Get Smart (2008) Movie Review and Film Summary
Get Smart is a 2008 action-comedy film directed by Peter Segal. The movie is based on the 1965 television series of the same name, created by Mel Brooks and Buck Henry.
Starring Steve Carell as the bumbling yet lovable secret agent Maxwell Smart, the film follows his hilarious journey as he teams up with the capable Agent 99, played by Anne Hathaway, to thwart the evil plans of the villainous organization known as KAOS. With an all-star cast and a clever blend of comedy and action, Get Smart delivers an entertaining and nostalgic experience for both fans of the original TV series and newcomers to the spy genre.
Steve Carell’s impeccable comedic timing and Anne Hathaway’s strong on-screen presence make for a dynamic duo, bringing the beloved characters to life in a fresh and captivating way. The film’s clever script and witty dialogue keep viewers engaged throughout, while the action-packed sequences and thrilling plot twists add an extra layer of excitement. Overall, Get Smart is a delightful and enjoyable film that successfully pays homage to its source material while also standing on its own as a hilarious and entertaining spy comedy.
The original show is, let’s face it, no model of consistency. It was always uneven, with many strained gags and a truly lousy laugh track. But it also harvested many genuine laughs, as opposed to this film, which more or less manages to keep a goofy smile on the face and even elicits the odd titter, but I can’t remember any proper laughter.
Director Peter Segal has never had nor will ever have style, and that’s one thing this film badly lacks. His staging is leaden, and his attempts to make visual satire out of the Michael Bay-era blockbuster flourish are infinitely less competent than that found in Hot Fuzz. Despite its flaws, Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Et Cetera is a master class on how to make comedy-action scenes; Get Smart flounders semi-competently.
One aspect that the film does get right, despite the odd (and clearly forgetful) carping of many critics, is Max’s occasional displays of lucid competence and killer instinct, which did show themselves in spurts during the original series. The film is loaded with the compulsory Oh, my bum hurts!” style of gag, and the sticky slime of our post-Austin Powers comedic era coats the material, which is a pity, especially because the direct references to the original show are almost always the funniest in the film.
Star Steve Carrell is often stranded at the helpless mercy of some incredibly weak lines. And yet the film holds together, especially after a wobbly first half-hour, mostly thanks to the excellence of Carrell and Anne Hathaway’s 99. Both stars’ charm buoys the paper-thin script, and Alan Arkin, despite having a terribly underwritten role, delights.
