Get Smart (USA. 2008)

Director: Peter Segal

A big screen adaptation of the comedy series from the 60’s ‘Get Smart’ puts Steve Carell in the shoes of agent Maxwell Smart and he responds by comfortably slipping into his well worn "Awkward man-child who tries to stay calm in situation that’s way over his head.” The only difference is that now he's pulling it off in front of a globe trotting action-comedy flick.

(Stolen from IMDB)

Over-analyzing analyst Maxwell Smart (Steve Carell) dreams of becoming an official Agent for the top secret government organization CONTROL, and longs to execute action-packed spy missions like his idol, the charismatic Agent 23 (Dwayne Johnson). When CONTROL headquarters is attacked by longtime nemesis group KAOS and many of the Agents' identities are compromised, Smart is promoted to Agent 86 and partners with the unwilling Agent 99 (Anne Hathaway) to thwart the villainous group's latest plan for world domination.

My biggest surprise was that Maxwell Smart here isn’t an incompetent agent in this cinematic universe, he’s just a little naïve, and with his skills determined the creative team allows him to pull off a plethora of fancy moves (Well, his stunt double does) when dangers comes a knocking. There's more than a handful of straight faced action scenes here but their meekfully well put together but generic . The digital format doesn’t do all the movement any favours, with a ton of blurring making it look like a cheap video. And for a so-called comedy, most of the gags are surprisingly small or lazy. Carrell has been doing this better on ‘The Office’ for four years now and ‘Get Smart’ makes me feel like he’s only half trying.

Peter Segal (Director of Tommy Boy, Naked Gun 3, The Longest Yard – Remake) does a workman-like job with the material. Acting wise: Anne Hathaway plays Carrel’s straight female foil without much fuss and only grates when she’s forced to pull off a few drawn out dramatic back story rest-stops. Dwayne Johnson (THE ROCK!) is Steve Carrell’s best friend in the agency (OR IS HE!!!??? DUM DUM DUMMMMM) and isn’t’ given nearly enough to do. Alan Arkin is the crusty warm hearted chief of CONTROL. Terrence Stamp does his menacing Zod song and dance as an evil peon of K.A.O.S.

I’ll have forgotten most of ‘Get Smart’ by the end of the day, but that doesn’t necessarily mean it’s a waste of your time. It’s just a safe, un-surprising affair from everyone involved.

Um. I don't have anything else to say. *looks at word-count* Not. Long. Enough.

For your reading enjoyement, I’ll peel this deliciously juicy orange! Tune in to the next review of a film that didn't really have an impact, when I maybe, just maybe, eat the ORANGE!

*PEELS*