Shadows on the Wall

I Spy

R E V I E W B Y R I C H C L I N E

Taking the title and basic premise from the TV series (and nothing else), this is actually just a big budget action comedy cum spy caper movie. It's done in that goofy over-the-top style director Thomas has become known for. The story is pure drivel: Alex (Wilson) is a top spy who feels seriously inadequate since attention-seeking spy Carlos (Cole) steals all the headlines and gets the best gadgets. Then Alex is hired to find a top secret plane stolen by an arms dealer (McDowell) who's in Budapest trying to auction it to the highest bidder. But Alex needs a way into the dealer's lair, and is forced to work with boxing champion Kelly Robinson (Murphy). But Kelly's irreverence and arrogance is threatening the mission ... as is Alex's lust for a fellow agent (Janssen).

This is one of those films absolutely jammed with hilarious dialog as well as massive special effects action sequences. It's like XXX with a sense of humour as it rockets through the storyline with outlandish stunts, big explosions and zany gadgetry. Curiously, several of the set pieces are virtually identical to other action movies this year (The Transporter, Die Another Day, XXX)--a coincidence, not a spoof, although it does make the action feel strangely familiar. Murphy and Wilson are on peak comic form, lashing each other with witty banter from start to finish and keeping us laughing along the way. The script is tight and convoluted, making no real sense if you think about it, but circling back on itself neatly--no loose end goes untied, no gag is left without a punchline. Basically it's just a big, loud, funny, mindless movie that whiles away 96 minutes in the blink of an eye. Nothing terribly clever or original, and you'll have completely forgotten it 96 minutes later.

themes, language, violence, innuendo 21.Nov.02

dir Betty Thomas
scr Cormac Wibberley, Marianne Wibberley, Jay Scherick, David Ronn
with Eddie Murphy, Owen Wilson, Famke Janssen, Malcolm McDowell, Gary Cole, Viv Leacock, Phill Lewis, Keith Dallas Tate Taylor, Linda Boyd, Bill Monday, Darren Shahlavi
release US 1.Nov.02; UK 24.Jan.03
Columbia
02/US 1h36

The boxer and the spy. Can Kelly and Alex save the world without driving each other crazy? (Murphy and Wilson)

R E A D E R R E V I E W S

"Another silly movie - it made me think more of a comic routine act than a movie. This whole thing could be done on stage - two funny guys bouncing insults and one-liners off each other - without the expense of making a whole movie. That being said, it was funny, silly and good for some laughs. It has not done that great at the box offices, I have noticed, but I would definitely recommend either renting it, or watching it on cable. I think most people will laugh at this movie, but it will not go down as one of the great ones - and it probably was not made with that intention." --Laurie T, Minneapolis 12.Nov.02