Most people are unaware that James Camerons action-comedy, True Lies, is in fact a remake of the 1991 low budget French film La Totale! by Claude Zidi. Considered as the most expensive film ever made at the time of release, Camerons $100 million remake went on to earn a whopping $400 million worldwide. Audiences were captivated by the over-the-top set pieces and action sequences as the monstrous budget certainly made an influence. Why It Outshines The Original: True Lies and La Totale! both feature the same basic plot following a typical family man living a double life as a secret agent and both lives consequently get intertwined. Neither film takes itself too seriously, however the most obvious difference between the two are the budget levels, so True Lies is basically a remake on steroids. An action film needs a budget in order to properly execute the big explosions, fights, and car chases, and La Totale! certainly lacks this. The entertainment level is subpar and the acting is average at best. La Totale! is underwhelming and relatively unknown, while Camerons remake is explosively entertaining, over-the-top, and memorable.
