Get Smart

We saw Get Smart last night and I thought it was great.  Sometimes old t.v. gets made into good movies, and other times, well… not so much.  I hope, for instance, that the Incredible Hulk is a big improvement over the Hulk movie made a few years ago.  They got a new actor, a new director, and tried to rethink the concept.  Everything I’ve heard has been good.  When the Brady Bunch updated in the 90’s, they left the family stuck in the 70’s and brought the setting up to modern day.  It was funny, but in the original series the Brady family was perfectly normal; chronologically speaking anyway.  I think they did a good job with Get Smart.

Steve Correll is hilarious.  He makes deadpan funny, and not just everyone can do that.  (If you haven’t seen Evan Almighty, give it a chance.  I didn’t think I would like it either, but it’s great.)    I didn’t care much for Matthew Broderick as Inspector Gadget, but Correll nailed Maxwell Smart to a T.  Don Adams would be proud.  Anne Hathaway plays agent 99, and if you don’t know who she is, go educate yourself.  She was in the Princess Diaries and The Devil Wears Proda.  If anything, Correll’s Smart is a little too smart.  He really knows his stuff in this movie, and has just been moved up to field agent.  At the beginning of the film, he’s an annalist.  With no field experience though, he is bumbling, and hilarity ensues. 

There are a couple of send-ups to the original series, notably the Control museum tour at the beginning.  I don’t want to spoil it, but watch for the shoe phone to make an appearance.  The movie does deliver some action toward the end, so it’s not just nerd jokes and 3’s Company style sitcom humor.  The movie is mostly clean, perfectly cast, and plays out very well.  This might be one I buy on DVD.  I wouldn’t mind a sequel in a year or two, either. 

Indiana Jones update

It may not be as good as some of the early ones, but I’m really digging the nostaligia factor.  The movie made $101 million dollars opening weekend, and is expected to make another $25 mill. on Memorial Day.  This will make it the #2 Memorial Day weekend open right behind Pirates of the Carribean, World’s End.  I’m looking forward to a 4 disc box set by Christmas.

Indiana Jones, Kingdom of the Crystal Skull

I thought it was great.  I disagree with whatever MSN or AOL review I saw today that described it as workable, but nothing terrific.  I enjoyed Rocky Balboa last year (or was it 2 years ago).  That film was better than Rocky 5, possibly 4.  I feel a little like I’m stuck in the 80’s again.

There were inside jokes in Indiana Jones for longtime fans, and plenty of fast paced action suited to modern younger audiences as well.  Remember in Last Crusade when they’re under the streets and Indy sees the pictograph of the Ark of the Covenant?  If you’re paying attention, the Ark has a cameo appearance in this film as well.  Yes, stock conventions like his cracking his whip, losing his fedora, fear of snacks etc. are all present, but it is not just a rehash of past films that worked well.  This is a continuation of the Indiana Jones story, that also stands alone as it’s own film.  It is not necessary to see the first 3 movies to appreciate this one, but it does make it better to have done so.  The Mary character returns from the original, and Shia LaBeouf has a large supporting role (think Transformers and Holes).   This movie is able to bridge the generation gap, and provide something for everyone.  Jokes about Harrison Ford’s age were made when the Last Crusade came out, but trust me he still has it.  Forget the critics if they don’t like it, and go see the movie ’cause it makes you feel good.  If you like action/explosions/car chases, this movie has you covered.  If you like to make your brain work just a little, you’ll still be stimulated I promise. 

Looking forward to: Get Smart, the Steve Correl update of the 60’s t.v. series, and also Hancock, a Will Smith picture about a reluctant superhero.  Think Superman with a pissy attitude.