Arnold Schwarzenegger has always been at his most convincing when asked to play a part that is totally unreal. The classic example of this is the Terminator series, where Arnie convincingly plays a killing machine with no emotions. Most actors would have to think hard about how best to play that part, but he waltzes through it. I have always suspected though that this was because director James Cameron told him to merely 'act natural'.
So when Cameron and Schwarzenegger teamed up again it was no surprise that they chose an action movie - the staple diet of most of their careers. Worryingly however, Arnie plays top secret agent Harry Tasker, debonair, suave, intelligent and resourceful. No I couldn't really see it either. Tasker has been a super-spy for fifteen years and none of his family know. They believe him to be a computer salesman and Tasker has his wife Helen (Lee Curtis) so completely convinced of this that their marriage is on the rocks through sheer boredom. Their other lives collide when Helen begins 'playing away' in search of the excitement she craves.
As action films go, True Lies is up there with the best. It has subplots, which is unusual, and gives them time to develop. Arnie is capable in the lead role and his obvious lack of acting talent never matters because he manages to be so very likeable. This is perhaps due to the enhanced roles given to his co-stars, which dims the spotlight on Arnie. These include Tom Arnold, Bill Paxton and Tia Carrere. Arnold in particular is excellent as Harry's despairing sidekick Gib, but all have plenty of material to work with and use it well.
True Lies contains plenty of excellent stunts as you would expect but many are also very original - the horse chase through Central Park for instance. But what sets it apart from other films in this genre is its humour. Never afraid to laugh at itself this is the product of a director and star who have done it all before. Favourites include Gib hiding behind a lamppost much thinner than him, but which miraculously deflects all bullets, and Tasker scolding his horse for being sane.
This is an excellent action film which manages to be low-brains rather than no-brains. If you like action films then this one takes the genre to the next level. Watch out also for a young Eliza Dushku. I always had faith she would turn out rather fine. |
