Penny Thoughts ‘13—True Lies (1994) ***½

R, 141 min.

Director: James Cameron

Writers: James Cameron, Claude Zidi (screenplay “La Totale!”), Simon Michaël (screenplay “La Totale!”), Didier Kaminka (screenplay “La Totale!”)

Starring: Arnold Schwarzenegger, Jamie Lee Curtis, Tom Arnold, Bill Paxton, Tia Carrere, Art Malik, Eliza Dushku, Grnat Heslov, Charlton Heston

My wife and I have always loved this movie. It isn’t one of James Cameron’s powerful pictures like “Titanic” or “The Abyss” or “Avatar”, and it doesn’t have the science fiction commentary of “The Terminator” or “Terminator 2: Judgment Day” or “Strange Days”. But, it’s more fun than any of those films.

“True Lies” might be the only thing in which I’ve ever enjoyed Tom Arnold. His quips and reactions to Schwarzenegger’s bravado are wonderful. Jamie Lee Curtis is sexy as hell as the housewife without a clue. Bill Paxton is one of Cameron’s favorite actors, who first appeared in Cameron’s “The Terminator” as the punk who provides the terminator with his set of clothes. Paxton is at his comedic best as a sleaze bag car salesman. And then of course there’s Arnold in his prime. He wasn’t the greatest action star because of his acting ability, but because of his ability to pick the best action fare.

There isn’t much profound to be said about this movie, but it’s just a damn good action comedy directed by a great director and performed by a great cast.