DVD Arnold Schwarzenegger stars in James Cameron's big budget action blockbuster as secret agent Harry Tasker. His wife Helen believes he is a dull computer salesman, but when terrorists and marital suspicion collide, Harry's two lives spectacularly crash together.
Details
Harry Tasker leads a double life. By day he appears to be a mild-mannered computer salesman; by night he is an elite operative working for a covert government agency combating international terrorism. While pursuing a nuclear smuggling ring led by the fanatical Aziz, Harry begins to suspect that his wife Helen is having an affair.
Using the full weight of his agency's resources, Harry discovers that Helen's supposed lover is nothing more than a used-car salesman named Simon who pretends to be a secret agent in order to impress women. Determined to teach Helen a lesson - and perhaps spice up his own stale marriage - Harry orchestrates an elaborate sting operation that pulls her unwillingly into his world of espionage.
The situation spirals out of control when real terrorists capture both Harry and Helen during the charade. With his identity finally revealed and his family placed in genuine danger, Harry must stop a pair of nuclear weapons from detonating on American soil - culminating in one of the most outrageous action finales of the decade.
Picture & Sound
For a THX-certified disc, the picture can be slightly inconsistent. Some daylight scenes appear a little washed out and grain creeps in from time to time, with the occasional speck reminding you of the film's age. However, the majority of the transfer still impresses, particularly during the darker action sequences where detail holds up well.
The real star of the disc is the Dolby Digital 5.1 soundtrack. It is nothing short of superb. In fact, I initially made the mistake of watching the default 2.0 Pro-Logic track for five minutes before realising something was very wrong and promptly restarted the film to experience the full 5.1 mix. The surround separation is remarkable, with music and effects filling the soundstage. During one memorable gunfight a machine gun tumbles down a staircase, firing as it falls - every shell casing audibly bouncing across the right channel before the weapon hits the floor with a final metallic thud. Demo material without question.
The special effects were cutting-edge at the time and still hold up remarkably well. The Harrier jet sequence in the finale, created using a combination of models and CGI, remains an extraordinary set-piece and showcases James Cameron's ability to blend spectacle with absurdity.
Menu & Extras
The animated menus are energetic, if slightly noisy, featuring rotating grenades and jump jets. Disappointingly, the extras are minimal considering the scale of the production. For such a blockbuster, the lack of substantial behind-the-scenes material feels like a missed opportunity.
Overall
This is classic Schwarzenegger - wisecracks, explosions, outrageous stunts and just enough tongue-in-cheek humour to stop it taking itself too seriously. The hotel horse chase alone is worth the price of admission, and Bill Paxton's performance as the fake spy Simon nearly steals the entire film.
Directed by James Cameron at the height of his blockbuster powers, True Lies is a hugely entertaining action spectacle that balances marital comedy with large-scale destruction. Not perfect on disc in visual terms, but sonically it remains one of the best surround showcases of its era. Crank it up and enjoy.
Special features
- Theatrical Trailer
