Word In Stone-True Lies Review

[tstone]

James Bond has kind of a lock on the "super spy" genre in film. They tried a new franchise with XXX, but those films sucked, imo. Vin Diesel did one, and then Ice Cube did a follow up, and that's probably the end of that. Thing is, those films tried selling themselves on being what they "weren't" (not Bond), rather than what they were. And when you got past the stunts and explosions, there wasn't really a there there.

Now, James Cameron had another idea. Instead of the superspy globe travelling, bullet flinging, bed hopping bon vivant, let's take another approach. IRL, there ARE married secret agents, with families and such. And those famillies, like those married to cops, military personell, etc, can suffer from the demands of those jobs, even extra, since the agent in question can't be up front about a day at work.

They took those elements and used them for the points of contrast for Harry. He has this dangerous job in which he helps keep the nation safe, along with his team, Albert Gibson (Tom Arnold in a GREAT role) and Fasil (the team's computer wizard). He also has his family. They think he's in computer sales. His wife thinks he's boring, and his daughter (a young Eliza Dushku) doesn't respect him. And his being gone a lot helps out with the alienation.

Helen (Jamie Lee Curtis, who is FABULOUS AND SEXY in this role) is bored. She loves her husband but is feeling that suburban rut. So she ends up being kinda tempted by this guy who shows up claiming to be a secret agent (Bill Paxton in his weaseliest role ever). Harry finds out about it, and after the initial shock, arranges for his wife to get some "real" danger, which features Jamie Lee Curtis in one of the sexiest strip scenes captured on camera. And she didn't even get completely naked to establish this (not that that would have been a bad thing, not at all). When things unfold, however, Helen ends up getting wrapped up in Harry's current case, that being his attempt to recover four nuclear warheads from a Middle East terrorist group from a bunch calling themselves Crimson Jihad.

BTW, did you know, in the helicopter scene, that was Ms. Curtis doing her own stunts?

Oh, props to Tia Carrere', who is also at her superfine best in this film? When she and Ms. Curtis are on camera together? SMOKIN'...

Oh, yes, and that horse Arnold got to ride, also a fine actor.

Great James Cameron flick...

[Gentlemen Death]

I really enjoyed this film and think that it should have had a sequal, but you know with Arnold becoming the Govenator, im sure that held things up.

The movie was great and ACTUALLY liked Tom Arnold in this flick. He was funny and not to damn stupid. The crack about his wife taking the icecube trays was priceless.

James Cameron seemed like he would have had fun at this film. It is not so techi and he does not have to involve the future in anything, which could be nice for a change. Overall a very good movie, one i personally own and recommend.

(P.S. Mr. and Mrs. Smith was a huge rip-off of this movie.....oh how i hate that movie)

[whitetemplar78]

If i remember right, the reason they never made another one of these movies is after 9-11, everyone involved thought it wouldn't be in the best taste to make a spy spoof about Middle eastern threats. Sad though, cause i agree with you guys, this was awsome movie, and everytime i watch it, it leaves me wanting more.

[HudsonTaco]

The scene where the terrorist shoots at Tom Arnold who is taking cover behind a sign post and then proceeds to check for hole before continuing the chase, is worth the price of admission alone. That and Bill Paxton Pissing his pants "Would a spy piss himself!!?"
Fantastic movie one of the main reasons James Cameron is one of my favorite Directors.

[tstone]

"I got a little dick, it's pathetic!" *bawling*

[HudsonTaco]

ha ha thats the line I was looking for. good stuff.

[fastcar]

I liked the Horse getting a brow beatin from Arnie for not jumping.

What the hell were you thinking?
We had the guy and you let him
get away.

What kind of cop are you?

[whitetemplar78]

Come on, the best one, has to be when he's all drugged up, and ready to be tortured, and Helen asks him

"Harry...have you every killed anyone?.........."
"Yesss.....but they were all bad!".....

omg, that one had me going, the look on his face.....he played that character to the hilt, you could really tell he loved making that movie

[Gentlemen Death]

Yes, i really good movie. Really wish they would have made a sequal to this.

[Woodwraith]

This is definately one of my favorite films.