Get Smart is silly. What were you expecting, The English Patient?

Get Smart

Starring – Steve Carell, Anne Hathaway, Alan Arkin, Terrance Stamp, Dwayne Johnson, and a bevy of other very talented actors (including Hiro!)

Rated – PG13 (Action and violence, with some suggestive humor and language.)

IMDb User Rating – Not Enough Votes
Rotten Tomatoes – (A baffling) 54%

Sample Review Quote –

Get Smart rides Steve Carell’s considerable charm for a few laughs, but in the end is a rather ordinary Summer comedy.

First of all, who goes to a movie adaptation about the zany television series “Get Smart” expecting something extraordinary? Sometimes I simply don’t understand the buckled-down mentality of critics; it is quite obvious that this movie was clearly not made for them.

The reviewer is correct in one aspect: Steve Carell is a major part of why this movie is actually funny. If you don’t appreciate his patented brand of socially awkward humor, then this film may not be for you. But if you love incompetence with and earnest smile, then you just might fall for it.

The big laughs come from Carell’s spot-on interpretation of Max’s hopeless bumbles. He’s endearingly serious, unbelievably steadfast, and definitely not a quitter. I found this one of the most appealing aspects of the movie, including the amazing addition to his backstory that had me nearly rolling on the floor with laughter.

Anne Hathaway was also fairly likeable in her role. She’s the slim, seductive, and sometimes stinging Agent 99, the yin to his yang. While their chemistry isn’t electric like one would find in most spy films, it is definitely on a low simmer. They have a few choice moments, many of which involve uncomfortable situations that Max simply does not have the experience to handle and often end with a sheepish grin.

The supporting characters are fabulous. I simply have to get that out there. With cameos left and right (which I won’t spoil), and hilarious jibes at the current GOP, the movie is not afraid to get a little dirty at times to cackle-warming results.

The movie had myself, and everyone else at the midnight showing, nearly dying with laughter throughout. Not only does in work on the comedic level, but it is a good action flick, with the kinds of fun gadgets that one has come to expect from the series. Most importantly, it preserves the feel of the show perfectly. It is supremely fun and entertaining, and well worth a watch.