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When was the last time you actually laughed out loud so hard at a film you almost forgot you were in a movie theater? I'm talking a deep belly, gut-roaring, not-caring-who-is-sitting-next-to-you kind of laugh. If you haven't, trust me, you will when you head out to see "Get Smart."
The movie title itself says it all: It's a very smart movie. Nothing against writer/director/producer Judd Apatow ("Knocked Up," "Superbad," "The 40-Year-Old Virgin"), who has made some pretty funny lowbrow movies, but seeing one of my favorite '60s TV sitcoms turned into a full-length motion picture without ruining the memories was a real understated treat.
Borrowing from that classic series created by the very funny team of Mel Brooks and Buck Henry (who serve as creative consultants here), "Get Smart" features some entertaining cameos that fans of the television show will really enjoy.
Steve Carell plays Agent 86, who is a superb analyst dreaming for the opportunity to be a field agent. His test results may give him that chance, but it's ultimately up to his boss ... er, Chief (played by Alan Arkin), who will determine whether he gets the chance and be as good as the very suave and good-looking Agent 23 (played by Dwayne Johnson). Who knew the Rock could be so funny?
Carell actually was offered the role of Maxwell Smart even before "The 40-Year-Old Virgin" put him on everyone's map. He was very funny in that picture, but here, less is more, and Carell's almost deadpan approach would have made the late Don Adams very proud. The subtleness of the very dry Carell gets more miles from a single expression than anything spoken, even though in that department he is just as funny.
Just as entertaining is Anne Hathaway as Agent 99. She's more experienced as an agent than Max is, but together they form an attractive chemistry, with his bungling ineptness and her sexiness. The spy business never looked so appealing.
The movie plays homage, at the beginning, to the original television series (and later in the movie as well), showing us a museum that just happens to have some of the old artifacts from the popular TV show. It's also a reminder that the Cold War has long since ended, and with it that evil organization known as KAOS. Or has it?
Terence Stamp plays the villainous Siegfried, who is up staged by his villainous sidekick, Shtarker (played by Ken Davitian, who was beyond hysterical playing Azamat Bagatov on 2006's "Borat: Cultural Learnings of America for Make Benefit Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan.")
"Get Smart" captures the current pop culture we live in, poking fun at everything from Hollywood actors and how relevant their political opinions are, to the current administration, with actor James Caan paralleling a certain president who has trouble pronouncing the word "nuclear."
In one scene, we get to see the Chief having a disagreement with the vice president, and in that session are comedians Kevin Nealon, Blake Clarke and Larry Miller in one scene that I wish could have lasted longer - it was that funny. Maybe on the DVD there will be some more such scenes.
There are tons of cameos, too, so don't blink or else you'll miss a few blast-from-the-past moments, again related to the TV series.
Borrowing from that classic series created by the very funny team of Mel Brooks and Buck Henry (who serve as creative consultants here), "Get Smart" features some entertaining cameos that fans of the television show will really enjoy.
Steve Carell plays Agent 86, who is a superb analyst dreaming for the opportunity to be a field agent. His test results may give him that chance, but it's ultimately up to his boss ... er, Chief (played by Alan Arkin), who will determine whether he gets the chance and be as good as the very suave and good-looking Agent 23 (played by Dwayne Johnson). Who knew the Rock could be so funny?
Carell actually was offered the role of Maxwell Smart even before "The 40-Year-Old Virgin" put him on everyone's map. He was very funny in that picture, but here, less is more, and Carell's almost deadpan approach would have made the late Don Adams very proud. The subtleness of the very dry Carell gets more miles from a single expression than anything spoken, even though in that department he is just as funny.
Just as entertaining is Anne Hathaway as Agent 99. She's more experienced as an agent than Max is, but together they form an attractive chemistry, with his bungling ineptness and her sexiness. The spy business never looked so appealing.
The movie plays homage, at the beginning, to the original television series (and later in the movie as well), showing us a museum that just happens to have some of the old artifacts from the popular TV show. It's also a reminder that the Cold War has long since ended, and with it that evil organization known as KAOS. Or has it?
Terence Stamp plays the villainous Siegfried, who is up staged by his villainous sidekick, Shtarker (played by Ken Davitian, who was beyond hysterical playing Azamat Bagatov on 2006's "Borat: Cultural Learnings of America for Make Benefit Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan.")
"Get Smart" captures the current pop culture we live in, poking fun at everything from Hollywood actors and how relevant their political opinions are, to the current administration, with actor James Caan paralleling a certain president who has trouble pronouncing the word "nuclear."
In one scene, we get to see the Chief having a disagreement with the vice president, and in that session are comedians Kevin Nealon, Blake Clarke and Larry Miller in one scene that I wish could have lasted longer - it was that funny. Maybe on the DVD there will be some more such scenes.
There are tons of cameos, too, so don't blink or else you'll miss a few blast-from-the-past moments, again related to the TV series.
Director Peter Segal leaves us wanting more, which is a rare thing when it comes to a comedy. Here, you don't want the film to end because you forget you're laughing, which in these times is a smart thing to do.
- Howie Nave is host/manager of The Improv comedy club inside Harveys and reviews films for seven radio stations throughout Northern California and Nevada, including Sirius Radio. He hosts "Howie's Morning Rush" on Tahoe's KRLT radio, and you can see his film reviews on RSN. For past reviews, blogs and audio clips, visit www.HowieNave.com.
- Howie Nave is host/manager of The Improv comedy club inside Harveys and reviews films for seven radio stations throughout Northern California and Nevada, including Sirius Radio. He hosts "Howie's Morning Rush" on Tahoe's KRLT radio, and you can see his film reviews on RSN. For past reviews, blogs and audio clips, visit www.HowieNave.com.
Keepin' it reel
Now Playing: "Get Smart"
Starring: Steve Carell, Anne Hathaway, Dwayne Johnson, Alan Arkin, Terence Stamp, Terry Crews, David Koechner, James Caan, Bill Murray, Patrick Warburton, Masi Oka, Nate Torrence, Ken Davitian Directed by: Peter Segal Rated: PG-13 for some rude humor, action violence and language Running time: 110 minutes Howie gives it: 4.5 out of 5 bagels |
