PhoncipleBone
Banned
Released in 1994, True Lies marked the end of an era. It was the last of Arnold's blockbuster films (excluding Terminator 3), and it was his final collaboration with James Cameron.
Arnold was on his way to becoming a star, but it was his work with James Cameron on The Terminator that made Arnold Schwarzenegger into ARNOLD SCHWARZENEGGER. Arnold's biggest success was with Cameron with Terminator 2 just three years prior to True Lies, and they always seem to bring out the best in each other's respective work.
True Lies is an odd little film. A remake of the French film La Totale! It is at times an intense action film, at times an over the top comedy. Sometimes, it manages to be both at the same time. This is one of Arnold's best action films, but also his best comedy. It is perhaps more over the top than all of his other films are, but not to the point of parody like his 80s filmography. True Lies starts big and over the top, but somehow keeps raising the bar higher and higher as it goes on, somehow topping itself, then circling back around to top itself at least three more times before finally stopping.
This film continues to show that there are few directors in the history of film able to stage and pull off action sequences as well as James Cameron. And it also took everyone by surprise by making Tom Arnold one of the coolest characters ever.
Arnold plays Harry Tasker. To his wife he is a seemingly boring computer salesman, but in reality he is a high level government agent for Omega Sector. For most of his married life, he has been able to keep his normal life separate from his spy life, but things will soon crash together and his family will never be the same.
In the field, Harry is only as good as those backing him up.
The support team.
First things first, Harry must find information on stolen weapons. And the only place to get that information is a high security party. So he breaks in the only way he knows how: through a frozen lake. Thankfully, he packed a change of clothes.
Who else can come out of a wet suit and look that suave? NO ONE!
Unfortunately, Harry is found out and must distract the guards somehow.
Care to tango?
After successfully dancing with Tia Carrere and making her want to bear his children, Harry must finally escape. But unfortunately, the party was invitation only:
Here's his invitation.
Thankfully he is saved by his team, and able to make their flight.
Who knew Tom Arnold was cool.
Back home at his normal, boring life; Harry keeps up the facade from his bitchy daughter (Eliza Dushku) and nerdy wife.
Just waiting to be unleashed
After nearly being killed by terrorists, Harry decides it is time to spice things up with his wife, Helen. But Harry finds evidence that his wife may be cheating on him.
And NOBODY cheats with Arnold's wife.
Harry and Gib investigate the new mystery man, Simon.
But they still gotta kill him. That's a given.
Just as we think the film might devolve into a lame romance subplot, James Cameron pulls out one of his good luck charms. The only man to fight (and be killed by) a Terminator, and Alien, AND a Predator. That's right, it's Bill Paxton.
Hey, because it's you.
Getting to know Simon, Harry realizes just how sick Helen's potential beau is.
Ass like a ten year old boy!
Even Harry has fantasies about Bill Paxton.
Pulling all of the government resources together, Harry must stop Simon and Helen hooking up.
Take her! Oh, God, don't hurt me!
Finally at his mercy, Harry sends Simon off for good.
He doesn't even know what he would do if he saw a gun.
I'm not worth a bullet. I'm nothing! I'm navel lint!
Tricking Helen, Harry unknowingly unleashes a side of Helen he never knew existed.
And straight men across the world rejoice, and curse Christopher Guest for getting to sleep with her every night.
Unfortunately, the terrorists from before hunt down Harry, and Helen is dragged into the mess.
What can he say? He's a spy!
And of course, Helen has questions of her own:
Have you ever killed anyone?
Thankfully they were all bad. Like these guys here:
Get another one you moron.
One thing after another, Harry kills many of his captors, and the action culminates with Harrier jets destroying a bridge, and rescuing Helen from an out of control car heading for certain doom:
Moments before one of the craziest stunts in the film.
Saving his wife, the romance is rekindled.
And just in time for a nuclear explosion
And just when you thought the movie couldn't get crazier, it just goes further:
Thankfully there was parking available.
The finale ends with the only way an Arnold movie should: an Arnoldism
You're fired.
The family is back together and happy, and Helen and Harry are the newest super spies in the game: Boris and Doris.
It is too bad the film never got a true sequel. It had the potential to be a great and fun franchise. But it will live forever as the end of an era of Schwarzenegger awesomeness, and the last collaboration (maybe) with James Cameron.
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