(Movie review) Be Smart — Don’t See "Get Smart" 1 star/4

Pajamas Media ^ | June 20, 2008 | Kyle Smith

[Centurion2000]

At least Agent 99 is hotter. that’s about the only thing I can say for this film.

[Kleon]

Iron Man - surprisingly well done

Maybe so, but I refuse to support the career of Robert Downey Jr, the liberal drug addict.

[WoofDog123]

Hollywood butchers remakes/revivals of old shows into movies. I can only conclude their focus groups come up a few % better when they use ‘new-humor,’ which assumes viewers cannot figure out things for themselves and is a good bit more denigrating.

Why does anyone even bother seeing these remakes? I would never even consider it. They consistently refuse to follow the working old formula.

[mnehring]

He is politically reformed. “I have a really interesting political point of view, and it's not always something I say too loud at dinner tables here, but you can't go from a $2,000-a-night suite at La Mirage to a penitentiary and really understand it and come out a liberal. You can't. I wouldn't wish that experience on anyone else, but it was very, very, very educational for me and has informed my proclivities and politics every since.”- Robert Downy Jr.

[Hildy]

We have two books my Dad wrote that have been optioned by big Hollywood Producers for years and years. GREAT stories. One is the story of the great Baseball showman, Bill Veeck. Anyone who knows his story, knows what a fantastic movie it would make. He's the guy who sent the midget up to bat! The other one is the Willie Sutton story...the legendary bank robber who broke out of every prison they put him in. Another great story. Both are actor's dream roles.

But still, the producers can't find financing. Every time I see movies like this I want to cry.

[Hildy]

My list of people that I have had enough of includes Mike meyers, Will Farrel, Jack Black

Can we please add Adam Sandler to this list? And while we're at it, throw in David Spade. I guess any male comedian who was every a cast member of Saturday Night Live.

[MEGoody]

The only movie he has been good in for the last 20 years was The Spanish Prisoner.

Have you ever seen him in "A Simple Twist of Fate"? I think that one is terrific.

[johnny7]

So I guess you were likely no fan of Lancelot Link

Quite the contrary... I always found chimps in clothes a hoot! I remember laughing(as a rug-rat) to “The Hathaways” as well. I love “stupid humor”.

But as I said, I found “Get Smart” to be vapid. Maybe because it was because I liked “I Spy” so much and found the “Get Smart” takeoff too cheesy.

[Liberty2007]

I actually liked National treasure 2, however the actions of the bad guy didnt make any sense. SMart, con Nick cage to do all the hard work, not so smart attempt to kill him after he gets one clue.

[wbill]

Yup, Myers, Ferrell, etc....none of them can carry a movie.

Jack Black is particularly annoying. Tries to be John Belushi and fails miserably.

Jury is still out on Steve Carrell. I thought the 40-year-old Virgin was one of the funnier movies I've seen in awhile (bar is set pretty low, though). The Chest-Waxing scene was fall-out-of-my-seat-funny, IMHO.

[Hildy]

I love Robert Downey, Jr. He went through a public and personal drama and came out with dignity on the other side. He's a recovered alcoholic and he not only talks it, he walks it. He knows he's lucky to be where he is and is grateful for the second chance life gave him. Last interview I read in Parade Magazine he said something like he used to only pick these strange, indie movies that were heady and, basically, ridiculous. Now, he wants to make some money FOR HIS FAMILY and make movies he's proud to show his children.

If I could find that article, I'll post excerpts, because it was great.

[xzins]

Oh.....now I remember.

I was trying to put catholic/george bush/maxwell smart into some kind of context and I couldn’t do it.

:>)

[Hildy]

Was Parenthood in those last 20 years? That was a great movie. But I agree about Martin. Something about him makes me believe he thinks he’s smarter than he really is.

[Hildy]

I still use the term "The Cone of Silence" when I'm trying to keep something on the "downlow."

[Holicheese]

I normally like Ed Harris (except for his loud mouth) but he changed his accent 3 or 4 times during the movie. I just hate Nicholas Cage. I think he had some horrible plastic surgery and he has big fake teeth like the scene in Something about Mary!

[Andonius_99]

Zohan was pretty funny, although I am sure most on FR would be offended from about minute two until the end.

Zohan is worth seeing if only for the Rocky theme song bit, LOL.

[Holicheese]

I forgot to add him. Adam Sandler movies (except for Happy Gilmore) are not allowed in my house.

[Holicheese]

I will check that one out.

[Holicheese]

Jack Black is the same character in every movie. I just can’t stand him.

[wbill]

Something about him makes me believe he thinks he’s smarter than he really is

I think that the overly arrogant facade is just a part of his schtick. Watching some of the recent give and take with some of his pals on SNL was enlightening.

Martin is a pretty good actor, IMHO. Most good stand-up comedians are...they have the timing "thing" down already and can read other people (like actors onstage) well enough to play off them. Robin Williams has done some interesting non-comedic roles. Tom Hanks got his start in stand-up and throwaway comedies, as did Val Kilmer.

Will Ferrell, Jack Black, etc are physical comedians...that's why they get old so fast, IMHO. Also it's why Belushi was as successful as he was - played bit roles in most of his movies so that people didn't get worn out on him.