"True Lies" marks what feels like the high point of Arnold’s career, signifying more than just another action movie for him before his political life began; it’s a moment where he portrayed a character with depth beyond simple heroics. The film pays tribute to spy movies, starting with an action sequence and stylish introduction that evokes classic James Bond films rather than modern ones. From there, the narrative follows a path that would later influence many of Jackie Chan's comedic secret agent films—though Chan substituted elaborate CGI effects for inventive acrobatic fight scenes. There’s even a memorable scene where Arnold defeats his opponent by dunking his head in a urinal, delivering a trademark quip: "Cool Off." (It’s a sequence worth comparing to the one found in "Mission Impossible: Fallout.") The film effortlessly transitions between a conventional spy versus terrorist plot and an exploration of the challenges faced when balancing a secret agent's life with family responsibilities. It also provided a significant career boost for Jamie Lee Curtis, who had experienced several unsuccessful films after “A Fish Called Wanda.” "True Lies" showcased her versatility and silenced any doubts about her abilities beyond being just a scream queen. One particularly funny moment sees her hilariously attempting to pole dance, then casually brushing it off as if nothing happened. Without her presence on screen, the film would simply be another Arnold action movie with a comedic element. It’s possible to argue that the lasting appeal of "True Lies" compared to “Red Heat,” which paired an unlikely comedic duo, is due largely to Jamie Lee Curtis's portrayal of a funny and resourceful woman—a contrast to Jim Belushi's somewhat amusing street cop. However, unlike the ideological clash of the Cold War – rigid Soviet methods versus America’s more free-wheeling approach – the dynamic in "True Lies" comes from the innovative concept of an adaptable, underestimated woman alongside her slightly overblown male counterpart. When agents try to apprehend Curtis’s character, she retaliates with a well-aimed kick, prompting cheers and laughter from audiences—a reaction unlikely to be seen in today's Hollywood films that often rely on tired girl power versus clumsy men tropes.

Source on TMDB