Thanks for checking out our Forgotten Fridays feature. This is a feature to review some older films that maybe you have forgotten about or maybe never got around to seeing that we just want to share. They may not be old, maybe not forgotten, but they are not new. Just fun to share.
Today, we review True Lies. Not forgotten but perfect for a Summer Blockbuster night in.
Genre: Action
Directed by: James Cameron
Staring: Arnold Schwarzenegger, Jamie Lee Curtis, Tom Arnold, Bill Paxton, Tia Carrere, Art Malik, Eliza Dushku
Released: July 15th 1994
THE GENERAL IDEA
Harry Tasker leads a double life. At work he is a government agent with a license to do just about anything, while at home he pretends to be a dull computer salesman. He is on the trail of stolen nuclear weapons that are in the hands of fanatic terrorists when something more important comes up. Harry finds his wife is seeing another man because she needs some adventure in her life. Harry decides to give it to her, juggling pursuit of terrorists on one hand and an adventure for his wife on the other while showing he can Tango all at once
THE GOOD
This is what makes this movie so perfect for a couple. Its got all the action and machismo you would expect from a Schwartzenegger film. The action is incredible, sometimes comical, and always thrilling. The film ramps up right off the start and doesn’t ever let go.
But the movie gives you breathers, but they are not wasted. The social interaction between Harry Tasker (Schwarzenegger) and his wife Helen (Curtis) is great. Then he is all business and back to work with the very witty Tom Arnold who has never been as good as he is in this movie. These moments of social banter are perfect. Every word is a laugh.
And just when you thought the movie was all laughs and action it brings some serious suspsense and emotionally grabs every loving couple and especially parents. In one of her earliest appearances Eliza Dushku who plays the daughter of the Taskers, finds herself in a hostage situation and you are sucked into the action, emotion and tension thats been quietly building.
THE BAD
The only bad thing is that its unlikely we would ever see a sequel. While most sequels are not as good as the first, this one sets up with an end that leaves you wanting more. A lot more. This is an awesome movie and I cannot say anything bad about anyone’s performances. Might be better we don’t get one as it could be bad. But if its half as good as this one, it can’t be bad.
OVERALL
You feel for these characters. Its a rare quality in an action flick. Its not just senseless violence and explosions, but it has those in spades as well. As a couple, you feel for the stagnant rut their lives appear to be in and you live the excitement of their circumstances. You see the connection between Swarzenegger and Curtis and hope for more between them. As a parent you feel that tension when their child is in danger.
You connect emotionally and have a great time. Lots for the guys with the exposions and one liners, and lots for the girls with the relationships and the romance. Somewhere in the middle is the perfect mix of chick flick and action. Ok, more action than chick flick stuff, but both of you will be happy.
Since all of these Forgotten Friday reviews are going to be what I would already give a high rating to, I had a Tv, Rent or Buy scale going on, but it would seem that an overwhelming majority of my picks get a BUY rating.
So with every Forgotten Friday you see from now on, you get to rate your anticipation for yourself!
TV – If you are at least a little curious, catch it if it comes on TV.
Rent – If it is something you have heard of and forgotten, or just remember enjoying this as much as I did once upon a time, go rent it.
Buy – But if you are like me, and you agree with my review you should go buy it. If its featured here, I already have.
