True Lies (1994)

True Lies (1994)

8/10

Starring

Arnold Schwarzenegger

Jamie Lee Curtis

Tom Arnold

Tia Carrere

Bill Paxton

Directed by James Cameron

What’s not to love about the movie True Lies? The action is first-class, the actors all deliver excellent performances, and the story is true cinematic mastery. Nothing came close to this as one of the best Schwarzenegger movies of the 90s.

Over the years, I’ve seen this action-comedy plot reused, and even this movie is a James Cameron adaptation—or loose remake—of the 1991 French comedy film La Totale!

This ensemble cast—Arnold Schwarzenegger, Jamie Lee Curtis, Tom Arnold, Tia Carrere, Bill Paxton, Eliza Dushku, and Charlton Heston—will leave you craving more adventure when the movie ends. Cameron didn’t just make a movie about a man struggling to juggle life as a secret agent and a father; he found a way to involve the entire family in a complex plot.

The movie’s visual effects are unforgettable, and the one-liners will stick with you. It’s amazing that this movie never got a sequel, but with the way Hollywood is remaking things, I wouldn’t be surprised if it gets a reboot.

James Cameron wrote, co-produced, and directed this masterpiece, which was both a critical and commercial success. When it comes to Arnold’s sidekick, Jamie Lee Curtis, her acting in this movie is something I’ll never forget. For her performance, she won the Golden Globe Award for Best Actress – Motion Picture Musical or Comedy and the Saturn Award for Best Actress. Cameron, for his incredible work, won the Saturn Award for Best Director.

Although the movie has been criticized for being sexist and misogynistic—things you’ll notice quite clearly when you watch it—the lead’s behavior toward his wife at times feels unfair. However, I’d bet that wasn’t the message Cameron intended to convey.

In case you haven’t had the chance to see this movie, the plot follows U.S. government agent Harry Tasker. Harry is great at his job, but his major problem is his family. He’s absent-minded when it comes to them and barely notices the changes happening at home.

When things heat up at work, his path crosses with a terrorist who has smuggled stolen nuclear warheads into the country. Harry must deal with him while also navigating issues at home, as his wife and daughter seem to have secrets of their own.

True Lies is a wonderful movie—one I’ve seen so many times that I know I need to get a copy for my archive for future viewings.