Shawn's Get Smart Review

2008 Movie #64 - Get Smart

I really have to start writing these things right after I see the movies and when they're fresh in my mind. I saw this like 5 days ago now and as usual am just now getting around to writing the review for it. I really didn't have any feelings on this movie going into it. I have no attachment to the original TV show and figured this one would go the route that most classic TV shows end up going when they're made into modern day movies...that's right, the shit route. You don't have to look any further than the Charlie's Angel movies, Bewitched,Dukes of Hazard and more that I can't take the time to think of right now. However this one turns out to be a pleasant surprise.

In a year of mostly shit comedies (with a few exceptions of course) this one definitely stands out from the rest. It's not a hilarious movie, but it's certainly better than a lot of the crap comedies hollywood's anus has been dropping into theatres in the last few months. It remains smile worthy throughout, with a few lines and moments here and there being very funny.

The cast does a great job, with Steve Carell definitely making up for last year's Evan Almighty. He never overdoes it and makes the performance too over the top and he also actually manages to handle the action scenes surprisingly well. The supporting cast is also very good, with the standout being Alan Arkin as the Chief. I also pretty much support anything The Rock is involved with so he also wins here.

I mentioned earlier about Steve Carell handling the action well and that brings me to my next point. I knew going in that this movie would at least feature a few action scenes but I didn't know the actual level of action it would feature. There are some full blown action sequences in this movie and for the most part they are well done. They aren't going to rival like Transformers or anything like that but they are exciting, with the end chase being a particular stand out in the movie.

I've never really seen the original show so I can't really draw parallels here, which is overall probably a good thing because it would make me a lot more critical of the movie. As it stands I found it to be an enjoyable action comedy that will probably be forgotten in the coming months but is thoroughly entertaining while it lasts.

*** 1/2 /5