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Pop Culture Reviews - movies, books and anything else that is modern culture
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| | Mon Jun 23, 2008 11:31 am |
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 | Comments: 0 Views: 0 |
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The original Get Smart television show was a light and fun fictional look at the world of secret agents during the Cold War. Slightly less ridiculous, or sophisticated than the contemporary “Avengers” and slightly more serious than Gilligan's Island, “Get Smart” was a light spy comedy with frequent Eastern European opponents to contend with. Don Adams formed the role to himself in a way that makes only someone very similar to him able to reprise the role.
Steve Carell actually makes a better Maxwell Smart than Don Adams. And he does it by being more likable, and the writers justified this by playing to Steve Carell's strong points. Early in the movie we learn that Maxwell has not yet attained the status of Field Agent, yet he comes across as a serious analyst who really wants to be an Agent. The movie includes many of the television shows side characters and they are cast well.
The movie centers around Maxwell becoming an agent and his getting used to his new partner Agent 099. They have their expected European adventures but the movie does not wander too much into nostalgia.
The movie works mainly because it is not too serious, does not attempt to be something it is not and the actors work. The story flows well and does not get bogged down in anything too much, or too funny. Steve Carell plays the role seriously but not annoyingly. He is likable and even Agent 099 grows on you, even for those who do not place Anne Hathaway at the top of their list. It is a simple, fun movie that lets you relax and you will probably avoid looking at your watch.
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