...a combination James Bond and Superman flick, with Big Arnold living a double life as a mild-mannered computer salesman and a dashing secret agent.
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It is a tribute to Schwarzenegger's maturity as an actor that he is able to pull off one of his most successful and exciting features without once baring his chest.
"True Lies" is a combination James Bond and Superman flick, with Big Arnold living a double life as a mild-mannered computer salesman and a dashing secret agent. Fox´s DVD presentation is virtually without fault, making the film a must buy for action-adventure fans.
With tongue firmly in cheek, the movie begins with a takeoff on "Goldfinger," Schwarzenegger swimming up to an elegant mansion in a wet suit, taking it off to reveal a full tuxedo beneath. Then there´s the usual derring-do as Arnold goes after a ring of international terrorists. But that´s only half the story. On the other side we have his wife, played by Jamie Lee Curtis, dutifully waiting home for him. Up until a point. You see, she begins to find him boring, his traveling around all the time selling computer equipment. Then when he starts to neglect her, well....
Innocently, she becomes involved with a used-car salesman, played by Bill Paxton, who seduces women by pretending to be a super spy. No one does whining better than Paxton, and when Schwarzenegger finds out about him and his wife, he has a lot to whine about.
Anyway, the plot soon entangles the terrorists, the wife, and Schwarzenegger's fourteen-year-old daughter in a high-speed romp worthy of any Bond escapade. Highlights of the film include a wonderfully comic turn by Tom Arnold as Schwarzenegger's right-hand man; a beautiful adversary in Tia Carrere; and a grim and determined, one-eyed, head-spy honcho played by Charlton Heston
Add in some of the most stirring shoot-outs and chase scenes imaginable, or unimaginable, especially one episode involving a harrier jet that must rank among the most nerve-wracking ever filmed; and Ms. Curtis in almost any shot she´s in, from frumpy housewife to glamorous sidekick.
OK, maybe the film´s too long. And Curtis´s controversial strip dance was probably unnecessary. And there´s way too much profanity. But I can live with that. Director James Cameron strikes pay dirt again. Besides, could any movie that ends with Carlos Gardels' "Por Una Cabeza" tango be bad? Not on your life.
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[release]2034[/release]