True Lies

1994

True Lies

Critics Consensus

If it doesn't reach the heights of director James Cameron's and star Arnold Schwarzenegger's previous collaborations, True Lies still packs enough action and humor into its sometimes absurd plot to entertain.

70%

TOMATOMETER

Total Count: 50

76%

Audience Score

User Ratings: 265,677
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Movie Info

Borrowing liberally from the French film La Totale, this is an action picture, domestic comedy, and political thriller rolled into a crowd-pleasing ball of entertainment. Producer James Cameron wrote and directed the film. Henry Tasker (Arnold Schwarzenegger) is a workaholic computer salesman neglecting his mousy wife Helen (Jamie Lee Curtis), a legal secretary. Simon (Bill Paxton) seduces Helen with the lie that he is a secret agent; he's really a used car salesman. Harry suspects that Helen is cheating on him, and he sends a few colleagues to kidnap them. Helen then discovers that Harry is a secret agent by night, working for a shadowy group called the Omega Sector. Harry and his partner Gib (Tom Arnold) are trying to find four nuclear warheads that have disappeared from a former Soviet republic.

Cast

Arnold Schwarzenegger
as Harry Tasker
Jamie Lee Curtis
as Helen Tasker
Tom Arnold
as Gib
Bill Paxton
as Simon
Tia Carrere
as Juno
Art Malik
as Aziz
Charlton Heston
as Spencer Trilby
Eliza Dushku
as Dana Tasker
Grant Heslov
as Faisil
Marshall Manesh
as Khaled
Mali Finn
James Allen
as Colonel
Karina Lombard
Dieter Rauter
as Boathouse Guard
Jane Morris
as Janice
Katsy Chappell
as Allison
Crystina Wyler
as Charlene
Ofer Samra
as Yusif
Paul Barselou
as Old Guy in Bathroom
Charles Tamburro
as Helicopter Pilot
Jean-Claude Parachini
as Jean-Claude
Uzi Gal
as Lead Terrorist
Majed Ibrahim
as High-Rise Terrorist
Armen Ksajikian
as Juno's Chauffeur
Mike Akrawi
as Jihad Cameraman
Mike Cameron
as Citation Pilot
Charles Cragin
as Samir
Louai Mardini
as Breadvan Terrorist No. 1
Gino Salvano
as Breadvan Terrorist No. 2
Scott Dotson
as Harrier Pilot
Tom Isbell
as Reporter at Hi-Rise
John Bruno
as Custodian
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Critic Reviews for True Lies

All Critics (50) | Top Critics (11) | Fresh (35) | Rotten (15)

  • Schwarzenegger's comic confidence and good-guy tenacity are a perfect balance, while Curtis wins our sympathy as his repressed wife, showing some deadpan drollery of her own.

    Jul 15, 2019 | Full Review…

    Duane Byrge

    Hollywood Reporter
    Top Critic

  • If the Gulf War gave you an insatiable taste for burning oil and burning Arabs, this extravaganza will tide you over for at least a couple of days.

    Dec 11, 2009 | Full Review…

    Jonathan Rosenbaum

    Chicago Reader
    Top Critic

  • Providing its share of fun in stretches, pic ultimately overstays its welcome with a level of mayhem that will simply feel like too much for any marginal fan of the genre.

    Jan 23, 2009

    Brian Lowry

    Variety
    Top Critic

  • Half the time, this hi-tech action movie delivers, in a mindless kind of way: it's fast, crude and has enough explosions and cartoon-style violence to satisfy our baser instincts.

    Jun 24, 2006 | Full Review…

    Geoff Andrew

    Time Out
    Top Critic

  • As this comedy of manners unfolds, it is played for all-out action as well as satiric humor.

    May 20, 2003 | Rating: 3.5/5

    Caryn James

    New York Times
    Top Critic

  • However high your ranking on the culture scale, I defy you to watch this and leave the theatre without a whistled 'Wow' followed by a grudging 'That's entertainment.'

    Apr 12, 2002 | Full Review…

    Rick Groen

    Globe and Mail
    Top Critic
View All Critic Reviews (50)

Audience Reviews for True Lies

  • Feb 06, 2017
    I seem to like True Lies a significant amount less than most people do. And it's not because it isn't my type of movie either, Schwarzeneggar as a secret agent in an explosive 90s action movie is absolutely my jam. But I don't love True Lies, maybe I saw it too late in life (I was 25 the first time I saw the whole movie) and either I aged out of it or the movie aged out of society, but whatever the case, I just can't really understand why it's so beloved. I would never take it away from anyone, and there's absolutely stuff I like, but I can't really recommend it based on personal taste.
    Gimly M Super Reviewer
  • Sep 03, 2016
    A great popcorn summer blockbuster with everything you look for. Good story, humor, and awesome action set pieces.
    Kameron W Super Reviewer
  • May 07, 2016
    "True Lies" is still a superb film but is one of director "James Cameron's" weaker movies. The plot to "True Lies" is "Harry Tasker" portrayed by "Arnold Schwarzenegger" who pretends to be an innocent and loving husband to his wife "Helen Tasker" portrayed by "Jamie Lee Curtis" but secretly is a spy. Eventually both his lives become one. The movie opens with "Harry" on one of his usual night jobs. The scene is both exciting and visually beautiful to watch. Throughout the movie it's both humorous and dramatic to find out that "Helen" may be having an affair with another man. The scenes are good to watch but occasionally make the movie feel like a romantic comedy more than an action film. The movie's climax feels unsatisfactory and rushed due to a weak villain death. One thing thanks makes "True Lies" great to watch is its humor, which is mostly delivered by "Arnold Schwarzenegger". As usual "Arnold Schwarzenegger" puts 100% into all of his movies and in "True Lies" he doesn't lack skills or experience. "Brad Fiedel" the music composer for the movie, created a thrilling and exciting music score that gets blood pumping. "Salim Abu Aziz" portrayed by "Art Malik" doesn't feel like a terrifying or dangerous antagonist he feels like just another terrorist. When "James Cameron" directs a film usually the cinematography is stunning. And "True Lies" is no exception "Russell Carpenter" does a splendid job at creating beautiful visuals. If you are a person who enjoys 1990's movies with "Arnold Schwarzenegger" then I recommend you watch "True Lies" as it has great acting, a humorous script and stunning camera-work. Although the movie isn't perfect it has some issues these being the movie feeing like a romantic comedy at times, a weak villain and a weak death for a weak villain. I give 1994's "True Lies" an 8/10.
    Steve G Super Reviewer
  • Dec 04, 2012
    This is the favourite Arnie film for many as it is considered to be the most accessible to those who typically don't like the action genre. There are many jokes poked at typical action films which lets everyone have a good laugh..blah blah blah. Meant to be general popular entertainment, you can't expect any level of depth and none is provided.
    John B Super Reviewer
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