Now, I don't know about anyone else but I actually remember watching this TV show. Not when it originally aired in the 60s, mind you, despite what the Wife says about my age.
Not that I remember it that much. All I really remember is the title sequence. And that it's about a bumbling secret agent fighting villainous criminal organisations.
Does this make it an ideal series to reinterpret for the big screen? Yes and No. No, because it' not that well remembered outside of the US so there's no in-built audience. Yes, because of the fact it's not that well remembered you can take some liberties without the fan base going crazy.
So, we have Steve Carell as Maxell Smart, an analyst who dreams of becoming a full agent for CONTROL. Let's hope that CONTROL's nemesis, KAOS, isn't hatching a plot to expose the identities of all the CONTROL agents so they can hold the US government to ransom and the only way the plan can be foiled is if newly promoted Agents are sent out into the field.
Oh, wait.
To be honest, I should have been more worried about seeing this film. The last big budget Steve Carell comedy died very publicly on it's ass. But he has a very engaging screen presence that makes you laugh and can carry the comedic and emotional burden of the film.
It's not great. The plot is a little scatter shot but you can't get too picky because it is very enjoyable. You get some great little character comedy, especially with Alan Arkin as the Chief of CONTROL. It also works in that they don't make Maxwell Smart a complete incompetent. He's an idiot, like most of us are, but it's not ridiculously over the top. Anne Hathaway as Agent 99 doesn't let the side down and The Rock needs to be cast in a decent film soon as he has great comedic potential.
Is it better than the original TV show? That's not the point. The film can pretty much stand on it's own two feet and whilst it's not breaking any boundaries, it's a good piece of fun.
In a word? Hoot.
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