Get Smart Balances Humor, Action
Maxwell Smart in Film Version of Spy Parody Part Bond, Part Gilligan
Stripping away the canned laughter of the original, director Peter Segal discovers in the title character of Get Smart a secret agent that is more comical because of his inexperience and almost supernaturally unobservant nature than due to any true bungling or slapstick. Carell, known for his work on the television series The Office, maintains his deadpan composure through death-defying action scenes and classic one liners with equal aplomb.
Writing is Just Hilarious Enough for a Secret Agent Movie
Writers Tom J. Astle and Matt Ember opted for a witty, intelligent screenplay that still managed to have jokes to appeal to a wide audience. Slapstick comedy and bathroom jokes could have easily populated this film, following the trend of parody film versions such as Starsky and Hutch, but Astle and Ember recognized that a parody of a parody would be overkill. Instead, they lifted the level of the writing, and especially the comedy, head and shoulders above the sitcom upon which this movie was based.
Without risking any spoilers, the writing has a lot to offer, both to fans of the original show and audiences new to Maxwell Smart:
- Dialogue which is quick and interesting, but not too fast to follow
- Several jokes that were funny enough to keep this reviewer from hearing the next line or two of dialogue
- Appropriate uses for such Smart one liners as "Would you believe . . ." and "Missed it by that much!"
- Classic sight gags like the Cone of Silence and the shoe phone
Characters and Tech True to Original Series, Yet Updated
Fans of the original sitcom know the quirks and foibles of the Chief and more CONTROL agents, including Agents 13 and 99. These characters were all true to the original versions, while being updated enough to shake the dust of the Sixties from their high-tech gadgets. The Chief is given a slightly more aggressive personality, but maintains his memorable silver fringe of hair. Ninety-nine is far more skilled an agent than the sitcom ever gave her credit for, and has more back story than she did in the original 1965 feature film, five seasons of television, and two made-for-TV movies.
The technology manages to be just as useful as anything James Bond might have in his vest pocket, while having a slightly sillier edge. Exploding dental floss is not something one would expect Q to be working on for Her Majesty's Secret Service, but it would probably be as useful in the long run as a car that can drive up walls made entirely of ice.
