eric262003 "True Lies" stands the test of time as being one of the most well-crafted action films ever made. Director James Cameron lets in on his signature traits by adding suspense and comedy while trying to appease to fans who are aficionados of differing genres. With a very humorous background, this story doesn't just depend on stunts, explosives, dynamic fighting scenes, strong female fighters and secret agent gadgets, it also provides strong character development, caring characters and brilliant performances. This is one of the best action film from the 1990's.The opening scene which has a similar setting to that of James Bond proceeds in Switzerland where black operative Harry Tasker (Arnold Schwarzenegger) rises out of a pond while he removes his wetsuit only to discover that he is wearing a tuxedo underneath it. After becoming suspicious of antiques dealer Juno Skinner (Tia Carrere), Tasker along with his cohorts Albert Gibson (Tom Arnold) and Faisal (Grant Heslov) he continues on his dangerous initiative to search for a Palestinian Group known as the Crimson Jihad. This opening scene was really well executed mainly to the scintillating score from Cameron regular Brad Fiedel. This is awesome because most opening scenes in a lot of movies start that way often.The film then goes what feels like a different direction, but still pulled off effectively. We come to his wife Helen (Jamie Lee Curtis) who works at a rather generic job at an office and only sporadically ever sees her husband, who she believes is due an equally unexciting job as a computer software salesperson. When really he has a much cooler and more dangerous job than that.When Harry assumes that Helen has been promiscuous behind his back with an esoteric spy named Simon (Bill Paxton), Harry tries to use his secret agent persuasion to get her back into his life. In a brilliant comical scheme to push aside the mayhem, as Gibson conjures up a very difficult task against the untrustworthy car salesperson. While this is happening, the Crimson Jihad are planning on igniting nuclear warhead on America as where Harry's professional life is just as much in danger with his personal life.Much like "The Terminator" films, where Schwarzenegger's physique is to better use than his acting capabilities, few films require him don his limited acting chops. But still he was successfully able to amount enough chemistry from his co-star Jamie Lee Curtis who delivered a very courageous and endearing performance enough to get a Golden Globe nod and from Tom Arnold who was able to stand up to Schwarzenegger's more macho scenes. Many kudos to Cameron who wrote a splendid adaptation of the French film "La Totale!" which had some surreal moments of slapstick into the heart-pounding action this film delivers.The stunts and the explosions are well executed and shows Cameron's inner child for his love over-the-top thrills. Highly intense shootouts are adrenaline pumping scenes, but the motorcycle chase through the Marriott is one of the most memorable scenes in cinematic history. That along with the cat fight that leads up to an exhilarating car chase. If that's not enough to keep you glued it comes complete with grenades, flamethrowers and missiles. Though it's sound cliché, but the bad guys have what they got coming to them and Schwarzenegger can truly deliver. Sure there are some flaws where you must ignore from logic, but it's got plenty of action, buddy-cop moments, marital reparations, terrorist plotting and a recurring thematic tango. It's the ultimate film that's both a guilty a pleasure and an exciting thrill-ride.

John Brooks This is the Arnie movie you haven't watched, haven't heard of and should watch if you have any appreciation for 90's action flicks. They're often easy and fun to watch, well constructed, possibly have a bit of a worthwhile morality to it and contains lots of improbable, humorous moments. Well, this James Cameron forgotten flick does all of that, and does it very well. You'll forget it runs at over 2hrs20min because it never lets down and the plot continues to maintain a solid level, evolving and throwing new elements in smoothly as it goes. Of course Arnie is Arnie as ever, and Jamie Lee Curtis puts in a superb, surprisingly complex performance as her character is put through all sorts of awkward positions and situations. Good action scenes, and lots ! - genuinely good laughs, some good criticism about more identifiable issues (within couples, for instance), and a great climax at the end. Watch it, it's that enjoyable. Really a fun, worthwhile Cameron/Arnie flick.

reznor9 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!

Deigues "True Lies" is an action-comedy from James Cameron. It opened in theaters in 1994 and it was one of the last watchable movies of Schwarzenegger's career - before his stint into politics.The main plot is nothing spectacular (far from it): it takes a generic and stereotypical antagonist (in this case a Palestinian terrorist) and instills him with an infinite rage towards the USA. He becomes particularly dangerous when he manages to take control of nuclear weapons, making him Schwarzenegger's main target, as he seems to be the only person who can stop the terrorist and ultimately save the world. *Sigh*Thankfully, this plot gets sidetracked along the way and a more interesting one takes over. Schwarzenegger plays the role of a secret agent, but he isn't the sort of spy with a dark and troubled past nor is he a suave and carefree bachelor – he's married. On the one hand, his spy life is unbeknown to his wife (Jamie Lee Curtis), who is convinced he is nothing more than a boring computer salesman and, even worse than that, a boring husband. On the other hand, Schwarzenegger is clueless to the unhappiness of his wife, whom he believes to be a fulfilled and satisfied woman - which of these lies is worse seems to be debatable.While most of the films in Schwarzenegger's career saw him as nothing more than a supremely built being and completely ignored the growing of his age (he was pushing 50 around the time of shooting), "True Lies" seems to be one of the few that recognized this fact and used it to its advantage. While the hero is still above most of his enemies, there is a human side to him and it's that side that draws us the most.I found myself entertained by the tension surrounding the struggling couple, as hijinks quickly ensue and they are both thrust into Schwarzenegger's spy world. Unfortunately, the couple's storyline seems to finish at the beginning of the third act. After which the film prolongs its welcome with 20 extra minutes of pure action to neatly tie a very thin and generic plot that nobody really cares about.Still, "True Lies" achieves what it sets out to do. It's a fun movie with a lot of action, explosions, special effects and elements of comedy underneath. While it is far from being Cameron's most inspired work it is still a rather enjoyable film.