If you see a trailer for Get Smart and recognize the concept from dozens of other films, you wouldn't be wrong. However, my generation might not realize that the notion of a bumbling spy saved by a gorgeous woman was much more novel when "Get Smart" was a TV show. While it may seem that this film is copying films like The Naked Gun, The Pink Panther or even Austin Powers, Get Smart was around long before. Unfortunately, Get Smart does come out in an era where these types of films are starting to seem repetitive. Decent execution and a great cast can only make this two hour satire mildly entertaining, slightly under par of my personal expectations.
Get Smart is the story of Maxwell Smart (Steve Carell), an overachieving perfectionist who longs to be a field agent for CONTROL. When he's finally given the chance for promotion, Smart bumbles his way through a mission aided by the lovely Agent 99 (Anne Hathaway).
Both agents jockey for dominance in a petty competition of skills and experience as they wade the perils of the field. Both are able to show case their pros and cons as they navigate the mission's requirements. What the mission is, isn't important. The whole film is really about the relationship between the two characters. The action, stunts and cool gadgets are simply a back-drop for sometimes witty dialogue and character growth. The team is double crossed, as expected, and Smart is framed for an assignation attempt. Of course, Smart has learned how to put all his skills to use, and he proves himself innocent and worthy to be loved. A predictably happy ending follows.
I say it all the time - there's really nothing wrong with this film. There's just nothing to write home about either. Carell manages to separate himself from his famed role as Michael S
cott on TV's "The Office", something I wasn't sure he could do. So I give him credit on a job well done. Hathaway is as beautiful and talented as ever, and Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson pulls off the smooth Agent 23 character as though it were written for him. But something's missing... It's just that there's nothing to this film. It's OK -- but just OK.
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Josh Gloer, Movie Correspondent
You can find Josh's column One Harsh Critic, published every other Sunday. Tuesday, Wednesday... (Who can tell at this point?) at http://oneharshcritic.gather.com.
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