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Get Smart (2008)

Director: Peter Segal

Time Out rating

Average user rating
34 reviews

Synopsis

Big-screen version of the hit 1960s comedy about an accident-prone spy called Max Smart. The film version sees Smart, who works for the secretive government agency CONTROL, battling the dastardly KAOS with the help of Agent 99 and the newly created character Agent 23.

Movie review

From Time Out London

Clearly relishing a return to his bumbling, likeable ‘40 Year Old Virgin’ persona after four years as the equally bumbling but distinctly unlikeable Michael Scott in ‘The Office’, Steve Carell seems to be enjoying himself as tech-nerd-turned-secret agent Maxwell Smart. Adapted from the popular spoof TV series created by Mel Brooks and Buck Henry, the movie follows Smart and his leggy sidekick Agent 99 (Anne Hathaway) as they hunt down terrorist forces that are attempting to infiltrate the secret government agency CONTROL.

With its roots firmly planted in the ’60s spy-pastiche genre, it’s perhaps unavoidable that ‘Get Smart’ has a whiff of ‘Austin Powers’ about it. But, in fact, that over-familiarity extends to the whole enterprise, from the knockabout violence and slapstick pratfalls to obvious gags about aeroplane toilets and fat women. The overlong script takes no risks: its globetrotting plot is replete with signposted twists –  the big last-act reveal will astonish no one over the age of six. ‘Nutty Professor II’ director Peter Segal consistently substitutes big bangs for big laughs – in the age of low-budget joys such as ‘Knocked Up’, this kind of overblown effects bonanza is beginning to feel decidedly outdated.

Some moments work. Bill Murray makes a welcome, if rather perfunctory, cameo as an agent trapped inside a tree, and the climactic car chase is exciting and remarkably well constructed. But overall this is a limp parade of recycled gags and gadgets: an action movie with no surprises and a comedy with nothing like enough laughs.

Author: Tom Huddleston

Time Out London Issue 1983, 21-27th August 2008


User reviews of this film

  • God help me, I put aside said...
    Posted on Jan 22 2012 04:34 God help me, I put aside a whole atferonon to figure this out.
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  • Hannah said...
    Posted on Oct 28 2008 13:23 Keleeeeee - Actually u can't comment on whatever page u like cos this is the GET SMART page. I said if u want too comment on The Dark Knight and moan at me there I would be happy to.
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  • keleeeeeeeee said...
    Posted on Oct 20 2008 17:04 Hannah I am allowed to comment on whatever page I like!!!!! U say that u are entitled 2 your own opinion. Well so am I!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! AND I OBVIOUSLY don'T neEd To WoRrY AbOuT It being a different person cos u have justr confirmed that it is you!!!!!!!1 DUH!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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  • Hannah said...
    Posted on Oct 20 2008 16:56 keleeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee. This page is for talking about Get Smart not complaining about my review of The Dark Knight. If u want 2 do that get back onto The Dark Knight. And for all u know it could have been someone else with the same name as me who had wrote this comment and they would have had no clue what u were talking about. I an entitled to my own opinions
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  • keleeeeeeeeeeeeeee said...
    Posted on Oct 20 2008 16:46 Hannah u have not even seen the dark knight so don't say it woz rubbish incase u are wondering how I know dis I have been on the dark knight page and read your comments. OK I didn't totally love the dark knight but I still don't think you should just comment on a film wen you haven't even seen it. Get smart is fab though!!!!
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  • confused cookie said...
    Posted on Oct 13 2008 14:54 Hannah get smart was not an action film it was an action comedy
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  • smiley cookie said...
    Posted on Oct 13 2008 14:51 Thank u hannah 4 agreeing wif me.
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  • hannah said...
    Posted on Oct 13 2008 14:49 I think that it was the best action movie of the year. Much better than movies like The Incredible Hulk(i was forced to see this on a school trip) and the Dark Knight. I would have seen it again if i had had the chance
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  • cookie crumbled said...
    Posted on Oct 09 2008 17:06 Iz anyone gonna agree wif me???? Anyone at all???
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  • cookie said...
    Posted on Oct 07 2008 16:33 I disagree with all the people who said that this movie sucked.I have seen far worse. Did anyone see the incredible hulk movie???? Now that was awful. OK maybe some of the jokes in Get Smart weren't totally hilarious but it wasn't exactly painful too watch!!! Whover thinks that I think that you need to watch the movie again before you decide what you really think!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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  • cookie said...
    Posted on Oct 07 2008 16:33 I disagree with all the people who said that this movie sucked.I have seen far worse. Did anyone see the incredible hulk movie???? Now that was awful. OK maybe some of the jokes in Get Smart weren't totally hilarious but it wasn't exactly painful too watch!!! Whover thinks that I think that you need to watch the movie again before you decide what you really think!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
    Report as inappropriate
  • Ben said...
    Posted on Sep 10 2008 19:23 Oh yeah, did I forget to mention that this film is TERRIBLE?
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  • Ben said...
    Posted on Sep 10 2008 19:22 Absolutely Terrible. I saw this before it came out, in the previews, and somewhere in the middle of the film I wanted to tear out my eyes and ears as the jokes were SO LAME! But don't worry, I am slowly recovering from this awful film. The 3 best words for describing this film is:
    Awful, Lame and TERRIBLE! Please, i advise you all to stay as far away from this film as possible.
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  • tari said...
    Posted on Sep 09 2008 16:25 rocks and its funnny
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  • tari said...
    Posted on Sep 09 2008 16:25 rocks and its fun
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