Quartile rating: 6/10 · 1 rating
When members of the nefarious crime syndicate KAOS attack the U.S. spy agency Control and the identities of secret agents are compromised, the Chief has to promote hapless but eager analyst Maxwell Smart to field agent. He is partnered with veteran and capable Agent 99, the only spy whose cover remains intact. Can they work together to thwart the evil world-domination plans of KAOS and its crafty operative?
Get Smart is a competent but unremarkable adaptation of the classic TV series. The plot follows a predictable spy-comedy formula with few surprises, and the action-comedy set pieces are serviceable but rarely inspired. Steve Carell and Anne Hathaway bring charm and decent chemistry, elevating the material somewhat, while Alan Arkin adds reliable comic support. The cinematography is workmanlike blockbuster fare with nothing distinctive. As an adaptation of a 1960s TV property, it offers little that feels genuinely fresh — it recycles the bumbling-spy-saves-the-day template without adding a memorable twist. The ending resolves neatly but without particular impact or wit. Overall a passable crowd-pleaser that underperforms its source material's comedic potential.