2008 Woodie Awards
'Smart' cinema targets funny bone
MIRANDA STANCIL
Issue date: 7/3/08 Section: Variety
Steve Carell and Anne Hathaway deliver a comedic yet endearing performance in "Get Smart," which opened June 20 and brought in nearly $80 million at the box office.
"Get Smart" follows the notoriously clumsy Maxwell Smart (Carell) and Agent 99 (Hathaway). The duo team up to stop the evil geniuses at KAOS from destroying the free world.
Verdict: Anne Hathaway + Steve Carell = Smart Casting
After headquarters at U.S. Spy Agency Control are attacked, every agent's identity is compromised, forcing the Chief of CONTROL (Alan Arkin) to promote Smart from analyst to agent.
The movie is brilliantly simplistic. The plot is straightforward, lending light to other more important aspects that make the movie more than just another summer action comedy.
Carell's performance is key in producing the kind of human element that leaves an impression on audience. Hathaway also gives a stunning performance. Far from her days in "The Princess Diaries," Hathaway exudes vibrancy, depth and, of course, stunning beauty.
The movie itself offers an enjoyable mix between slapstick and subtle humor similar to that in "The 40-Year-Old Virgin."
The action, however, is not much to get excited about. The movie has enough special effects to please, but the plot line is so simple it lacks any unpredictable twists.
This simplicity maintains the most appealing elements of the film - soulful performances and a memorable and zany script.
"Get Smart" follows the notoriously clumsy Maxwell Smart (Carell) and Agent 99 (Hathaway). The duo team up to stop the evil geniuses at KAOS from destroying the free world.
GET SMART
Grade: B+Verdict: Anne Hathaway + Steve Carell = Smart Casting
After headquarters at U.S. Spy Agency Control are attacked, every agent's identity is compromised, forcing the Chief of CONTROL (Alan Arkin) to promote Smart from analyst to agent.
The movie is brilliantly simplistic. The plot is straightforward, lending light to other more important aspects that make the movie more than just another summer action comedy.
Carell's performance is key in producing the kind of human element that leaves an impression on audience. Hathaway also gives a stunning performance. Far from her days in "The Princess Diaries," Hathaway exudes vibrancy, depth and, of course, stunning beauty.
The movie itself offers an enjoyable mix between slapstick and subtle humor similar to that in "The 40-Year-Old Virgin."
The action, however, is not much to get excited about. The movie has enough special effects to please, but the plot line is so simple it lacks any unpredictable twists.
This simplicity maintains the most appealing elements of the film - soulful performances and a memorable and zany script.
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