Archive
Get Smart 2008
When the headquarters of U.S. spy agency Control is attacked and the identities of its agents compromised, The Chief (Alan Arkin) has no choice but to promote his over-eager analyst Maxwell Smart, who has always dreamt of working in the field alongside stalwart superstar Agent 23 (The Rock).
Smart is partnered instead with the only other agent whose identity has not been compromised: the lovely-but-lethal veteran Agent 99 (Anne Hathaway). As Smart and 99 get closer to unraveling KAOS’ master plan – and each other – they discover that key KAOS operative Siegfried (Terence Stamp) is scheming to cash in with his network of terror.
Starring Steve Carell, Anne Hathaway, Alan Arkin, Terence Stamp, The Rock
Directed by Peter Segal ('The Longest Yard', '50 First Dates')
Written by Tom J. Astle, Matt Ember
Re-make, Adaptation, Comedy, Action | 1hr 51mins | Rated (PG) | Contains violence | Origin: USA
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Flicks review
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Films based on ancient TV shows are usually pretty poor (Bewitched, The Avengers, The Dukes of Hazzard), but Get Smart proves the exception to that rule, managing to be amusing and enjoyable with Steve Carrell on fine form as bumbling spy, Maxwell Smart.
The story is predictable secret agent stuff, with some bad guys (led by Terrence Stamp) trying to steal nuclear weapons. But it provides a good excuse for a fairly regular string of gags, which hit more often than miss.
The casting is spot on. Carrell often looks as if he has stepped straight out of the 60s and Anne Hathaway’s Agent 99 even dons a Barbara Feldon wig at one point. There are many references to the series, in particular when some classic cars get put to good use.
There’s still something a bit been-there-done-that. After Austin Powers and Johnny English, the spy spoof genre has been wrung dry. Thankfully, Get Smart manages to keep energy levels up and surpasses modest expectations to become a fun little comedy that proves that sometimes, if you’re lucky, your favourite classic TV show makes a good film.
By Andrew Hedley, Flicks.co.nz
The Peoples voice
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4
As Hollywood continues to pump out the remakes, one of the classics which underwent a cinematic facelift this year was the 60’s TV spy-comedy show Get Smart. A satire of the secret agent genre, the show was hugely popular in its time and when film producers sought a 21st Century equivalent of bumbling lead character Maxwell Smart they turned to one man: Steve Carell.
Light entertainment is the aim of this snappy action-comedy, as right from the start it’s clear that this film doesn’t take itself too seriously. Scenes where the action and intensity are raised are punctured with humour to get you laughing again. By possessing a healthy balance of slapstick, cringe moments and slick one-liners, Get Smart hits the right note for this generation of movie-goers. The cast choices are also spot-on for the task of crafting a modern, refreshed version of the show for a newer and younger audience who may be unfamiliar with the series. Johnson is super-suave as usual and Hathaway nails the sexy, action-girl type persona needed for her role. Carell wields the deadly comedic timing and presence that is so familiar to him and which is crucial to the success of both the character and film.
Overall Get Smart is an extremely easy-going film which requires no prior knowledge of the original series in order to enjoy its inspired characters and humour, although there are several nods to the original in there which may pass you by if that is the case. In terms of modernising a classic for a new generation, Get Smart would have to be rated a success.By Brad Kreft
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Pleasently surprised
4
As an avid watcher or the reruns of this as a kid i was apprehensive that they might of ruined the show, but luckily it wasnt bad infac it was quite enjoyable. I think the right balance between the comedy and action was reached, although this maxwell smart was slightly less unco than the original.
By Sarah
Press Reviews
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Los Angeles Times
Get Smart neglects the laughs and amps up the action, resulting in a not very funny comedy joined at the hip to a not very exciting spy movie. Talk about killing two birds with one stone.
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New York Times
It flounders whenever it tries to weave the real world into its fantasia, partly because it isn't really about anything other than making money, partly because the spy-versus-spy battle doesn't entertain the way it once did.
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NZ Herald [Russell Baillie]
4 4 out of 5 stars
Carell might resemble Don Adams' original Max in appearance but he gives him his own strait-laced sense of the ridiculous, while Hathaway's 99 is a fine, feisty foil. They help Get Smart rise above some pretty low expectations. Though unfortunately they've probably made the world safe for yet more classic TV remakes we're not sure we wanted in the first place.
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Rolling Stone [USA]
Director Peter Segal ups the ante on the action, aiming for Bourne more than Bond, but the stunts grow frenzied and increasingly flat.
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The Press [Chris Schulz]
2 2 out of 5 stars
Lacking in plot twists and devoid of laughs, Get Smart misses the mark so often it feels like it's taking the piss.
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Time Magazine [USA]
That Max Smart is played by the admirable Steve Carell, who is desperately looking for deadpan jokes in all the wrong places, is beside the point.
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Variety [USA]
Helmer Peter Segal's formulaic takeoff is neither fish nor fowl, not quite faithful to the show, but not quite bringing it into the 21st century either.
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