Get Smart

Jeri Jacquin, Movie Maven

Opening in theatres this Friday from Warner Brothers Pictures is a comedy brought from the 1965 television series to the big screen with “Get Smart”.

In this film Maxwell Smart (Steve Carell) has taken the Agent’s exam believing he is finally ready for a promotion. Because of a raid on Control Headquarters by the evil KAOS, Max is finally given his dream job as Agent 86.

Although Smart had always dreamed of teaming up with his hero, Agent 23 (Dwayne Johnson), agents have been compromised. For their protection Smart is teamed up with Agent 99 (Anne Hathaway) to unravel KAOS’ master plan.

From Russia and back, Smart and 99 do what they must with as little as possible to capture the evil Seigfried (Terrence Stamp) before his destructive plan is carried out – but is Seigfried really responsible.

It is time to save the world but will Smarts first mission be his last? 

FINAL WORD: Carell is charming as Agent 86. This is definitely not the Don Adams role some may expect to see. This Maxwell Smart isn’t a goof as much as he is glued to his beliefs in being the perfect Agent for Control! Carell is also an Executive Producer of the film.

Hathaway portrays a headstrong Agent 99 in this film. Slowly we see her growing on screen from “The Princess Diaries” to “The Devil Wears Prada” to “Get Smart”. She takes on an equal role here. Arkin as The Chief has his comedic moments.

Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson uses his charm and sarcasm to pull off the role of Agent 23. Stamp seemed more irritated in his role than being a bad guy. There was a lot of comedy from Ken Davitian as the evil sidekick and Dalip Singh as the HUGE henchman.

There are small roles from “Heroes” Masi Oka, Bill Murray as Agent 13, Nate Torrence as Lloyd and James Caan as The President. Also making an appearance is Kevin Neelon and Larry Miller as CIA Agents. Ryan Seacrest makes a momentary appearance as well. Even Bernie Kopell makes a cameo in an Opel to give audiences of the original series a laugh.

Not go be forgotten are the shoe telephone, the red sports car and the slamming metal doors leading to the phone booth to Control Headquarters making small cameos of their own.

A little trivia - none other than the legendary and hysterically funny Mel Brooks and Buck Henry created the original characters for the 1965 “Get Smart” series.

TUBS OF POPCORN: I give “Get Smart” three tubs of popcorn out of five. This is more of a Saturday early matinee enjoyable comedy with a bit of spoofing. There are a lot of inside jokes for fans of the original series. I don’t think it would be much fun for kids but teens and adults will have a laugh.

This is a little different “Get Smart” and for Carell fans his humor is consistent as Agent 86. As Maxwell Smart he is saving the world…and loving it!