Get Smart

Review

Brad Kreft Nobody (?)

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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.