The tuxedos, guns and gadgets are back. "Get Smart," a big-screen adaptation of the 1960s show parodying the spy genre, indulges in every James Bond and Pink Panther stereotype to create an enjoyable spoof.
A nerdy and clueless Steve Carell plays Maxwell Smart, an analyst tired of his desk job at CONTROL, a U.S. spy agency combating the evil organization KAOS.
When KAOS attacks CONTROL, Smart is promoted to agent status with partner Agent 99 (Anne Hathaway). Aided by the chief (Alan Arkin) and Agent 23 (Dwayne Johnson), they set out to foil KAOS' scheme and discover the agent who betrayed them.
Embracing the genre, you can expect a tricky love scenario, ridiculous conspiracy and of course, the indestructible hero.
The characters make "Get Smart" a pleasure to watch for fans of the genre, but the film cannot withstand a critical eye.
The jokes seem all too similar to gags done in the Austin Powers trilogy. The political jokes also seem worn out, but the character-based comedy compensates for these weak points. Steve Carell carries this film with his deadpan performance, and despite the outrageous characters, the actors seem to perform effortlessly.
The movie's title is an irony, not a promise to viewers. So long as the audience can stand the familiar format, "Get Smart" can get a few laughs with its not-so-clever quips.
