7 replies to this topic

[Loomis]

Bought TRUE LIES on DVD t'other day (for the very reasonable sale price of

[ChandlerBing]

Hey, Cameron is a great director, but let's look at what Bond is, and what True Lies is. True Lies is a Bond homage, that is it. It's not a Bond film. I guess I am not one of those people who whine and bitch about why they don't make em like they used to. BTW, without True Lies, would Goldeneye have been as good as it was? Remember, MGM **** bricks when they their execs saw the movie and thought, "Oh, God, we need to make our Bond movie better, or they're going to kick our 6 ways to Sunday!"

[Jim]

By and large I agree with you.

The middle section drags, but the last half hour is relentlessly entertaining to an extent that the last four Bonds have seldom touched - if at all. For basic visceral thrills, watching a nuclear bomb go off as merely the prelude to clambering all over a harrier jet - against moping about some dingy lighthouse thing in Turkey or standing about yet another set and fighting off some dismal Robocop wannabe - you take your choice.

Moreover, all seem to be enjoying themselves.

It's by no means perfect - I'm not with you on the humour, which is pretty crass and grating - but then, even if unappealing, the humour tries to avoid every other line being some form of pun. Additionally, it tries to be about something (I think) without patronising the audience by hammering the message home every thirteen seconds.

Whether Mr Schwarzenegger is a better actor than Mr Brosnan is a moot point.

By default, it more or less wins out against the BrosnanBonds through sheer balls - it is utterly secure in what it is doing, and proud of it. The BrosnanBonds have never given me that air of confidence, as if they are ashamed of themselves.

[Loomis]

Originally posted by ChandlerBing

Hey, Cameron is a great director, but let's look at what Bond is, and what True Lies is.  True Lies is a Bond homage, that is it.  It's not a Bond film.  I guess I am not one of those people who whine and bitch about why they don't make em like they used to.  

I know it's an apples-and-oranges comparison in many ways (for instance, Cameron had far more creative freedom on TRUE LIES, and doubtless a larger budget to play with, than any Bond director has ever had - and he didn't have to observe the "rules" of an established series, either), and don't get me wrong, I don't think that TRUE LIES should really be considered a Bond film. I mean, I don't line it up in my DVD collection among the Bonds, sandwiched between LICENCE TO KILL and GOLDENEYE. But what I do feel is that TRUE LIES beats recent Bond efforts at their own game. It gives audiences "classic Bond" (for example, the opening sequence, the lavatory shootout and the horse/motorcycle chase are all classic Bond setpieces - well, the horse/motorcycle chase is definitely classic Moore) with far more invention and energy than the Bond series itself seems currently capable of providing. TRUE LIES has the look and feel, the excitement, of a modern SPY WHO LOVED ME.

Originally posted by ChandlerBing

BTW, without True Lies, would Goldeneye have been as good as it was?  Remember, MGM **** bricks when they their execs saw the movie and thought, "Oh, God, we need to make our Bond movie better, or they're going to kick our 6 ways to Sunday!"  

Well, that proves my point. TRUE LIES out-Bonds Bond. Where the Bond series used to lead, it now follows.

[homerjbond]

True Lies is a lot of fun, but the whole middle section of Arnie trying to find out if his wife is cheating on him doesn't seem to belong with the rest of the movie/plot. Both Tom Arnold and Bill Paxton were hilarious, though.

The end sequence is virtuoso action and the villain's demise ("You're fired") is classic...

I heard Jamie Lee Curtis dangling from the helicopter after being lifted from the runaway limo WAS actually her, no stuntperson!

[1q2w3e4r]

You can really only argue the opening sequence is a homage to the Bond franchise. Once he rocks home to his mrs and kid thats where it ends.

However, its a good film. I'd say more enjoyable for repeated viewing than the last of the OO7 efforts. And its got that Dirty Harry element with Tasker and his partner.

Guess we'll have to see what the sequel holds.

[Tanger]

I've always avoided this film as I've never really dug Arnie and in general I can't stand Bond rip-offs like this. I might check this out though since you lot seem to like it.

[Tarl_Cabot]

I loathe Bond rips offs too but the action is pretty damn good I must admit.