Rating: 
Summary: A Truly Entertaining Film
Review: Arnold Schwarzenegger might very well be the only Republican I can stand to watch for the duration of a two plus hour film. He's funny, intellegent, well spoken and consistently churns out some of the best action movies around. Much of this success can be attributed to his partnership with Titanic director James Cameron, who's provided him with some his best material to date in the 1994 action/comedy True Lies.In it he plays Harry Tasker, a spy posing as a computer salesman to his wife and daughter, which is a funny concept in it of itself, let alone to have the Terminator cast in the title role. But what's so remarkable about his performance is that he does an astonishingly convincing job of passing himself off as an oafish slug. Yet even despite the domesticated way in which he presents himself to his family, it doesn't diminish his credibility as an intellegence agent, thanks in large part to his commanding presence which is never too far from the surface. The action gets off to a rousing start with a white knuckled opening sequence that's sure to leave you breathless. After a short break to develop the characters and the situation we're thrown back in the fray with a chase through the city streets of DC, leading from malls to parks and eventually winding up on the roof of the Mariott. It's really quite spectacular. Of course, they can't maintain this frenetic pace for long, so James Cameron makes the smooth transition into comedy with the introduction of Bill Paxton as a mystery man named Simon. You see, Simon's trying to bait Harry's wife, Helen (Jamie Lee Curtis), into an affair. Little does he know that this "bored housewife" is married to a spy who after overhearing her talk about him to a coworker puts the full wait of the CIA (or whatever agency it is that he works for) behind investigating their relationship. Sure it's "a misappropriation of government resources," as Tom Arnold chimes in, but when a movie's this much fun you don't question it's plausibility. The laughs keep coming for about an hour when the seamless transition is made back into action. The story somehow manages to shift into a plot involving Arab terrorists without disrupting the flow of the movie. The terrorists threaten to blow up one major US city each week until we withdraw our troops from the Persian Gulf. Its seems a reasonable request given the fact that we're not doing much good over there, but I won't get into that here. The terrorists are as sterotypical as ever which Cameron tries to counteract by adding a few token minorities, who serve no real purpose but are nice window dressing for 20th Century Fox. I suppose we've been spoiled by David O. Russell's groundbreaker Three Kings, which for the first time in a long time shed the Arab community in a primarily positive light. But I can't very well hold this against a Schwarzenegger film which has no other purpose than to entertain, and it does. Kudos to Tom Arnold as the wisecracking sidekick to Arnold's action hero role, and Jamie Lee Curtis who has never been more believeable than she is here as a frumpy housewife. But the performance that resonates most with me was from Bill Paxton, showing an inclination towards comedy in one of his best roles to date. As for Arnie, he does a nice job chewing on the scenery, delivering what lines he's given, but his performance is so rooted in his screen persona that I can't imagine anyone else being able to pull it off. This is the type of movie I wish James Cameron would revert back to. One with modest ambitions, not overwrought with sentimentality (or arrogance) like Titanic, but a whole hearted summer blockbuster that knows what it is and delivers.
Rating: 
Summary: A suite of superior performances
Review: Arnold Schwarzenegger simply refuses to take himself seriously. Who else could have made Twins or Junior after that string of muscle films? Recently, he seems to approach film making with an air of wry amusement. And that's very good for us, because with True Lies, he's achieved an almost unqualified success. This film is a collector's item for repeated enjoyment. Combatting terrorists has taken a grip on the American psyche. Big Arnie is a counter espionage agent who acts as a "software salesman" to his family. The dual role keeps him at the sharp end some of the time, but concerned father and devoted husband the rest. His wife is a legal secretary and effective housewife, arranging for repairs, rearing their daughter and doing the laundry. It's a pretty dull existence on the surface. She needs excitement, while her husband is experiencing almost as much of that as he can handle. As a James Bond character one moment and a middle class husband and father the next, Schwarzenegger displays a capacity unexpressed in his early films. His narrow escapes and rapid role changes are carried with suave assurance unseen in his earlier work. In this film he's able to carry off a variety of identities without missing a beat. Even when he reverts to his earlier smash 'em and crash 'em scenes, he manages it with full recognition of the role. It's not mindless, meaningless violence, but with the full characterization of the supposedly betrayed husband. Tom Arnold, as his fellow agent and backup turns in a superb performance. As the "older and wiser" long-time sufferer of failed marriages and director of Schwarzenegger's clandestine operations, he comes through with a fine display of wit. He's a born humourist and brings that talent to a fine pitch here. The other major male character, Art Malik is simply indescribable. You'd never believe him to be a native of the UK, he comes across as fresh from Iraq, Iran or out of Khaddafi's stable. He's a consummate terrorist leader right to the end. Bill Paxton, a used car dealer posing as an agent to pick up women, outdoes anything he's shown us before. It must have been a tough role to play, given the handling he receives from Schwarzenegger. He's despicable, but carries that image through in good style. Giving all the male actors in this film sufficient accolades isn't hard. They all perform without serious flaws. This film, however, is picked up and walked away with by Jamie Lee Curtis. Starting as a stodgy secretary-housewife, she moves into an almost romance with Paxton. "Rescued" by Schwarzenegger's team, she moves into an entirely new role for her. The hotel scene with Big Arnie must have given the Hollywood censors some uncomfortable moments in trying to rate this film. It would be fascinating to know if Jamie's "breakout" from her previously roles was really due to James Cameron or if she entered into the spirit of the thing on her own hook. It's certainly difficult to imagine Cameron sitting off to one side shouting positions for Curtis to assume during the hotel scene. The performances given in this film far outweigh the action sequences, stunning as they are. We can get all we want of that watching the James Bond flicks without ever seeing this level of characterizations. This film cries out for a sequel, particularly given the closing scene. Curtis, transformed by her exotic experiences following the revelation of what Big Arnie actually does for a living are superb. A good follow-up would be a perfect cap to what we view in this, the best of many of the performers here.
Rating:
Summary: Arnolds Last Good Action Flick
Review: Great action movie. This movie has pretty much everything you need so that you are entertainted for the full 2 hours. The opening scene really gets you going and the movie never really stops. Tom Arnold Delivers a really good performance as the sidekick to Arnold. Good sound quality so you can push that 5.1 system. This DVD is a must have for any action movie buff or Shwarzenegger fan. A
Rating:
Summary: Great Movie, Average DVD
Review: I'll let the rest of the reviews speak for the quality and plot of the movie. The DVD is just average. Although there are great animated menus, there just isn't anything special. It's presented in widescreen, with a good 5.1 mix, as well as subtitles and a few different languages. Bass response during explosions and gunshots were strangely low, with the music score overpowering most of the action scenes. However, the only special feature is a single theatrical trailer. If you watch the movie and then watch the trailer, you'll notice scenes and dialouge in the trailer that isn't even in the movie! The sole addition of these obviously "deleted" (and rather amusing) scenes and quips from Tom Arnold would make this DVD purchase much better. A director or actor commentary from what was obviously not just a "little action movie" would also add to it's value. For it's above average price you'd expect a little more. Although True Lies probably doesn't deserve the full Terminator 2 Ultimate Edition treatment, it's a shame because Cameron has been so responsive with his other DVD editions, like Aliens and The Abyss.
Rating:
Summary: Arnold Surprises
Review: Not not that Arnold, Tom Arnold. It is hard to imagine someone stealing a movie that includes Ah-nuld and Jamie Lee Curtis (though her striptease was hard to forget,) but it is even hard to imagine Tom Arnold, yes Tom Arnold from the movie "The Stupids", is the one to steal the show. Superbly written and perhaps better casting makes this one of, if not, my favorite Schwarzenegger movie. Arnold S. really showed some acting skills pulling off action, comedy and some true drama. I was impressed, but not as impressed as I was with Jamie Lee Curtis' dancing skills. Great flick, great story and tremendous action and actin'.
Rating:
Summary: Arnold!
Review: I'm sorry. This guy can almost do no wrong. And this flick certainly lives up to that. There isn't a single character that isn't appealing, and the story is just plain fun! The only thing left is the quality of the DVD itself - which is outstanding. If you have a surround sound system - watch out! Overall, this muscle-bound fellow has the same appeal that John Wayne had in the "old days". Remember, John Wayne was vastly under-rated for his acting ability. I think Arnold is just as sharp. Although, he's no Kenneth Branaugh, and he certainly doesn't have the versatility of, say, Mel Gibson, you have to admit that he has the same depth in some instances. Just think about the emotional reaction you have to his victories. Is there anything lacking, except perhaps for very specific theological ideals? If you have a TV - get this movie now.
Rating:
Summary: THE Action movie!
Review: This movie has everything, for everyone. From the 007 opening underwater break-in and the unforgettable Tango through to the action-packed Harrier Jet finale, this film is James Cameron's masterpiece. Shwarzenegger on horse-back chasing a terrorist on a motorbike through a hotel is something unique and extremely entertaining. There is also the sub-plot of the used cars salesman which in itself provides scenes full of laughs and action. This is both Shwarenegger's and James Cameron's best film to date. Even my mother liked this one, and she hates action movies. As I say, there is something in it to please everyone. It is my favorite of all time. Also this was the first ever movie shot in Dolby Digital, and what a surround sound experience it is!
Rating:
Summary: Awesome movie starring the king of action
Review: Hilarious action packed thrill ride. This movie has everything romance, action, comedy. Most of the critics of this film say that it is either degrading to women and the terrorists are stereotypical. I don't know what they're talking about but I wish everyone would quit calling everything stereotypical and degrading. Is everyone really getting so uptight that they can't sit back and watch a good movie without out whining about it? Can't wait for the sequel.
Rating:
Summary: This movie will stay with me FOREVER- and thats no lie!
Review: Maybe I have glorified this movie in my mind, because I watched it with my first love, but I don't think so. I love this movie so much, It's place is cherished in my home video collection. Not being much of an Action/Adventure lover, seeing a movie of this genre that also had a lot of comedy AND romance was very refreshing. I don't really like Arnold Schwarzenegger as an actor, but he actually shines in this role that he was born for. Jamie Lee Curtis is Amazing as usual, and Tom Arnold is hilarious. Tia Carrere plays a very good bad girl and the whole cast compliments one another. You'll laugh, you'll squirm with suspense in your seat, and you will LOVE this movie. I promise.
Rating:
Summary: AWESOME MOVIE
Review: Go buy True Lies. That's really all I have to say about True Lies. I'll go on about how funny it is, how much action it has, and how great of a plot it has but the point is this: GET IT. True Lies has A LOT of action. From a snow chase to a bathroom fight, (that leads to one of the most spectacular action scenes fimed) to a battle in the Florida Keys and to a brige chase and a harrier jet fight, True Lies is (if not the best) one of the best action films ever. It is also VERY funny. Tom Arnold (who plays Arnold's partner) is unbelievably funny. But the real funny person is Bill Paxton, who plays a sleazy used cars salesman who is trying to have affairs with Arnold's wife. All in all: PROS: AWESOME action sequences; VERY funny; good plot; great acting. (especially by Bill Paxton and Tom Arnold.) CONS: None. BOTTOM LINE: IF you're an action fan or a comedy fan, True Lies will give you just waht you want.
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