Despite having solid field training, CIA analyst Susan Cooper (Melissa McCarthy) has spent her entire career as a desk jockey, working hand-in-hand with dashing agent Bradley Fine (Jude Law). Using high-tech equipment and a hidden earpiece, Susan is the guardian angel who helps Bradley avoid danger. However, when Bradley is assassinated by Bulgarian arms dealer Rayna Boyanov (Rose Byrne), Susan wrangles her way into her first undercover assignment to help capture Boyanov and avenge Bradley. (1)
Review
Hello, Movie Buffs!
Spy (2015) is a top-notch comedy film that could almost be considered a spy-parody film due to the ridiculous situation the characters find themselves in. For those expecting a James Bond type spy film will be sadly mistaken because that is not what this film is at all. Spy is similar to True Lies (1994), it is a comedy infused with generally serious actors – like Jude Law (Captain Marvel; Fantastic Beast 2), Jason Statham (The Meg), and even Rose Byrne (Neighbors; Troy) – play goofy and ridiculous. characters Comedies are not meant to be taken seriously nor are they meant to be thought-provoking, they are just simply meant to entertain and be funny. And that is exactly what this film does.
The script is solid. The beginning builds slowly with a few jokes, and then the action takes off with funny one-liners and inside jokes throughout. The story sets up expectations and then takes us on a completely different path with hilarious results. I am normally putt-off by vulgar language in films, especially comedies because they are generally used to inflict an awkward/nervous kind of laughter. However, while there are some language and mature innuendoes that are not suitable for anyone under 18, this film uses it as a way to deliver one-liners and brilliant banter exchange between characters.
The characters were great. Melissa McCarthy (Life of the Party) demonstrates that she can be the starring role in a comedy without all the unnecessary jokes. She brings a level of finesse that I have not seen from her before. Jude Law plays the Bond type of spy but parody type of humor rather than the suave coolness that Bond exudes. Jason Statham is unexpectedly funny and it is refreshing to see him play the role of a hilarious dumb brute. Peter Serafinowicz (Shaun of the Dead) is funny as Aldo, the Italian spy McCarthy ends up partnering with. Miranda Hart (Call of the Midwife) is always a joy to see and her chemistry with McCarthy as the best friend is hilarious throughout. Rose Bryne is funny as the villain who is more like an heiress playing dress up. Morena Baccarin (Stargate SG-1) has a small part as Karen Walker, one of the top spies in the agency who tends to be one fry short of a happy meal.
Overall, Spy (2015) is an entertaining comedy film to enjoy with friends (or by yourself if you choose). This is not thought-provoking or intense like James Bond or Mission Impossible, but rather this is more like True Lies (1994) or you could almost say that this is a spy version of The Office (2005 - 2013). One thing is for certain, this film will make you laugh at the comedy and at generally serious actors play goofy and ridiculous characters. I highly recommend this film to anyone 18 and older, as there is some language and mature innuendos that younger audiences may not understand entirely. This is by now means a family-film but rather it is a film worth watching with friends.
[rides a moped up a ramp]
"I AM SO BADASS!"
- Susan Cooper [then lands in wet cement]
Final Vote
Worth Seeing: 7.5 of 10 stars
Worth Buying: 7.5 of 10 stars
Movies Similar
The A-Team (2010)
Austin Powers in Goldmember (2002)
Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery (1997)
Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me (1999)
Central Intelligence (2016)
Charlie's Angels (2000)
Charlie's Angels: Full Throttle (2003)
Get Smart (2008)
Ghostbusters (2016)
The Heat (2013)
I Spy (2002)
Identity Thief (2013)
Johnny English (2003)
Johnny English Reborn (2011)
Keeping Up with the Joneses (2016)
Killers (2010)
Kingsman: The Secret Service (2015)
Kingsman: The Golden Circle (2017)
Knight & Day (2010)
The Man From U.N.C.L.E. (2015)
Miss Congeniality (2000)
Miss Congeniality 2: Armed and Fabulous (2005)
Mr. & Mrs. Smith (2005)
Neighbors (2014)
Neighbors 2 (2016)
Ocean's 8 (2018)
The Other Guys (2010)
The Other Woman (2014)
Paul Blart: Mall Cop (2009)
Paul Blart: Mall Cop 2 (2015)
Red (2010)
Red 2 (2013)
This Means War (2012)
True Lies (1994)
Austin Powers in Goldmember (2002)
Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery (1997)
Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me (1999)
Central Intelligence (2016)
Charlie's Angels (2000)
Charlie's Angels: Full Throttle (2003)
Get Smart (2008)
Ghostbusters (2016)
The Heat (2013)
I Spy (2002)
Identity Thief (2013)
Johnny English (2003)
Johnny English Reborn (2011)
Keeping Up with the Joneses (2016)
Killers (2010)
Kingsman: The Secret Service (2015)
Kingsman: The Golden Circle (2017)
Knight & Day (2010)
The Man From U.N.C.L.E. (2015)
Miss Congeniality (2000)
Miss Congeniality 2: Armed and Fabulous (2005)
Mr. & Mrs. Smith (2005)
Neighbors (2014)
Neighbors 2 (2016)
Ocean's 8 (2018)
The Other Guys (2010)
The Other Woman (2014)
Paul Blart: Mall Cop (2009)
Paul Blart: Mall Cop 2 (2015)
Red (2010)
Red 2 (2013)
This Means War (2012)
True Lies (1994)
No comments:
Post a Comment