Rating of
3/4
Not Perfect, but suprisingly Smart
TheOtherRainMan - wrote on 07/15/08
Usually, TV on the big screen does not work. To those who do not believe me, some examples of "big screen TV" that does not work include the live action Flintstones movies (especially "Viva Rock Vegas" with Mark Addy), or 1996's Mr. Magoo. On the other hand, "big screen TV" that worked surprisingly well include Firefly (from "Serenity"), and especially the 1993 Best Picture nominee "The Fugitive" with Harrison Ford (a.k.a Indiana Jones, Han Solo, you get the idea). The next TV adaptation to hit the big screen is the 1965 Mel Brooks comedy, Get Smart. While it isn't exactly on par with "The Fugitive", its far, FAR better than "The Flintstones: Viva Rock Vegas".
The plot involves Maxwell Smart (Steve Carell) the top analyst for secret organization, CONTROL. He has big dreams on becoming a field agent, like his idol, Agent 23 (Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson). Although he scored high on his tests, The Chief (Little Miss Sunshine's Alan Arkin) refuses to promote Max because of the fact that his work is too valuable to the agency. The tables turn, though, when CONTROL's arch-enemy KAOS attacks attacks their headquarters. With all of their field agents' identities exposed (and dead), Max is promoted to Agent 86 and is teamed up with Agent 99 (Anne Hathaway). The two then head off to Russia to find out how KAOS got in control of the nuclear weapons and to find Siegfried (Terrence Stamp) who leads this organization.
Before I go any farther with this review, I have not seen the original series. It is definitely on my radar to watch, but I have not seen it yet.
The main issue with Get Smart is that too many jokes fall flat. Although there is some wit within the jokes, just too many of them are generic bodily humor or sight gags that have been used too much. On top of that, the plot is forgettable (and at times, absent) and starts slow (concerning action sequences)
Despite those few flaws, Get Smart is surprisingly very entertaining. The final twenty minutes and first ten minutes are the best moments within the film, and the performances definitely are strongest part of this film. The entire cast seems fit to the roles perfectly, and they seem to put their heart and soul (cliche count: 1) into the feature.
Concerning the chemistry between Hathaway and Carell, I say I found it quite sexy. Why? I have no clue, but it probably has to do with the fact that all the actors (incuding Hathaway and Carell) seem to play off each other well.
Despite its flaws and 100 minute run time, I enjoyed Get Smart thoroughly. It's the type of film that's meant to be enjoyed in a air-conditioned theater. Concerning back to the main topic of "big screen TV", Get Smart probably ranks around (in quality) near last summer's "The Simpsons Movie". It's very entertaining, but its definitely not winning any Oscars any time soon.
Rating: B
Star Rating: *** out of ****
PROS
+ Great Performances
+ First 10/Last 20 minutes Really Good
+ Mostly Funny
+ Very Entertaining
CONS
- Plot is weak and absent
- Some action sequences dull
- Some generic/unfunny jokes
Recommendation: For classic action-spy-comedy, "True Lies" with Arnold Schwarzenegger and Jamie Lee Curtis is a good pick.
