I was a huge fan of the TV show when it ran on Nick and Nite back in the day, I just love spoofs. I have a place in my heart for comedies like Naked Gun, Hot Shots, Airplane, and Spaceballs, and I think Get Smart, as a TV show, is right up there with those classics. I remember sitting down with my mom and dad and watching and laughing at Don Adams, who plays Maxwell Smart, and all of his hijinks, and thinking that he was very unassuming, he didn’t try too much to outplay or outshine Agent 99.
Being that I was out of town all week last week, I sent ToC’s South Texas Correspondent “Scotto” to the advanced screening and this is what he had to say…
“I never saw the TV show, other than a clip here or there. I have to say that I went into the movie with extreme caution not knowing what to think or what to expect. I think that it helped that I had low expectations.
The setting: Maxwell Smart (Steve Carell) has just passed his field agent test and is looking forward to a life as an agent, but the air is let out of his sail quickly. He learns that his services as an analyst are too value. But when “Control” and it’s field agents are compromised, Maxwell gets his wish and becomes Agent 86. He is partnered with Agent 99 (Anne Hathaway), who is reluctant to be partnered with an inexperienced agent. Their mission to find the head(s) of the KAOS organization and stop their evil intentions.
Thinking about the story of the movie, I think that what you’ll find is that the storyline was good, but could have been better. Honestly, I thought that it was nothing that I hadn’t seen before and was at times it more like a comedic spoof of “Alias” more than anything. Guess that was how the TV show was. But it didn’t take away from the movie. There were some political undertones, but they only lasted for a second or two.
I really enjoyed the comedy part of the movie. I admit…it was filled with dry humor which made for several hit and some miss comedic moments, where you are laughing hysterically one moment, then smirking the next. But it was funny. The movie didn’t try too hard to be a comedy. It didn’t seemed forced. Know what I mean? Once you see it, I think you’ll agree that Carell was great for his role. Which is another thought…this was pretty well casted. I enjoyed that the cast which was mixed with veteran actors, comedians, newcomers, and even those trying acting out as a second career.
Overall I would say that I enjoyed this movie. I know it wont win any Oscars, but it was good. I was glad that they paid tribute to the TV Show in the movie. If you were a fan or know the show, then you’ll see the tributes throughout the movie. I would imagine that this movie will spawn some sequels, and that may not be a bad thing. I have read other reviewers that didn’t like this movie, then some reviewers that rave about this movie. For me it was somewhere in the middle.
It earned it’s PG-13 rating. Nothing over the top, but did have violence, sexual innuendos, and crude humor.
Best parts of the movie for me….the “dance off” and the run in with the swordfish!”
We here at ToC would like to thank Scotto for his willingness to share what he thought about the film, and for allowing us to publish his thoughts and opinions.
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Troy Sims
I really enjoyed Get Smart as a kid too. I still haven’t decided if I want to see it in the theater or wait until it’s out on DVD.
I think Steve Carell is a great fit for Maxell Smart.
June 24, 2008 at 9:15 am
Donna
We went to see this movie this past weekend and really liked it. We are from the generation of Get Smart so we had our doubts about anyone replacing Don Adams but I must say Steve Carell did a great job. I do agree with Scotto also on the casting of this movie..very good. We laughed a lot and had a good time..I would recommend it to anyone even if you didn’t know the series but especially if you did. They did have a few surprises for us but we would have like to have seen Barbara Felden (original agent 99)..that would have been cool!
June 24, 2008 at 10:46 am