Get Smart

40-Year-Old Virgin star Steve Carell steps into the telephonic shoes of television's most beloved bumbling detective in this big-screen adaptation of the hit 1960s-era comedy series created by Mel Brooks. The evil geniuses at KAOS have hatched a diabolical plot to dominate every living man, woman, ...more

Too many classic television shows have fallen victim to colorless film adaptations. Think back to The Mod Squad, Bewitched, and The Avengers for proof. Er, on second thought, maybe that’s not such a good idea. Having your hallowed small screen favorites stripped of their luster, transformed into soulless interpretations of the originals, can often prove painful for perennial couch dwellers. Get Smart fans, however, should be adequately satisfied with director Peter Segal’s take of Mel Brooks and ...more

This big-screen version of Get Smart succeeds because, unlike the main character, newly minted field spy Maxwell Smart (Steve Carell), every person who worked on the movie performed their job competently. This is not minor praise. Director Peter Segal makes both the comedy and the action pop with energy. He knows when to cut to a joke, and when to trust his actors to get the point home with their interactions. He's as comfortable staging a humorous ballroom dance competition as he is ...more