Smart, but not that intelligent

by Francis V. Monfort

IN PETER SEGAL’S Get Smart, comedian Steve Carell (The Office) plays the spy-wannabe Maxwell Smart. The movie is an adaptation of the ’60s comedy series of the same title, with Don Adams in the lead role.

In the film, Smart, a chatter analyst working for the CONTROL intelligence agency, is able to fulfill his dreams of being a field agent. Now Agent 86, the rookie Smart, together with Agent 99 (Anne Hathaway, The Devil Wears Prada), goes on a mission to prevent a nuclear catastrophe.

Carell is excellent in the film. From The 40 Year Old Virgin to his work on The Office, Carell has proven to be one of the today’s funniest actors. Get Smart exploits his comedic timing to the hilt, with Carell showing his proficiency in both slapstick and subdued humor. Although his role here isn’t one that really needs great acting, Carell is still able to make his Smart a real and memorable character.

As the more competent Agent 99, Hathaway doesn’t bring much to the table. Her character is a one-sided bore. The bickering between her and Smart isn’t that funny, but it instead comes off as annoying. Although she provides the softness needed in the film, Hathaway’s character and performance is still lacking.

Completing the cast are Dwayne Johnson as another agent and Alan Arkin as CONTROL’s chief. Although their characters are cardboard cutouts not much unlike Agent 99, they are able to elicit laughs from the audience.

Get Smart’s story is nothing special. The threat of a nuclear explosion isn’t something to be excited about, and it’s treated as it usually is so there’s nothing new here. The narrative feels contrived and the film appears to be several comic sketches strung together.

Although the story isn’t something to look forward to, the film still manages to be really funny. Through Carell’s performance and the witty writing, audiences get a good serving of laughs. From physical jokes and toilet humor to the more intelligent witticisms, the comedy is varied in Get Smart and is sure to please a variety of audiences. The film stumbles, however, when it includes George Bush jokes and references which feel old, and thus unfunny.

The final highlights of the film lie in its stunts. Though not the type that amaze with its dizzying feats, the stunts here are funny and outrageous. In one stunt, three people are atop a flaming SUV with a small plane stuck to it.

Get Smart is one of those run of the mill spy comedies. Aside from Carell’s performance, the film is a mediocrity. It does deliver the good laughs and manages to put on an entertaining enough show, but, expect nothing more.
Rating: 3.5 g’s