Spy
Released: 2015
Director: Paul Feig
Cast: Melissa McCarthy, Jude Law, Miranda Hart, Jason Statham, Rose Byrne.
Blend in. Don't have dreams. Keep your head down and get on with it. That is what Susan Cooper (Melissa McCarthy) was taught by her mother. To stay quiet and not speak up or stand out. This is exactly what what she has done since joining the CIA 10 years ago. Despite being a qualified agent Cooper has spent 10 years at a desk directing self assured Bradley Fine (Jude Law), with whom she believes she is deeply in love with. This changes when Fine is killed (thankfully taking his horrendous 'Fineisms' with him) and Cooper volunteers to go into the field where she goes all kinds of rogue.
Spy follows Cooper (or whatever bizarre identity she has at the time) as she gradually pushes her way deeper and deeper into the world of arms dealing in order to prevent a global disaster as organised by Rayna Boyanov (Rose Byrne). Directing her (or trying to) is fellow agent Nancy B. Artingstall (Miranda Hart) and unwittingly hindering her is intense field agent Rick Ford (Jason Statham).
As can be expected from the director of Bridesmaids and The Heat the humour comes from inventive swearing, creative insults and body parts. The character of Cooper is very similar to McCarthy's characters in The Heat and Bridesmaids, especially when she goes rogue. With better clothing, hair and make up.
In terms of plot it is standard for a spy spoof film. Foil the baddies and save the world from destruction with a couple of fairly predictable twists along the way. The film is fairly 2D but there are some hints at depth. There is a faint undertone of believing in yourself and standing up and speaking out for yourself, but this does get lost in the genitalia and cursing.
Spy is a funny film, you will laugh. That is certain. McCarthy delivers the lines in her distinct dead pan, ad-lib way that you will find difficult not to guffaw at. Especially the elaborate insults. Whilst Miranda Hart has comedic value as Artingstall she does feel out of place. It is difficult to believe or understand why she is there. She essentially plays the same character from the Miranda TV series which doesn't entwine with the rest of the film. She and McCarthy do bounce of each other well, but Miranda seems to have been dropped into the film with no real thought as to why.
Jude Law plays the smarmy and infuriating Bradley Fine to a mediocre standard. He fitted the character well, but there was almost an overplaying of the 'smarm' which did get a little cringe worthy at times (those damned 'Fineisms').
The pleasant surprise in this film is Jason Statham. The film plays on his reputation as an action man that has done every stunt going in films such as the Transporter franchise. His character, Rick Ford, is an intense 'been there done that twice as hard and for twice as long' field agent. He is always giving ludicrous examples of all of the dangerous and startling stunts he has been part of during his CIA work. Unfortunately, as the film shows, he is all mouth and no bite. Statham displays some of the comedic talent evident in Lock, Stock that has been lost in all of the action of recent years.
Spy is not the best comedy film. It is not the best spy spoof film. It is not the best Paul Faig film. It is, however, an easy and enjoyable watch if you take it for what it is, and avoid trying to work out why Miranda Hart is in it.
Released: 2015
Director: Paul Feig
Cast: Melissa McCarthy, Jude Law, Miranda Hart, Jason Statham, Rose Byrne.
Blend in. Don't have dreams. Keep your head down and get on with it. That is what Susan Cooper (Melissa McCarthy) was taught by her mother. To stay quiet and not speak up or stand out. This is exactly what what she has done since joining the CIA 10 years ago. Despite being a qualified agent Cooper has spent 10 years at a desk directing self assured Bradley Fine (Jude Law), with whom she believes she is deeply in love with. This changes when Fine is killed (thankfully taking his horrendous 'Fineisms' with him) and Cooper volunteers to go into the field where she goes all kinds of rogue.
Spy follows Cooper (or whatever bizarre identity she has at the time) as she gradually pushes her way deeper and deeper into the world of arms dealing in order to prevent a global disaster as organised by Rayna Boyanov (Rose Byrne). Directing her (or trying to) is fellow agent Nancy B. Artingstall (Miranda Hart) and unwittingly hindering her is intense field agent Rick Ford (Jason Statham).
As can be expected from the director of Bridesmaids and The Heat the humour comes from inventive swearing, creative insults and body parts. The character of Cooper is very similar to McCarthy's characters in The Heat and Bridesmaids, especially when she goes rogue. With better clothing, hair and make up.
In terms of plot it is standard for a spy spoof film. Foil the baddies and save the world from destruction with a couple of fairly predictable twists along the way. The film is fairly 2D but there are some hints at depth. There is a faint undertone of believing in yourself and standing up and speaking out for yourself, but this does get lost in the genitalia and cursing.
Spy is a funny film, you will laugh. That is certain. McCarthy delivers the lines in her distinct dead pan, ad-lib way that you will find difficult not to guffaw at. Especially the elaborate insults. Whilst Miranda Hart has comedic value as Artingstall she does feel out of place. It is difficult to believe or understand why she is there. She essentially plays the same character from the Miranda TV series which doesn't entwine with the rest of the film. She and McCarthy do bounce of each other well, but Miranda seems to have been dropped into the film with no real thought as to why.
Jude Law plays the smarmy and infuriating Bradley Fine to a mediocre standard. He fitted the character well, but there was almost an overplaying of the 'smarm' which did get a little cringe worthy at times (those damned 'Fineisms').
The pleasant surprise in this film is Jason Statham. The film plays on his reputation as an action man that has done every stunt going in films such as the Transporter franchise. His character, Rick Ford, is an intense 'been there done that twice as hard and for twice as long' field agent. He is always giving ludicrous examples of all of the dangerous and startling stunts he has been part of during his CIA work. Unfortunately, as the film shows, he is all mouth and no bite. Statham displays some of the comedic talent evident in Lock, Stock that has been lost in all of the action of recent years.
Spy is not the best comedy film. It is not the best spy spoof film. It is not the best Paul Faig film. It is, however, an easy and enjoyable watch if you take it for what it is, and avoid trying to work out why Miranda Hart is in it.