Film
What's on at the cinema plus reviews of the latest movie and DVD releases
Bookmark this pageGet Smart (2008)
Director: Peter Segal
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the age of low-budget joys such as ‘Knocked Up’, this kind of overblown effects bonanza is beginning to feel decidedly outdated.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
-
- PERFECT DAY said...
- Posted on Aug 20 2008 21:17 I'm afraid to report that thi film is average at best. The funny parts are not funny enough. The thrills aren't thrilling. Pedestrian direction ruins this film. Darts fired into the face is not funny! Shame because Anne Hathaway is pretty good at the action stuff. Wasted here, though.
- Report as inappropriate
-
- cutie said...
- Posted on Aug 20 2008 12:35 im watching this film today cant wait i hope it is good
- Report as inappropriate
-
- Lewis said...
- Posted on Aug 18 2008 12:21 can't wait to see this ! it looks great ! :)
- Report as inappropriate
Cast & crew
Director: Peter Segal
Cast: Steve Carell, Anne Hathaway, The Rock, Terence Stamp, Alan Arkin, Terry Crews, David Koechner, James Caan, Bill Murray, Patrick Warburton, Masi Oka, Nate Torrence, Ken Davitian full cast
Rated: 12A
Duration: 110 mins
UK Release: Aug 22 2008
US Release: Jun 20 2008
Most popular on this site
Top Stories
Time Out's 101 Films of the Decade
Ten years, thousands of movies and millions of dollars in international box office, and it all boils down to this
Martin Provost discusses 'Séraphine'
Trevor Johnston talks to the director of 'Séraphine' about bringing a little known French painter back to life
Our verdict on Peter Jackson's The Lovely Bones
Peter Jackson ends a triumphant decade with a sentimental misfire with this lush Alice Sebold adaptation
On the set of Ken Loach's 'Route Irish'
Dave Calhoun meets Ken Loach on the set of his forthcoming Iraq war movie
Stephen Poliakoff discusses 'Glorious 39'
Stephen Poliakoff’s ‘Glorious 39’ is his first film for cinema since ‘Food of Love’ in 1997. Dave Calhoun met him
Is 'Paranormal Activity' the new 'Blair Witch'?
How does a film go from DIY experiment to box-office smash? 'Paranormal Activity' director Oren Peli explains
Steven Soderbergh on 'The Informant!' and 'The Girlfriend Experience'
We talk to Steven Soderbergh about his two forthcoming films: one featuring a porn star, the other a chubby Matt Damon
A gateway to all things 'New Moon'
In anticipation of 'The Twilight Saga: New Moon', Time Out is offering the chance to pick up a limited edition pack with three exclusive magazines and a free poster.
The films that deserve a TV spin-off
With Roland Emmerich suggesting he'd like to make a '2012' TV spin-off, we propose some more movie-to-TV serialisations
Time Out's 50 greatest animated films with commentary by Terry Gilliam
In celebration of the release of Pixar's 'Up' and Wes Anderson's 'Fantastic Mr Fox', read our rundown of fifty classic feature length animations
What do you think?
Post your review now