Way back in 1965 a television series appeared on sets all across the nation that spoofed the spy film. Mel Brooks and Buck Henry teamed up to bring the exploits of Agent 86, aka Maxwell Smart (perfectly portrayed by Don Adams), to the small screen. The show was a success and went on for five seasons. In the mid 1990's an attempt to bring the show back, again with Don Adams in the title role, was attempted but only lasted a few episodes before being cancelled. Now we have the big screen version, a film that has had a few fits and starts over the past decade before cameras finally rolled in 2007. Originally, the project was prepping in 1998 with Jim Carrey attached to play the lead. I am thankful that version never came to fruition, as I cannot see anyone but Steve Carell in the lead.

When the first trailers appeared for Get Smart, I must admit that I had hopes for it. Regardless of the story and my lack of experience with the original television series, the casting looked perfect. Right at the top of the casting pyramid is Carell, who looks, sounds, and acts the part. One of the funnier aspects of his performance is how much it resembles his Michael Scott character on The Office. Rather than being a knock on his performance here, I believe it is a bit more eye opening towards the influences on the Scott character. Either way, there is no one better suited to play the bumbling yet confident wannabe spy.

Back to those initial impressions, while I liked the original trailer, subsequent trailers felt weaker all around and did not help foster those hopeful feelings. I began to get the feeling that this was going to turn into another I, Spy, a movie that is an all right watch on cable, but as a theatrical film is considerably less so. I went in hoping, guardedly, for the best.

At it pertains to plot, Get Smart does not have much of one. On one side you have CONTROL, a super secret spy organization that rivals the CIA; on the other side is KAOS, the Russian equivalent. The story involves KAOS chief Siegfried (a cold and calculating Terrance Stamp) and his plot to destroy the Disney Concert Hall in Los Angeles, where the president is taking in a special live performance. This comes after KAOS learns who all of CONTROL's field agents are and take them out. You know, get rid of the competition makes achieving the primary goal all the simpler.