by Gaynell Parker

Created on: June 26, 2008

It was with mixed feelings that we went to watch Get Smart. We'd seen other movie versions of TV shows we'd watched as kids, and most of them came up wanting seriously. (Dare we even mention Starsky and Hutch? UGH) Not only that, but with the idiotic version of Pink Panther (despite Steve Martin being the best choice, not even HE could salvage that thing) we were worried that they had tried to do the same with this remake.

Not to worry! Yes, there is plenty of Steve Carell doing his slapstick stuff, being so stupid you think no one could be more embarrassed, but he does an excellent job. Everyone will recognize the main actors as well, especially Anne Hathaway as the gorgeous and able Agent 99, Dwayne (the Rock) Johnson as hunky Agent 23, Alan Arkin, James Cahn, and a whole lot more.

They played it pretty much as the TV show, with slapstick comedy along with well delivered lines. Anne Hathaway did an excellent job you almost forget to like her at the beginning. (That is, if you're a fan...) The Rock came across as the always admired tough guy that everyone's glad get's toasted in the end his character's such a jerk. But Steve Carell pulled it the show together and kept his character in line.

Totally believable as the analyst struggling to be an agent, writing heinously large reports that no one ever read, you are rooting for him from the first moment. While I think the bit about him having lost over 150 pounds was a stretch, it was interesting to see how they played that out in the movie especially when he dances with the large woman at the party. Very nice!

What's even funnier, is how great a shot he is. I love the whole paint gun scene with The Rock and him though it's hard to see their interaction before the end. Makes you wonder if Dwayne Johnson has the capability for serious contemplation. I don't think I've seen any of his serious roles (did he have one?).

Anyway, we thought the door thing was a hoot, from beginning to end. My husband was waiting to see how they would do that, knowing how it always got Max at the end and he wasn't disappointed.

The presidential part and the Secret Service guys were all weak, but not surprising for a comic movie. Having Bill Murray in a tree was funny too, and it made us wonder what's up with him, why he seems to be doing a lot of bit parts right now. We miss him.

The bad guy is always the perfect choice Terrence Stamp. He seems to have the perfect face to portray disdain and haughtiness, and that scathing voice is enough to make everyone want to shove him out of the car. Although I have to say, Ode to Joy is my favorite piece of music, and it was fun to hear it during the movie. (Loved it in the Money Pit too.)

We loved the whole interaction with the big guy, Dalip Singh "Big people have feelings too." While it felt like a reprisal of Night at the Museum and Ghengis Khan, it worked, and wasn't too corny. Especially how the character reacts at the end we were all glad he dumped the guy in the water.

This is a movie that all ages will appreciate. There wasn't any in your face' sexuality, her clothes stay on and the language is clean. It's one you won't be embarrassed to have your children watch, and they'll find all the different situations funny too because it's typical stuff, all of us have felt the same way at one time or another.

It's great you need to go see it, especially if you need a good laugh!

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