Rated PG13

Directed by Peter Segal

Starring Steve Carell, Anne Hathaway, Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, Terence Stamp, Alan Arkin, Kenneth Davitian, Masi Oka, Nate Torrence

Heidi’s Illustrious Rating: 3

Word of Warning: There is some violence in the form of guns and punching, but it is fairly tame. I only caught one overt sexual reference and I believe the rating on this movie is appropriate.

Many critics have not been giving this movie good reviews, especially those who were fans of the original television series. Having never watched the television show, “Get Smart,” I did not have any preconceived notions about the story. I am, however, a fan of the television show “The Office.” Therefore, when Steve Carell, who plays the oblivious boss, Michael Scott on the show, was cast as Maxwell Smart, I had to see the movie.

I enjoy watching a movie in a crowded theater because I can gauge crowd reaction to the show. Our theater for “Get Smart” was nearly sold out and howls of laughter reverberated throughout the theater for the entire two hours.

Maxwell Smart works for Control, a highly secretive agency of the United States Government developed during the Cold War era. Smart is the top analyst at Control; he monitors “chatter” of suspected terrorists, but longs to be promoted to agent. Alan Arkin’s portrayal of Chief of Control is brilliant and he draws almost as many laughs as Steve Carell. Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson (a personal favorite) is also highly entertaining as the handsome and revered Agent 23. James Caan hilariously plays the President of the United States. He relies heavily on his Vice President, cannot pronounce nuclear and believes satellite information is better than human intelligence.  

I had doubts about the casting of Anne Hathaway as Agent 99. Had she played one too many princesses to be taken seriously as Maxwell Smart’s straight “man?” Happily, my worries were unmerited. As the only female among a sea of male actors, Hathaway kicks butt with the best of them and is convincing as the feisty, veteran Agent 99.

Through a fluky chain of events, the Chief, against his better judgment, must make Smart an agent and teams him up with the beautiful Agent 99. Luckily, Smart has geeky analyst friends, played by Masi Oka of the television show “Heroes” and the very funny Nate Torrence. The two give Smart a high-tech Swiss Army knife equipped with, among other things, a flamethrower.

The plot involves Agent 99 and Smart traveling to Russia to uncover a terrorist scheme involving nuclear weapons. At times the storyline is a bit convoluted, but I didn’t mind because overall the movie is super funny. At times it is downright silly, but Steve Carell is entertaining even when he is being ridiculous.

Cameos often annoy me; the appearance of an unexpected celebrity momentarily takes me out of the movie. However, there is one very good and memorable cameo in “Get Smart.” Bill Murray shows up as an Agent 13, who in the original series was always being assigned to odd places, such as washing machines and mailboxes. Murray’s Agent 13 has also been assigned to a less than desirable location (you’ll have to watch the movie to find out where).

“Get Smart” isn’t going to win the award for Intellectual Movie of the Year, however it is really funny. If you enjoy non-offensive, slapstick comedy, this is the movie for you.

**Also appearing in the Berthoud Weekly Surveyor. 

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