold Schwarzenegger is special agent Harry Tasker, a top spy in the ultra-secret Omega Sector who also dances a mean tango- although to his neglected wife, Helen, (Jamie Lee Curtis) he's just a dull computer salesman. But while Harry's been busy fighting terrorists, Helen's been gathering secrets of her own. And when their two secret lives unexpectedly collide, Harry and Helen find themselves in the clutches of international terrorists, fighting to save not only their marriage but their lives as well. (official distributor synopsis)
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Reviews (11)
I had the idea that True Lies was one of the more digestible films of the acting genius Arnold Schwarzenegger, or rather one of several movies that I can give 3 stars. However, when I repeated the experience years later, it quickly became clear to me that the film contains a lot of nonsense, and the humor it possesses no longer appeals to me. The French original seems to me to be two classes better. Here the American budget and Arnold's myth earn it points. Overall impression: 45%.
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As I always say, as a rule, mono-genre films are not as attractive as those where there is a genre hodgepodge. And that's what True Lies is about. As much as I don't like action movies, here it's perfectly combined with comedy and a dash of romance, and the result is perfect. On the technical side of things, I have to commend the great cinematography and excellent editing of all the action scenes. As for the actors, I have no words. Arnie is just good at tough guy roles and he really excelled here. Jamie Lee Curtis was very good in the role of the naive desperate wife who can turn into a dragoness, and the icing on the already quite excellent cake was the dopey and unlucky Bill Paxton. In short, if you're going to make an action movie, combine it with comedy, add a great cast and put someone like James Cameron in the director's chair and it's a smash.
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If it weren’t for one detail it would be terrible nonsense but, because it’s pleasant and evidently a spoof, it’s a cool and relaxing watch. Arnie in his only good comedy role and, in addition to this, with the more than titanic help of Jamie Lee Curtis who is overflowing with comedy talent. Cameron’s directing is on top of everything and especially the final part is action-packed and brimming with desperate jokes. A movie that returned star status for Arnie that was definitely deserved. The only downfall is the rather excessive running length. Although the beginning and the ending work excellently, True Lies runs out of breath somewhere around half-way through. And that’s too bad.
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If James Cameron had realized that sometimes less is truly more and had ditched the runtime of around two and a half hours, this could have been a truly excellent film. The chase with the daughter is indeed action-packed, but after two hours, it still feels unnecessary. The film tries to open and then close too many things, which is probably its biggest flaw. Otherwise, it's a beautiful example of a gritty action comedy that works great in other respects.
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I can't help it, but Arnie using his alternating 3-4 standard grimaces with more intensity than ever before does not make for good acting. The wooden muscle man walks through the Bond exhibition with the elegance of a scared high school student, and one has to think that beating up villains suits him better. James Cameron did a pretty good job, but I really don't understand why a film with such a sparse plot has a full 144 minutes, when the content would fit into 90 minutes and the jokes into 20. Some of the action sequences (especially the one with Harrier) are great, whilst the seductive dance by Jamie Lee Curtis is really sexy and certain gags are perfect (for example, the one with the battery in the camera is still quite current today). Unfortunately, I was bored for most of the film and tried to find something truly supportive in this mix of family comedy and spy action. It's definitely not a story that fizzles out, it's definitely not Arnie's awkward etude, and it’s not even the bulging bodice of Jamie Lee and Miss Carrere's killer body... It's not even Cameron's direction... so what the hell is it???
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Gallery (92)
Photo © 20th Century Fox
![True Lies - Photos](http://image.pmgstatic.com/cache/resized/w663/files/images/film/photos/167/464/167464828_s2w921.jpg)
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