Get Smart (2008)
Comedic violence and coarse language
| Director: | Peter Segal |
| Actors: | Steve Carell, Anne Hathaway, Alan Arkin, Dwayne Johnson, David Koechner, Masi Oka, Nate Torrence, Bill Murray |
In the all-new action comedy Get Smart, Maxwell Smart (Steve Carell) is on a mission to thwart the latest plot for world domination by the evil crime syndicate known as KAOS. When the headquarters of US spy agency Control is attacked and the identities of its agents compromised, the Chief (Alan Arkin) has no choice but to promote his ever-eager analyst Maxwell Smart, who has always dreamt of working in the field alongside stalwart superstar Agent 23 (Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson). Smart is partnered instead with the only other agent whose identity has not been compromised: the lovely-but-lethal veteran Agent 99 (Anne Hathaway).
| Status: | QuickPick |
|---|---|
| Run time: | 110mins |
| Origin: | UNITED STATES |
| Aspect Ratio: | 16:9 |
Smart move
by Simon Miraudo, 16/06/2008 1:19:00 PM
First things first - Steve Carell is the perfect choice for stepping into Don Adams' (phone) shoes. He perfectly embodies the foolishness and semi-arrogance of Maxwell Smart, while always remaining completely lovable. The same goes for Anne Hathaway as Agent 99. Was she always this pretty? It's near impossible to take your eyes off of her, to the point where it actually distracts you from the rest of the film. As for the plot - there's nothing much you need to know. For the uninitiated, Get Smart follows the exploits of a bumbling spy (Carell) and his sassy sidekick (Hathaway). What is worth noting however is that it's as good an adaptation of the classic TV show you could ever hope for. The cast is perfect, the script is funny enough, and the action sequences are surprisingly exciting. T...
First things first - Steve Carell is the perfect choice for stepping into Don Adams' (phone) shoes. He perfectly embodies the foolishness and semi-arrogance of Maxwell Smart, while always remaining completely lovable. The same goes for Anne Hathaway as Agent 99. Was she always this pretty? It's near impossible to take your eyes off of her, to the point where it actually distracts you from the rest of the film.
As for the plot - there's nothing much you need to know. For the uninitiated, Get Smart follows the exploits of a bumbling spy (Carell) and his sassy sidekick (Hathaway). What is worth noting however is that it's as good an adaptation of the classic TV show you could ever hope for. The cast is perfect, the script is funny enough, and the action sequences are surprisingly exciting. The final 20 minutes is an extended chase involving planes, trains and automobiles, and is so well executed you wish you could see it again straight away. I'd never thought I'd say that about an action comedy starring Alan Arkin and The Rock. Of course, Arkin as The Chief proves he is still one of the funniest actors out there, and Dwayne Johnson (nee "The Rock") is pretty charming. If anything is going to take your eyes of Miss Hathaway, it's the incredibly well-toned former wrestler...or have I said too much?
Sure, the joke hit-and-miss ratio is not as high as some other recent action-comedies (Starsky and Hutch, Hot Fuzz). However, the entire cast is so likeable, you're willing to forgive a couple of flat laughs just to spend more time in their company. It's clear the audience I saw the film with agreed, breaking into applause on three separate occasions; twice due to well delivered punch lines, and once at the end of a well-executed dance sequence. Well, everyone else was clapping...I couldn't just sit there like an idiot.
Get Smart is a lot of fun, and doesn't treat its audience with contempt like so many other "comedies". It might not be as bold as upcoming comedies like Tropic Thunder or action flicks like Wanted - but it's a solid tribute to a classic show, as well as an entertaining film in its own right. The fact is, I would even look forward to another installment if this cast remains. In an age where even Ghost Rider gets a sequel, Get Smart makes you actually want one.
3.5/5
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Member Reviews (98)
98 Member
Reviews
Alfred
says
I know people who are very stuck on Don Adams as the "Maxwell Smart" character and did not even want to see this version. I found it very entertaining. It had a semi-serious atmosphere but the laughs were definitely there. Enjoy it.
Nick
says
better that I thought, really funny in places, helped by good casting and the actors playing it straight, tone a bit odd in places, good cameos too.
Barb
says
Histerical. A great laugh from start to finish. Always something unexpected, high action and a good plot.
shamilah d
says
Love Steve Carell but this is not one of his better movie choices. Does not do justice to the original series. Disappointing.
Jacinda
says
The kids laughed and laughed at this movie. Great for all ages.
kate
says
Wasn't sure whether it could live up to the original, but it definitely did! Anne Hathaway and Steve Carell are fantastic! Absolutely hilarious, and Hathaway is gorgeous! Surprisingly entertaining for kids and the adults! A must see!
Chris P
says
Surprisingly good.
shellygold
says
Great fun movie to watch with the family. Didn't stay true to the original series though as Max wasn't bumbling enough in this movie.
K
says
only first half was funny - very funny. Second half not many laughs
ian b
says
Far more enjoyable than I thought it would be. Some very funny actors carry this film very well.
sam
says
Surprisingly funny. Steve Carrell is very good.
Karen B.
says
If Get Smart had to be made into a movie - and I'm not convinced that it did - then Steve Carell and Anne Hathaway are probably the right leads for it. Good characterisations and preposterous situations made for a funny romp that we all enjoyed.
Dillon
says
I knew what to expect with this film but the humour still took me by surprise! I don't think I've laughed so hard before. It's silly and predictable but is still a great laugh.
Ann
says
I didn't like this movie Not like the old Get Smart the character just wasn't there
Sandra
says
nothing like the old get smart, boring
Georgiana
says
Mildly entertaining - good if you're not in the mood for anything too taxing. I still prefer the original Get Smart!
Colin
says
A better movie than I was expecting. It was a pleasant surprise
Bell
says
My husband said it was great, I didnt get a chance to fully watch it, he really enjoyed it though.
Shirley
says
Excellent family viewing. Some funny moments.
Karen
says
Loved this movie. Worth watching for the funny bits.
Peter F.
says
I lasted about 20 minutes. Honestly, what utter drivel !!!
"How To Ruin An Iconic TV Series In 3 Easy Steps"
I think the Americans have got that genre cornered, what with Bewitched, Lost In Space, The Stepford Wives, and now this piece of nonsense.
Complete waste of time !
Katrina
says
My hubby really enjoyed this I so did I. It was a fun film.
Michelle H.
says
I thought this movie was funny. Well acted by Steve Carell and Anne Hathaway. It wasn't over the top like I thought it may have been.
Helena A.
says
Loved it as Steve Carrell did not try to fill Don Adams shoes....as if anyone could anyway! Had his own style and flair and it worked......had a blast watching this movie!
Hayley
says
didnt finish watchingi it. Bit boring.
John D.
says
By calling it Get Smart, you are forced to make comparisons. Just as 007 is Sean Connery, so Get smart is Don Adams. Why not just make a different funny spy character?
Cassandra B.
says
I was disappointed with this film, growing up with the original TV espisodes of get smart and Steve Carrell just didn't have what it took for this role and I found him to be a completely different personality to what agent 86 was really like. It was still a good film to watch if you are into the stupid humour like such films as American Pie humour but to me I was disappointed and expected more. Not a film i would watch again.
Kylie C.
says
i didnt think i'd like it, but it was great, so funny! Love Steve and Anne plays the role of 99 well...
must see
Michelle
says
Entertaining, though a bit like Johnny English in the sense of an older man with a quite younger leading lady. The slapstick jokes were appropriate and as some say, there was a feeling of a sequel towards the end.
Margaret
says
Better then what I thought it would be and definately set up for a GET SMART 2 Which I would also see :)
Action, humour, all good :D An enjoyable popcorn movie :)
Paul
says
I loved the original series and really enjoyed this too.
Penny
says
not as bad as i thought - quite funny in places, mainly thanks to steve carrell..and the rock. like a modern, spoofier version of the tv show but with better reasoning as how max smart actually manages to be an agent.
Kathleen
says
Even better than I thought it would be. Watched it twice.
Linda
says
Nothing like the original, what a shame............
Amanda
says
Funnier than expected - great cast helps. Steve Carrell is awesome!
Lisa
says
not very good. Was disappointed. Didnt watch to the end.
Joanne M.
says
Dont bother, weak script. Bring back Don Adams! Not one of Steve's greatest.
Tina
says
Ooh yeah, this was a good one. The Rock was especially funny - but no surprises here with a great all star cast. Very funny. Not much like the series, but good nonetheless.
Ben
says
Fantastic and hilarious from start to finish. A movie that I would watch again and again. Great for the whole family.
Glen G.
says
As an old fan of Get Smart all I can say is well done and can't wait for the sequel.
Cameron B.
says
If you loved the TV series and the bumbling slapstick humour, ... you're going to be very disappointed. This was dreadful. I managed a couple of slight chuckles here and there, but its not a funny film. The character of Max in this movie is the antithesis of the character in the TV series. Yet there is still weak connections to the series ... "Sorry about that", "Missed it by that much" etc. It just doesn't work. Go and watch the TV series instead, ... it is WAY better!!!
Janine
says
Sweet. Delighted to see who played Hymie.
Eduardo
says
The Get Smart hmovie was funny and a good action too
Skye R.
says
L.M.A.O. FROM THE BEGINNING TO THE END, which was all too soon. I hope they start a new series ... on free to air!
Renata E.
says
entertaining. better than we thought it would be.
Fleur W.
says
Loved loved, loved it. Very funny and better than the t.v show. Was not expecting much out of this movie so was very pleasantly surprised.
Sunet N.
says
Not as absurd as the old serie, The SMART character is also not so hopeless. I will compare this flick to Johnny English. Had a few laughs but basically it remained average. Anne Hathaway is so boring and the storyline loses its sense at a certain point. At the end I just didn't give a damn. It was more like a One Man Show than a movie. Was expecting funnier and I enjoyed Johnny English more because I knew it was going to be absurd and wasn't disappointed while GET SMART didn't deliver what the serie was about.
Andrew
says
Make no mistake, this is not a movie length episode of the classic TV series. It was probably safer that way, as it would be hard to do justice to Don Adams take on the bumbling spy. This has some promise but then becomes just another action/comedy movie. If you treat it like that, you will probably get more out of it.
Avril
says
Really good. Pays tribute to the original but does not try to mimic it. Even though I loved the original series I liked this Max better than the original. He is more human and less annoying.
Tobe B.
says
Great movie. My 16yr old was laughing like a drain all the way through. No offensive visuals or language and an all round funny movie.
As Alfred S has summarised this movie perfectly I will leave it at that.
Ann
says
Very funny. Steve Carrell is the next funny guy in town. His facial expression is wonderful, so is the script in this movie. Overall it is very entertaining movie. I laugh from the beginning to the end.
MR.
says
Not funny at all...
Jo B.
says
you have to be a real get smart fan. was not my cup of tea.
Owen H.
says
As a huge fan of the original TV series, I found it hard to watch this modernsed take on Get Smart. The screenplay seemed like it was written by a 8 year old, with sections of the story barely achieving contiguousness. Steve Carrell's one-dimesionsal acting skills don't give justice to this classic and pale in comparison to Don Adam's Agent 86.
Scott P.
says
This was a very funny movie, but the TV series it isn't. Steve Carell was the perfect actor for the job of Maxwell Smart and Anne Hathaway is a good Agent 99. Looking forward to the next installment since they left open for a sequel.
Steven
says
not as good as i thaught it would be
Kerrie B.
says
Yaaawwwn! Ok, I'm a boring Generation X-er, raised on the original series and I just KNEW I was going to be disappointed. The slapstick that made the original so funny was missing, althoughr Steve Carrell is a credible Max. Anne Hathaway is way too young for the role and is sotty to MAx for no apparent reason. Weird.
My tip is that if you're over 35 and remember the original, then give this a miss. If you don't know the gags and fun you're missing, then this is okay.
Joanne
says
I thought it was brilliant. The casting of Steve Carrell as Maxwell Smart was a great decision. Anne Hathaway did well in her role as Agent 99. Overall, i hope they bring out a sequel.
Ross L.
says
Very funny and entertaining movie and the gag reel and smart takes are hilarious. Steve Carell is a very, very funny man and the other actors can't help but feed off his comedic talent. Really enjoyed and looking forward to sequel with Hymie
Joanne
says
Quite funny. I really enjoyed it. Very entertaining.
ka-tet
says
This did well to turn a one joke TV show into a sustainable movie. You gotta love the chief having it out with the CIA and Secret Service, then going the vice president (That's it I've been wanting to do this since Nixon). Enjoyed this far more than I thought I would.
Bernadette B.
says
Pretty silly but more entertaining than I imagined it would be. It was fun watching for the nods to the series and Carell was surprisingly endearing as Max.
Alex M.
says
Amazing movie! They did really well to not just redo what was already done, but still have so much of the feel (and lines etc) of the original. Excellent casing! Nobody could play Max like Steve Carell. All in all very well done.
Sheila
says
Not bad for a laugh.
Warwick B.
says
Excellent Movie!!!!!! Keeps you entertained the whole way through!! I could watch this movie a million times over and never get sick of it. A must see movie which the whole family will love.
Evert W.
says
This was absolutely terrible. I loved Steve Carell's
other movies but this was horrible! Sorry Steve......
Kerri D.
says
Not nearly as good as the original TV series but still
worth a watch. You'll need to persevere though as the first half feels a bit disappointing but if you can stick with the story the second half of this movie
improves out of sight and is very entertaining.
Jennifer S.
says
It's a cracker. Most people will love this film. :D
Lauren
says
I have to stay as much as i love Steve Carrell this movie is boring. The TV show is 1000 times better.
Michelle
says
Pretty boring. I wish they hadn't done it the original series is just so funny and this wasn't. I feel sorry for kids who haven't seen the series and they think the movie is the same. Some laughs along the way.
Kevin D.
says
The film's Maxwell Smart is a lot better than the TV version - however the TV version (Barbara Rush) of agent 99 is far superior to the film's. What a waste of talent is Terence Stamp - such a shame - his last great film is 'The Limey' .
Tanya
says
My 13 yo loved this particuarly the interactive ending choices. Not the tv series of old but a very clever, more sophisticated version for the grownups.
Naquita S.
says
LOVE THIS MOVIE!!!!!!! Definately not like the TV Series... it's BETTER. Didn't really see the twist towards the end coming which is great. I hate predictable movies. Very funny movie. I even liked Steve Carell in it... and I personally think he's an idiot - but I do hate the Office so maybe that's why? Must see movie - even if you weren't a fan of the TV series.
Esther
says
funny as!! absolutely enjoyable movie, brings memories of the original series!
Kim
says
Better than I thought it would be. The only let down was 99's character who seemed to have a real chip on her shoulder through the whole movie. I think her private life was showing through. Carrell was his usual entertaining self and it was vy enjoyable.
Kylie C.
says
This was hilarious! Steve Carell did a good job
Bridget
says
Had some of the tag lines of the original TV series, with the original Siegfried in a cameo appearance, but overall a good modernisation of an old show. Loved it!!
Ian
says
Being a fan of the series, and remembering the series it when it first came out, I had always looked forward to the non rating times as Get Smart was often repeated, yes I am that much of a fan. So the movie, overall great. Max, and 13 were very well done. The one thing, to me that did not fit well, Siegfried, although I like Terence Stamp he did not fit the traditional role, the original was unfailingly polite, even though he was one of the bad guys. Better than the movies with the original cast.
Matthew B.
says
Very funny (often laugh out loud) film with high production quality. Great performances by all and lots and lots of innuendo and cameos hinting to the original TV series.
JT
says
If you do not try to compare it with the TV series, it not a bad movie. There a quite a few laughs. But once you start comparing it to the TV series you get disappointed. I enjoyed the movie and think anyone who has not seen the TV series will too.
lat36s
says
We were not hopeful when this arrived - how could anyone emulate Don Adams? Good news, this is not a copy of the TV series. Steve Carrell's Agent 86 is an original, offset by humour from Anne Hathaway's 99. The very rare bits where the movie falls flat are due to copying lines from the TV series.
Julie R.
says
very entertaining, better than we expected it to be..
Alan N.
says
I was dubious of this at first, but found it to be a very witty and funny comedy, probably even better that the TV series. I thouroughly enjoyed it.
Margaret C.
says
Truly awful. Somehow they managed to get the comedic timing all wrong.
Sandra S.
says
Found it pretty boring actually. Didn't expect much of it and even then it was worse than I thought it would be.
Catherine C.
says
Funniest PG movie I've ever seen. Actually... it's one of the funniest movies I've ever seen. Definitely a movie worth watching. Highly recommended!
brodie
says
I came in with low expectations of the movie, based on media reviews, however I wa pleasantly suprised. As a fan of the TV show I appreciated the references to the old locations (cue opening and closing scenes) and catch phrases. However, the movie had some modern twists - for example an empowered and take charge 99, upfront about the fact she is competent and saves Max's ass. But he grows through the movie, and is far more competent than the Adams' Smart, with an interesting back story. Best of all are the scenes involving the VP and President: clearly referencing Chaney and Bush, and the scene that pays tribute to Dr Strangelove. See it as homage rather than remake of the original TV series, and appreciate the movie and political references
Colin Y.
says
Great movie ! Although I was brought up on Agent 86
Di-Anne R.
says
O.K.
Joahla
says
This movie didn't have the same humourous spark of the original TV series. Steve Carell's Maxwell Smart was more like a 007 agent than a mishappen one. They brought back the modern, reliable equivalent of the "Cone Of Silence" and the villian of Siegfried.
Catherine M.
says
Great family movie. We all stopped to watch the antics of 86 and 99 one more time and we loved it. Plenty of familiar catch line and props for those who remember the origional but a fresh new story as well.
Trent S.
says
He's not Austin Powers. He's not Inspector Clouseau. That the producers managed to differentiate the character of Maxwell Smart from all the other comedic spies - including Bond - makes this a winner. Bring on the sequel.
Billy
says
Get Smart has got two WWE superstars in the cast, The rock (Dwayne Johnson) and The Great Khali (Dalip Singh). Get smart is basically a WWE export.
Luisa E.
says
Much better than I expected. It took a bit to get used to the new Maxwell Smart. No slapstick here. Entertaining to watch.
Jan K.
says
I was afraid it wouldn't be very funny after all the talk about it - but it did very well - we loved it!
Patricia J.
says
It was so much funnier than I thought it wold be. Steve Carrell was a perfect Maxwell Smart! The chief was my highlight, he had so many funny lines. Loved it!
Okto F.
says
Entertaining.
Alfred S.
says
Those expecting a movie version of the TV series will probably be disappointed but overall this a great comedy. Steve Carrell's Agent 86 is not the repetitive slapstick silly TV agent we grew up with. He is in many ways better. All the actors do a credible job in this one and there's obviously a sequel on its way as Hymie only appears in the last few frames of the movie.