Let me explain my second opinion reviews just in case people are thinking a couple of things.  First off, no I wont be doing just second opinion reviews for Cade.  Second, I’ll only do them when there’s a difference of opinion regarding a movie we’ve all seen(unless there are already two Procrastinators doing said review then I’ll stay quiet, unless I REALLY want to share my thoughts).  Third, I like bitching about movies cause I’m bitter….lol…nah, really I’m usually harder on movies out of the rest of the Procrastinators so I end up writing the negative review.  I like to think I give enough justification(I imagine the j sun will write some sarcastic comment) for my reasons, so on that note here goes nothing.

I remember watching Get Smart with Mar when we were youngins back in the day.  We both enjoyed the show, but alas as I grew up I forgot most of it due to not being as big of a fan as Mar.  Having said this, I still don’t think it will really affect my opinion on this film, and I’ll try to explain why.  I’m kinda torn on how I feel about this movie cause it’s by no means a bad flick, but it feels like they gave four or five writers a chuck of it and said “Here, come up with stuff.  Even if it’s crap, we’ll use it”.  Translation, all kinds of humor is scattered throughout this movie making it feel at times like I was watching different movies.  There’s the clever subtle kind, the slapstick variety, and the same kind of crap you find in most Will Ferrell garbage.  I don’t mind varying ranges of comedy IF it’s executed well, not over used, and/or not predictable.  Unfortuately a lot of it IS over used, a lot of it IS very predictable, but a fair amount is executed well at least.  Another thing that bugs me about bad comedy in general is if it doesn’t fit the character.  Look back at all the great comedies and you’ll notice how all the great “gags” fit perfectly with how the character would react to the situation, or cause the situation in the first place.  Get Smart does the opposite of this with Max on occasion.  The best example I can give(or that I can really remember) involves a Swiss army knife/mini crossbow in an airplane’s bathroom.  Not only does this fall into the “beaten to death gag that never ends” it also doesn’t fit the character.  Without spoiling anything, Max finds himself tied up in a zip tie.  He then goes into the restroom to use his James Bond like gadget to free himself.  Instead of using the freakin knife blade to free himself he instead uses the mini crossbow….What the hell?  I get it if he used the knife there would be no “funny stuff”(although a clever writer(s) could have thought of something), but here’s my dilemma.  Max has been established from the get go as a smart, but unlucky fellow.  He’s not stupid by any means, it’s his luck that’s so bad, and the fact that he’s “invisible” to the world.  This explains why bad things just seem to happen to him.  The film does a great job setting up his character this way, and I was completely thrilled to see that he wasn’t a moron, just unlucky.  So, when this scene came on the screen I just had a puzzled look on my face throughout the whole over done act.  This ”gag” doesn’t fit the character this film has established.  If I were 12 I’d probably still laugh at it, but I’m not.  Another been there done that gag involves the big(literally) henchman having the heart of gold that’s buried underneath that rough and tough exterior.  If you can’t predict/see what is coming with this character then this is your kind of movie.

I mentioned early on how I was torn on this film.  That’s because if I hadn’t seen the trailers and tv spots tons and tons of times in the theatre, or on TV I think I would have laughed more.  Pretty much most of the best gags are seen in the trailers, so seeing these for the upteeth time while actually watching the movie itself left me bored.  I can’t really fault the movie for this so that’s why I’m torn.  Although I can fault some of the other gags I didn’t see in the trailers as ho-hum because of predictability.  If I know the “punchline” before the movie gets there then you’ve got problems in my book.  On a plus side, most of the cast fit their parts well.  Steve Carrel does a wonderful job as Max Smart.  I also like the fact that Dwayne Johnson’s character treated Max kindly while most of the other field agents treated him like he was the plague.  The grips I had with the cast are minor, but I’m gonna mention them cause this is my post and I’ll cry if I want to.  They involved David Koechner(I CAN”T STAND THIS GUY, even when he had his head stapled, and him…a field agent….rrriiiighhht), Alan Arkin, Anne Hathaway, and Terrence Stamp.  I said they were minor so don’t roll your eyes at my long list of people.  David Koechner sucks, done.  Alan Arkin was good, but when they gave him physical comedy I thought that was just stupid.  Anne Hathaway was good, but seeing a romantic relationship with her and Steve Carell was/is creepy.  Their “chemistry” together wasn’t a problem.  Just the idea of them “together” screamed “To Catch a Predator”.  In the movies defense it does explain her character in this regard, but still, creepy.  Terence Stamp’s character wasn’t given anything beyond being mean.  That’s all a?  Couldn’t give a good actor some more depth huh?  Couldn’t make the bad guy a tad more interesting?  I guess that’s too much to ask.

Let’s wrap this up shall we.  I came out of the theatre bored.  The movie itself is well made, most of the comedy would of been great if either I hadn’t seen it already, or couldn’t already see it coming.  The cast is pretty much on the level, with only a few minor hiccups.  The ending joke with Hymie and a cameo by Bill Murray were saddly just a few of the only moments I actually laughed out loud(even Mr. Murray’s part was over done).  Cade mentioned the action being good, and I’ll agree with that.  It’s not on par with an action movie(not really to be expected), but it’s better then most comedies attempts at action.  If you love the show, don’t mind predictable comedy, over done “gags”, and/or are 12 then you’ll have a smashing good time.

74 out of 100       

 –Gamin

Fellow Procrastinators:
Kuna: B
Silver: B-
Cade_Antillies: Read the Review
The juN: B+
Mar: B

This entry was posted on Wednesday, June 25th, 2008 at 5:40 pm and is filed under Gamin, Movies. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.