True Lies

A visually stunning gem with the typical directorial signature of a master. Arnold Schwarzenegger delivers one of his best performances here, becoming a true charmer, he is he is absolutely irresistible as agent Harry Tasker. Throughout the movie, we get countless gags and see several excellent comedic scenes. The ending is one of those action sequences that are bound to make every viewer hold their breath. Another multimillion-dollar production where the money is truly visible. Everyone put their heart into it, including the King of the World, James Cameron, he truly is one of the best directors of all time. (01/27/2006)

If it weren’t for one detail it would be terrible nonsense but, because it’s pleasant and evidently a spoof, it’s a cool and relaxing watch. Arnie in his only good comedy role and, in addition to this, with the more than titanic help of Jamie Lee Curtis who is overflowing with comedy talent. Cameron’s directing is on top of everything and especially the final part is action-packed and brimming with desperate jokes. A movie that returned star status for Arnie that was definitely deserved. The only downfall is the rather excessive running length. Although the beginning and the ending work excellently, True Lies runs out of breath somewhere around half-way through. And that’s too bad. (04/21/2022)

We, the audience, are lucky that no one has offered Arnold the role of James Bond yet (a terrible idea), but here he fits the role of a secret agent very well. He tryes to act and it doesn't look bad at all. The script is good, the storyline with the irresistible "super agent" Bill Paxton is funny and Jamie Lee Curtis is a born comedian. The horse and motorbike chase is excellent and especially the whole final half hour is one big action orgasm. Arnold should kiss Cameron’s feet. (09/27/2003)

In the film's prologue, a secret agent subtly infiltrates a tightly guarded party of bourgeoisie, speaks five languages flawlessly, seduces a beautiful art collector, and busts out a tango so classy it would make Argentineans throw their hats on the floor in frustration. And the agent is played by Arnold Schwarzenegger, who normally leaves wreckage behind him just by walking into a room and hasn't been able to learn English in forty years. Like sorry kids, but this is total comedy gold. Cameron is fully aware of what he holds in his hand so he knows that all he has to do is zoom the camera into Arnold's face at the right moment and he’ll bring you to your knees. Completely against current tradition, this action comedy is actually action (whereas these should be two automatically kindred genres since they're mostly about rhythm, pacing, and editing) and even though the second half falls a little short of the first half, once Schwarzenegger picks up an AK with his foot and shoots four people in a single second, all is absolutely forgiven. (10/31/2022)

Sometimes there is great power in simplicity. Arnold the is simplest famous actor ever, but we eat his every fist and grin, and there’s also Jamie Lee Curtis, who looks simply divine in a bathing suit, sidekick Bill Paxton, who is intellectually simple and wryly funny, and James Cameron, who can make a simple action comedy almost as surely and imaginatively as he can make his visual spectacles. It's unnecessarily long and the ending evokes the overblown Commando from the 80s (especially in terms of body count), but it’s still great fun and one of the best representatives of Hollywood action of the 90s. 85% (10/12/2012)