*** Official GET SMART Discussion Thread

#1

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6/15/08 at 10:12am

Edwin-S
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Was Hymie in it?

When you have to shoot...shoot. Don't talk!

#2

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6/15/08 at 1:32pm

Stephen Orr
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Re: Get Smart - A Quick Review

The "hardened" agent I refer to. He's mentioned as a project, then shows up at the end.

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#3

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6/15/08 at 3:46pm

Edwin-S
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Re: Get Smart - A Quick Review

Thanks. I've seen the trailer, but I'm still undecided as to whether I will take this one in. The last attempt at a big screen GET SMART story, THE NUDE BOMB, was so bad that I think it scarred me for life when it came to GET SMART adaptations.

I get a little leery about this version when you mention that Maxwell Smart is competent, although accident prone. The Maxwell Smart I remember was more along the lines of a Clouseau, except Smart was even dumber.

When you have to shoot...shoot. Don't talk!

#4

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6/15/08 at 7:31pm

Stephen Orr
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Re: Get Smart - A Quick Review

This Smart is not dumb, just eager. We thought it worked.

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#5

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6/16/08 at 2:52am

Robert Crawford
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This thread is now designated the Official Discussion Thread for "Get Smart". Please, post all comments, links to outside reviews, film and box office discussion items to this thread.

All HTF member film reviews of "Get Smart" should be posted to the Official Review Thread.

Thank you for your consideration in this matter.

Crawdaddy

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#6

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6/21/08 at 2:55pm

Nelson Au
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Re: *** Official GET SMART Review Thread

This is interesting, because I was begining to wonder if the people who are fans of Get Smart and know the show and the characters and their nuances, that they may hate this film. And the people who are less familiar with GS might like the film.

I am a big fan of Get Smart and I know the show pretty well. I have not seen the new film yet, but it appeared to me from trailers that Carell plays him like Inspector Clouseau, a bumbling idiot who didn't have a clue. (And I like the Peter Sellers character, but they're different) The Maxwell Smart I know was earnest and knew his stuff and while sometimes appeared stupid, he always came through. Hathaway's 99, and I am only repeating things I read, appears to be a super tough girl-power type who had no issues to beating up Max and putting him down. While Feldon's 99 was always there for her man and would secretly help him foil Kaos.

Well, I may see this film just out of curiousity, but I have no expectations and I fear it will either paint a picture of Get Smart that newer viewers will not recognize if they went back and saw the original series on DVD, or it will be a mean spirited film that does not honor Adams or Feldon or Ed Platt and Bernie Kopel. But it appears that Mr. Crawford feels my fears are unfounded.

#7

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6/21/08 at 3:26pm

Robert Crawford
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Re: *** Official GET SMART Review Thread

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nelson Au

This is interesting, because I was begining to wonder if the people who are fans of Get Smart and know the show and the characters and their nuances, that they may hate this film. And the people who are less familiar with GS might like the film.

I am a big fan of Get Smart and I know the show pretty well. I have not seen the new film yet, but it appeared to me from trailers that Carell plays him like Inspector Clouseau, a bumbling idiot who didn't have a clue. (And I like the Peter Sellers character, but they're different) The Maxwell Smart I know was earnest and knew his stuff and while sometimes appeared stupid, he always came through. Hathaway's 99, and I am only repeating things I read, appears to be a super tough girl-power type who had no issues to beating up Max and putting him down. While Feldon's 99 was always there for her man and would secretly help him foil Kaos.

Well, I may see this film just out of curiousity, but I have no expectations and I fear it will either paint a picture of Get Smart that newer viewers will not recognize if they went back and saw the original series on DVD, or it will be a mean spirited film that does not honor Adams or Feldon or Ed Platt and Bernie Kopel. But it appears that Mr. Crawford feels my fears are unfounded.

This film is taking place more than 40 years after the series so there will be some differences as far as character development due to the times they're taking place and major social changes in todays society.

Also, during the final credits there is an on screen tribute to Adams, Platt and Kopel at the end of the film. Also, Brooks and Henry were noted as consultants to the film.

Crawdaddy

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#8

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6/21/08 at 3:50pm

Steve...O
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Re: *** Official GET SMART Review Thread

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nelson Au

,

Well, I may see this film just out of curiousity, but I have no expectations and I fear it will either paint a picture of Get Smart that newer viewers will not recognize if they went back and saw the original series on DVD, or it will be a mean spirited film that does not honor Adams or Feldon or Ed Platt and Bernie Kopel. But it appears that Mr. Crawford feels my fears are unfounded.

In my opinion, the film was not mean spirited. It just didn't work for me. Clearly it has worked for some others so I would say go see it and judge for yourself. The reviews have largely been positive so my dissenting opinion in in the minority. I fully recognize that I may be too "emotionally invested" in the Adams series to give any remake a fair shot.

Because this came 40 years later there are some scenes that are reflective of 2008 humor that are definitely not true to the original series. For example, one shot shows Max
Warning Spoiler! Click to show

in a sexually suggestive pose with a male agent

. I found this offensive and out of place for this film but that's just my taste in comedy.

Barbara Feldon's 99 was smart and effective but she also had a genuine fondness for Max and their interplay made the show work. The way the theatrical 99 was written made her not a very likable character for much of the movie (in my opinion). The way she goes from being Max's antagonist to his lover almost overnight didn't ring true with me.

Perhaps if there is a sequel to this film it will work better since all the backstory will have been taken place in this first film and the sequel can focus more on Max/99 as partners.

#9

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6/21/08 at 4:43pm

Zack Gibbs
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Re: *** Official GET SMART Discussion Thread

I haven't watched the show since I was young, and didn't really have a problem with them changing the characters some. But what's there just isn't interesting.

Nelson, you needn't fear that they've "Inspector Clouseau'd" Max, he's actually very competent in the film, and there's really no question that he's ultimately good at his job in a realistic way. The problem I had with Carell's Smart was that he was so reserved and lacks confidence. I don't expect Carell to do an Adams impersonation but Maxwell Smart should definitely have a strong and commanding presence. I know Carell could play that but that just wasn't what we got here. He's surprisingly calm and low key for the most part.

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#10

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6/21/08 at 6:26pm

Tino
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Re: *** Official GET SMART Discussion Thread

The Nude Bomb was better. Terribbly unfunny, imo.

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#11

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6/22/08 at 4:47am

Sam Favate
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Re: *** Official GET SMART Review Thread

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nelson Au

This is interesting, because I was begining to wonder if the people who are fans of Get Smart and know the show and the characters and their nuances, that they may hate this film. And the people who are less familiar with GS might like the film.

I am a big fan of Get Smart and I know the show pretty well. I have not seen the new film yet, but it appeared to me from trailers that Carell plays him like Inspector Clouseau, a bumbling idiot who didn't have a clue. (And I like the Peter Sellers character, but they're different) The Maxwell Smart I know was earnest and knew his stuff and while sometimes appeared stupid, he always came through. Hathaway's 99, and I am only repeating things I read, appears to be a super tough girl-power type who had no issues to beating up Max and putting him down. While Feldon's 99 was always there for her man and would secretly help him foil Kaos.

Nelson, I'm a huge fan of the original show, and I can say that the movie was really good. I know the original inside and out, and I was impressed by the movie - they did the original proud without copying it. Lots of tributes thrown in for those looking for them, or who will recognize them. IMO, it's lovingly made to honor the original, not just slap a brand name on a generic product (as is often the case with these TV-to-screen movies).

Carrel and Hathaway are very good in their roles; I would be glad to see them in a sequel. The only character they don't quite get right is Seigfried. But otherwise, thumbs up from this long-time fan.

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#12

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6/22/08 at 11:20pm

Adam Lenhardt
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Re: *** Official GET SMART Discussion Thread

Caught this at the drive-in last night. Color me impressed.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Edwin-S

Was Hymie in it?

Not only was he in it, he was played by Patrick Warburton!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nelson Au

This is interesting, because I was begining to wonder if the people who are fans of Get Smart and know the show and the characters and their nuances, that they may hate this film. And the people who are less familiar with GS might like the film.

I am a big fan of Get Smart and I know the show pretty well. I have not seen the new film yet, but it appeared to me from trailers that Carell plays him like Inspector Clouseau, a bumbling idiot who didn't have a clue. (And I like the Peter Sellers character, but they're different) The Maxwell Smart I know was earnest and knew his stuff and while sometimes appeared stupid, he always came through.

I wouldn't call him stupid in the movie, just really unlucky. For every major screw-up, there's a scene where he gets to show his stuff. To me, the film felt pretty much like the show only with the humor broken up by really massive, expensive set pieces. It was definitely the same sensibility.

There are questions to the timeline though, since it appears to take place in the same universe as the TV show, only years later. Thus, all of the props from the original show are on display as the relics of the "now-defunct" Cold War era CONTROL.

Quote:

Hathaway's 99, and I am only repeating things I read, appears to be a super tough girl-power type who had no issues to beating up Max and putting him down. While Feldon's 99 was always there for her man and would secretly help him foil Kaos.

She softens over the course of the movie. There is a key moment where Max's loyalty is in question, for instance, and she is the one who stands by him.

#13

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6/23/08 at 4:51am

Sam Favate
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Re: *** Official GET SMART Discussion Thread

Looks like the film did very well at the box office, with $39.2 million, way ahead of the Love Guru. Reports say this is the biggest opening ever for a Steve Carrell film. Lets hope the studio okays another one soon.

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#14

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6/23/08 at 8:17am

Nelson Au
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Re: *** Official GET SMART Discussion Thread

Thanks for all the comments and thoughts from those who saw this film and felt it was a successful update and modernized Get Smart film a true fan of Get Smart TOS could enjoy. That's good feedback for the film makers and the box office is one sign of that.

The critics were so down on it. I guess Steve Carell had enough fans to make the box office difference. I think about Speed Racer and how well I thought that was adapted for film and how the reviewers savaged that film that probably contributed to it's poor box office and the bad reviews of this film didn't hurt it's opening weekend.

#15

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6/25/08 at 7:02pm

Rhatphlegm
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Re: *** Official GET SMART Discussion Thread

I thought it was OK, but would have rather spent the money renting it. It did contain a lot of one liners from the original though. Brought back memories...

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#16

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7/12/08 at 11:37pm

ZacharyTait
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Re: *** Official GET SMART Discussion Thread

I'm surprised a certain member here hasn't chimed in with his words on the movie.

I've never seen an episode of the TV series so I didn't have any baggage going into the movie. One of the best TV show big screen adaptation I've seen.

Steve Carrell was pitch perfect as Maxwell Smart and Anne Hathaway was smoking hot at Agent 99. I think the scene where she evades the lasers while wearing that dress beats the similar scene with CZJ in Entrapment!

.

Alan Arkin and Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson are put to good use as well as Patrick Warburton and Bill Murray in unexpected cameos that pay off.

Terrific action sequences and while the SFX was obvious, I didn't mind.

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#17

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7/13/08 at 4:54pm

David Deeb
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Re: *** Official GET SMART Discussion Thread

I give the movie a C+.

It wasn't terrible, but it wasn't as funny as I had hoped. I agree with Zack Gibbs, in that the character plays better as a commanding presence and that Carell played him way too low-key.

I did like the fact that at least they tried something new, and what I really liked, is that they didn't resort to toilet humor, something that is in no short supply in most every other so called "comedy" these days. I respect the filmmakers for not going there.

#18

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7/13/08 at 6:00pm

SilverWook
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Re: *** Official GET SMART Discussion Thread

I was talking to someone who had already seen it, and it came out in the conversation that they didn't even know there was a tv series.

I suddenly felt really old.

#19

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7/14/08 at 8:17am

Gary Seven
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Re: *** Official GET SMART Discussion Thread

Saw it this passed weekend and as a big fan of the original, I liked this movie and felt they did a good job updating without copying. Interesting origin story that fits for the most part. LOTS of nods to the original that repeated viewings will reveal more and more to the seasoned TV show viewer.

The only problem I had with the movie was Ziegfried. Bernie Kopell, who has a cameo in the movie, made that part his own and the deadpan performance of Terrence Stamp made this character not funny at all. The delivery of the famous Ziegfried line "This is KAOS, we do not _____ here" was totally lost in the delivery. Fortunately, his presence in the movie is actually minimal so it does not ruin the movie by any means.

99 does indeed soften up through the course of the movie and we get to hear her mutter the famous 99 line "Oh Max", as well as the scream in time of peril of "MAAAAXXXX".

The trademark lines were there, though spoken with a less inflection than what Don would deliver.

All in all a fun movie.

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