DAVID BIANCULLI

Founder / Editor

ERIC GOULD

Associate Editor

LINDA DONOVAN

Assistant Editor

Contributors

ALEX STRACHAN

MIKE HUGHES

KIM AKASS

MONIQUE NAZARETH

ROGER CATLIN

GARY EDGERTON

TOM BRINKMOELLER

GERALD JORDAN

NOEL HOLSTON

 
 
 
 
 
"Get Smart" Movie Remake: Sorry About That, Chief
June 19, 2008  | By David Bianculli  | 24 comments
 

get_smart_movie_image_anne_.jpg

There are moments of the new Get Smart movie, which opens tonight at midnight, that are truly funny -- a sight gag here, a sly reference there, a perfectly delivered line of dialogue over there. And just before it ends, there's a cameo appearance that absolutely screams for a sequel.

But in the end, this movie remake of the classic Get Smart TV series -- and here's a line I'm betting will be used by at least a plurality of the movie critics reviewing the film -- missed it by that much.

GET-SMART-MOVIE-shoephone.jpg

The movie got some things right, so let's salute those first. It found a way to incorporate the now museum-dusty props from the 1965-70 TV show -- the shoephone, Maxwell Smart's red sports car -- by placing them in an actual CONTROL museum. It updated the multiple sliding doors gag to good effect, and made room for Bill Murray to make an uncredited appearance as an agent in disguise. And most of Don Adams' catch phrases as the original Secret Agent 86 -- "Sorry about that, chief," "Missed it by that much," "the old __________ trick") are present and accounted for.

get-smart-tv-series.jpg

The casting, too, is strong. Alan Arkin, as the new Chief, is dry and delightful, and earns the biggest laugh in the movie -- a profanity-laden reaction at the end of one chase scene. Anne Hathaway, as Agent 99, even wears a wig in one extended sequence (see top photo), just to approximate the mod look of Barbara Feldon circa 1966. She's stronger, more independent and less enamored of Max than in the original series -- more like Emma Peel than Agent 99 -- but the changes fit the character as well as the times, and Hathaway looks great.

Dwayne Johnson, as tough-guy Agent 23, brings less to the mix than Arkin or Hathaway, but that's as much a function of plot as character. And Steve Carell, as Max, plays him as -- well, as Steve Carell, basically. Nothing wrong with that. Instead, the problem with his character is the same problem that ultimately dilutes the movie: a lack of consistency.

In some scenes, Max is a bumbler (throwing the phone, throwing the grappling hook). In other scenes, he's comically adroit, flexible and accurate. In some scenes, he's naive or dumb. In others, he's sly and clever. And the film's producers, and director Peter Segal, chose not to present Get Smart as a straight spy spoof, in the mold of the Austin Powers or In Like Flint movies -- but as an action/comedy hybrid. There are extended chase and action scenes that are played not for laughs, but for suspense. But there isn't any.

At the end of Get Smart the movie, an actor shows up making a brief, unexpected appearance as Hymie the Robot, a beloved character from the original series. Just the sight of this actor (whose identity I'll keep secret, so you can enjoy it yourself) playing this part makes me hope the movie earns enough to launch a sequel, because a Hymie-Max-99 movie would be a vast improvement on this often awkward and inconsistent relaunch effort.

The filmmakers have the right core cast. Now all they have to do next time, if there is a next time, is trust the tone of the Buck Henry-Mel Brooks original series, and go for laughs all the way. The teen boys can get their cinematic action fix satisfied elsewhere... but what made Get Smart funny then works just as well now.

 

6 Comments

 

Jon Delfin said:

Buck Henry weeps.

By the way, it's Barbara Feldon, not Felton. (Bad typing. I'll correct. Thanks! -- David B.)

Comment posted on June 19, 2008 10:11 AM


Ken said:

Think the phrase is "Sorry 'bout that Chief" (No, Adams' diction was quite clear on most of his usage of that phrase. I'l stand by "about." And if there's a Canadian remake, I hope they don't say "aboot." -- David B.)

Comment posted on June 20, 2008 5:52 AM


Toby OB said:

Now you've got me curious to see it, but I've been burned too often by TV show remake movies to risk seeing it - especially in a Manhattan theatre where the price is a killer.

When they were announcing the casting for the movie, I couldn't figure why they weren't using Dwayne Johnson to play Hymie. I thought that would have been a natural choice. So this is where the curiousity factor comes in - finding out who does nab the role. (It's a really good choice... I'll discuss it Wednesday, if nobody else has revealed it beforehand. -- David B.)

Comment posted on June 21, 2008 12:33 AM


Jackpot games said:

I haven't seen the original series, but I saw the movie and I loved it. I could not stop laughing, and now I want to watch the series. I noticed that you can watch it on Nickelodeon, so I will. (Enjoy! Let me know what you think of the original article. -- David B.)

Comment posted on July 4, 2008 3:25 PM


patrick said:

Get Smart looks okay overall, though Steve Carell seems to be veering more and more toward slapstick-style humor

Comment posted on July 10, 2008 5:31 AM


watch get smart movie said:

Get smart is a comedy action movie. I had seen this movie with my brother and we were laughing throughout the movie.

Comment posted on October 28, 2009 3:21 AM
 
 
 
 
 
Leave a Comment: (No HTML, 1000 chars max)
 
 Name (required)
 
 Email (required) (will not be published)
 
RWWNU
Type in the verification word shown on the image.
 
 
 Page: 1 of 2  | Go to page: 
24 Comments
 
 
I really enjoyed reading your articles. It looks like you've spent a lot of time and effort on your blog.
Oct 9, 2024   |  Reply
 
 
mr winston
The Mr Winstone Hoodie is made to keep you comfortable and stylish. Its soft fabric feels great, and the design is simple but cool. This hoodie is perfect for everyday wear, whether you're at home or out with friends. It's a great choice for anyone who loves easy, laid-back style. visit this site: https://mrwinstone.com/
Sep 10, 2024   |  Reply
 
 
mr winston
The Mr Winstone Hoodie is made to keep you comfortable and stylish. Its soft fabric feels great, and the design is simple but cool. This hoodie is perfect for everyday wear, whether you're at home or out with friends. It's a great choice for anyone who loves easy, laid-back style. visit this site: https://mrwinstone.com/
Sep 10, 2024   |  Reply
 
 
bk8vn
Bài vi?t này r?t hay và dáng d?c. Hãy chia s? bài vi?t này v?i b?n bè và ngu?i thân c?a b?n n?u b?n th?y h?u ích nhé!
N?u b?n quan tâm d?n ch? d? Cá cu?c th? thao hay ghé tham website c?a chúng tôi: https://bk8vn.blog
Jul 3, 2024   |  Reply
 
bk8
Tác gi? vi?t bài r?t chuyên nghi?p và có óc phân tích sâu s?c. Mình r?t thích cách vi?t b?n. Mong tác gi? có th? vi?t thêm nhi?u bài vi?t hay khác v? ch? d? này. Ngoài ra tác gi? và các b?n có th? ghé tham d?c các n?i dung h?u ích c?a website chúng tôi t?i dây: https://bk8vn.blog/
Jul 3, 2024
 
 
 
Great tips to follow. Being professional and showing them there’s more to come I think are the most important. You need to give them a great article, that makes them want to come back. And then make sure you don’t disappoint.
May 14, 2024   |  Reply
 
 
eric emanuel shorts
Great blog post! I love how you've stressed the rearmost fashion trends, also mention. The combination of style and comfort in this shorts is truly remarkable.
Feb 19, 2024   |  Reply
 
 
sp5der
Great blog post! I love how you've stressed the rearmost fashion trends, also mention. The combination of style and comfort in this hoodie is truly remarkable.
Feb 19, 2024   |  Reply
 
 
bubble slides
Great blog post! I love how you've stressed the rearmost fashion trends, also mention. The combination of style and comfort in these shoes is truly remarkable.
Feb 19, 2024   |  Reply
 
 
chrome heart hoodie
Great blog post! I love how you've stressed the rearmost fashion trends, also mention chrome heart hoodie. The combination of style and comfort in this hoodie is truly remarkable.
Feb 9, 2024   |  Reply
 
 
broken planet hoodie
Great blog post! I love how you've stressed the rearmost fashion trends, also mention. The combination of style and comfort in this hoodie is truly remarkable.
Feb 9, 2024   |  Reply
 
 
MARNI SHIRT
Great blog post! I love how you've stressed the rearmost fashion trends, also mention. The combination of style and comfort in this shirt is truly remarkable.
Jan 22, 2024   |  Reply
 
 
stacked jeans
Great blog post! I love how you've stressed the rearmost fashion trends, also mention The combination of style and comfort in this jeans is truly remarkable.
Jan 22, 2024   |  Reply
 
 
SPIDER HOODIE
Great blog post! I love how you've stressed the rearmost fashion trends
Jan 22, 2024   |  Reply
 
 
SPIDER HOODIE
Great blog post! I love how you've stressed the rearmost fashion trends, also mention . The combination of style and comfort in this hoodie is truly remarkable.
Jan 22, 2024   |  Reply
 
 
You should mainly superior together with well-performing material, which means that see it:
Jan 11, 2024   |  Reply
 
 
I understand this column. I realize You put a many of struggle to found this story. I admire your process.
Dec 24, 2023   |  Reply
 
 
The comments reflect various opinions and observations about the film, its cast, and its fidelity to the original TV series.
Oct 18, 2023   |  Reply
 
 
You must be missing someone who can join you at your party or go with you on a date to enjoy quality time with you. Once you reach our escorts agency in Delhi we can ensure that you will enjoy the fantastic drive with her. Our independent escorts in Delhi are gorgeous. They are sizzling and seductive. They know all the sexual positions that you will love to have with her curvy body.
Oct 13, 2023   |  Reply
 
 
These websites are really needed, you can learn a lot.
Oct 8, 2023   |  Reply
 
 
It's superior, however , check out material at the street address.
Oct 8, 2023   |  Reply
 
 
 
 Page: 1 of 2  | Go to page: