Spy (B) Movie Review
Spy stars Melissa McCarthy as Susan Cooper, an FBI "agent" who really just does desk work. But when the opportunity arises to become a full-fledged spy, Cooper finds herself wanting some adventure in her life and takes the opportunity. Hilarious hijinks ensue.
Director Paul Feig, who audiences may know as the man behind Bridesmaids and The Heat, proves to be a really capable action director. Who knew? Apparently he's been saying he'd like to direct a Bond film but no one has taken him seriously. I know I'd be okay with letting him direct one after seeing this because the action, set pieces, and the international romp is all very engrossing and stylish.
For fans of McCarthy's work, there's a lot to love here. For people that aren't fans of McCarthy's foul-mouthed, insult-driven brand of humor, there's also a lot to like here. For a good chunk of the film, she's a different kind of funny than we've seen her before. More understated, less profane. It's a charming character that she cooks up and shows her versatility. She's also a master of timing.
Spy also exercises a tremendous ensemble of funny people, similar to how Trainwreck did. Rose Byrne and Jason Statham are two very funny people apparently. Miranda Hart and Peter Serafinowicz are also hilarious, Hart playing Cooper's doofy best friend and Serafinowicz playing a sex maniac(?) who's very into Susan Cooper. And then we have Allison Janney (who plays a role similar to that of Tilda Swinton in Trainwreck) and Jude Law, who's less funny than the rest but plays someone you love to hate quite well.
One of my problems with the film, though, is that about halfway through Spy, Melissa McCarthy's character takes a bit of a jarring turn that I never thought the film entirely recovered from. I think this, along with the second half's plot being more convoluted, definitely build the argument that the first half of the film is far better. It's still exceedingly entertaining but Spy takes a few too many wrong turns later on in its run time.
But what Spy ultimately manages to do is very interesting. It's exciting as both a spy film and a comedy film. It's also a pretty sleekly shot and looking film with only a couple shots of noticeable green screen. It borrows the basic contrived story element of the loser proving everyone wrong but it's undeniably satisfying here. And despite losing a fair amount of its steam in the second half, Spy is a very fun time.
FINAL GRADE: B
MPAA RATING: R for language throughout, violence, and some sexual content including brief graphic nudity
Director Paul Feig, who audiences may know as the man behind Bridesmaids and The Heat, proves to be a really capable action director. Who knew? Apparently he's been saying he'd like to direct a Bond film but no one has taken him seriously. I know I'd be okay with letting him direct one after seeing this because the action, set pieces, and the international romp is all very engrossing and stylish.
For fans of McCarthy's work, there's a lot to love here. For people that aren't fans of McCarthy's foul-mouthed, insult-driven brand of humor, there's also a lot to like here. For a good chunk of the film, she's a different kind of funny than we've seen her before. More understated, less profane. It's a charming character that she cooks up and shows her versatility. She's also a master of timing.
Spy also exercises a tremendous ensemble of funny people, similar to how Trainwreck did. Rose Byrne and Jason Statham are two very funny people apparently. Miranda Hart and Peter Serafinowicz are also hilarious, Hart playing Cooper's doofy best friend and Serafinowicz playing a sex maniac(?) who's very into Susan Cooper. And then we have Allison Janney (who plays a role similar to that of Tilda Swinton in Trainwreck) and Jude Law, who's less funny than the rest but plays someone you love to hate quite well.
One of my problems with the film, though, is that about halfway through Spy, Melissa McCarthy's character takes a bit of a jarring turn that I never thought the film entirely recovered from. I think this, along with the second half's plot being more convoluted, definitely build the argument that the first half of the film is far better. It's still exceedingly entertaining but Spy takes a few too many wrong turns later on in its run time.
But what Spy ultimately manages to do is very interesting. It's exciting as both a spy film and a comedy film. It's also a pretty sleekly shot and looking film with only a couple shots of noticeable green screen. It borrows the basic contrived story element of the loser proving everyone wrong but it's undeniably satisfying here. And despite losing a fair amount of its steam in the second half, Spy is a very fun time.
FINAL GRADE: B
MPAA RATING: R for language throughout, violence, and some sexual content including brief graphic nudity