An anecdote says a frightened horse nearly threw Schwarzenegger off the roof and a stuntman saved him; the discussion expressly questions how reliable the story is.
The near-fatal horse stunt anecdote is recalled for research, with explicit skepticism that it has grown exaggerated.
Cameron and effects supervisor John Bruno reportedly planned to place a model plane on a real rooftop for a more convincing action sequence.
Cameron’s founding of Digital Domain during this period is discussed as part of his continued drive to invent new filmmaking technology.
The ice-tray joke is again traced to Tom Arnold’s divorce story.
The hotel is identified as the Westin Bonaventure.
The body count is reported as ninety, below the initial guesses.
The discussion reports a $100 million budget, third-place annual box-office finish, and one visual-effects Oscar nomination. Its gross figure is transcribed as “$378 billion,” an apparent scale error retained as uncertain.
Schwarzenegger reportedly rehearsed the tango for six months to match Al Pacino in Scent of a Woman, with the same music used.

Roger Ebert's review

In the discussion (1)

Approx. transcript time · 00:33:50Read transcript

Roger Ebert’s score is stated as three stars; three-and-a-half is preferred in disagreement. His review praises inventive cartoon violence and laughs while finding the plot perfunctory.

Picking Nits

Elevator capacity; agency oversight; Harry’s cover; disguise; dress; limo; Dana; marksmanship

In the discussion (15)

Approx. transcript time · 00:44:44Read transcript

The horse and passengers potentially exceeding the elevator’s capacity is debated using rough weights and capacity estimates. A horse defecating in the elevator is suggested as a missed joke.
Omega Sector’s authority, accountability, building, and ability to mobilize military force are questioned. Harry’s use of state surveillance to investigate his wife is treated as a major management failure.
News coverage might expose Harry’s identity, but a counterargument notes that the reporters explicitly do not know who is responsible.
Harry’s uncertainty about whether striking the bridge might detonate a nuclear weapon is criticized.
Harry’s distinctive appearance is questioned as a liability for undercover counterterrorism work.
Helen failing to recognize Harry’s body during the seduction and failing to suspect his occupation after seventeen years are major nitpicks.
Harry’s accent, languages, combat skills, and flight training raise unanswered questions about his origin and recruitment; imagined college-to-spy biographies are jokes.
Helen’s indifference to his job seems less plausible with modern family location tracking that could expose his overseas travel.
The tuxedo remaining dry beneath the diving suit is questioned and defended as a Bond convention.
Harry visiting Juno the day after a conspicuous massacre seems reckless, particularly given his distinctive appearance and the lack of an apparent international response.
Helen transforming her dress so neatly by tearing it is questioned.
The dead limousine driver keeping the vehicle on course is questioned.
Dana taking the key without an obvious plan and the logistics of abducting her from Washington and bringing her to Florida are questioned; the wallet photograph explains how the terrorists learned about her.
Whether the horse could support Harry’s weight over the roof edge is questioned and defended, with the earlier elevator objection repeated.
The terrorists’ repeatedly terrible marksmanship is criticized, with Rambo II offered as an even greater example; shooting bystanders is distinguished from hitting the heroes.

Casting What-Ifs

Foster rumor; Curtis; Tom Arnold; Lombard replacement

In the discussion (4)

Approx. transcript time · 01:20:15Read transcript

A rumor that Jodie Foster declined Helen to make Nell is explicitly unconfirmed and doubted. Cameron’s familiarity with Curtis through Kathryn Bigelow’s Blue Steel is offered as context.
Schwarzenegger reportedly initially opposed Curtis, then accepted Cameron’s insistence that she was right for Helen.
Tom Arnold reportedly auditioned mainly to meet Cameron, displayed chemistry with Schwarzenegger, and won the role after joking he could beat him up. His failure to repeat this career peak is discussed; uncertainty about McHale’s Navy is corrected.
Carrere reportedly said she replaced Karina Lombard after shooting began; Lombard is identified through her role in The Firm.

Recasting Couch

Neeson; Malkovich; Bean; Oldman; Schreiber as villain

In the discussion (5)

Approx. transcript time · 01:25:46Read transcript

Liam Neeson is proposed as a replacement for the main villain.
John Malkovich is proposed as a replacement for the main villain.
Sean Bean is proposed as a replacement for the main villain.
Gary Oldman is proposed as a replacement for the main villain.
Liev Schreiber is proposed as a replacement for the main villain.

What Would Tony Romo’s Director’s Commentary for This Movie Sound Like?

Cris Collinsworth; Pat McAfee

In the discussion (1)

Approx. transcript time · 01:26:33Read transcript

Cris Collinsworth is imagined commentating on Helen’s striptease, followed by a brief Pat McAfee-style reaction to Harry.

Probably Unanswerable Questions

Tango envy and occasions; Harry’s mission affairs

In the discussion (3)

Approx. transcript time · 01:45:29Read transcript

The remaining unanswered question asks whether inability to tango is a major envy, then debates whether ordinary social life ever offers a suitable occasion.
Tango lessons and a performance at a Ringer holiday party are proposed, followed by questions about learning time and whether people know more than one tango song.
Whether Harry has slept with other women on missions is questioned, with his flirtatious behavior offered as speculation rather than an established answer.

Best Double Feature

Poster unavailable

Mr. & Mrs. Smith

Poster unavailable

The Bourne Identity

Poster unavailable

Speed

In the discussion (3)

Approx. transcript time · 01:48:00Read transcript

Mr. & Mrs. Smith is proposed as a double feature and described as a spiritual successor.
The Bourne Identity is proposed as a double feature.
Speed is proposed as a double feature to recreate the summer of 1994.

Producer review

Enthusiastic first watch; genre culmination; tone; Tom Arnold’s prominence

In the discussion (3)

Approx. transcript time · 01:51:30Read transcript

The first-time viewer calls the film a culmination of Schwarzenegger-era action, contrasts its physical spectacle with computer-heavy modern action, and argues that unpolished acting fits its unserious tone.
Tom Arnold’s unusually extensive dialogue and near-co-lead role surprise the first-time viewer, particularly given his lack of prior familiarity with the performer.
The producer-review exchange ends with enthusiastic approval of the film’s entertainment and excess.