Get Smart doesn't need to....

The reviews have not been great for the new rendition of Get Smart - with Steve Carrell and Ann Hathaway. For example, Newsweek said the filmmakers were "clueless." The Seattle Times said that the film misses the things that made the original series with Don Adams and Barbara Feldon. Others have commented that Hathaway is too young for Carrell and there is no "chemistry." Ken Turan of the LA times said "you'd think being funny would be its main goal. But you would be wrong. Very, very wrong." Well they are the ones who have i wrong. The movie is well worth seeing.

If you want to see Don Adams, find the original series on video. But if you want to see a light, very funny movie based in some measure on the original series and one where the characters work quite well together - see Get Smart. Anytime a filmmaker does a reprise of a former series or movie there is a risk of becoming the original only lighter. Carrell clearly understands what Don Adams did as Agent 86 - but he does not try to copy or parody it. He brings his own style to the role. As to Hathaway, she is no Barbara Feldon - but the chemistry between the two is as good as the original. They play off each other quite well.

So what is not to like about the movie? IMHO, nothing. It is fun. It is light hearted. The plot has a good mix of witty dialogue, funny bits and even a great performance by Alan Arkin. It catches all of the inventiveness of the original series without trying to copy either another pair of actors nor another time.