JOIN USSpy
English (A), Director: Paul Feig
Cast: Melissa McCarthy, Rose Byrne, Jude Law, Jason Statham, Nargis Fakhri
Spy films and their spoofs have loyal fan followings across the world. Separate, but loyal. It is a rare occurrence that the twain meet in film theatres, but when they do, the film is either really good or so abysmally bad that it’s good lampoon fodder.
“Spy”, thankfully, is one of the former — a unique blend of good brains and campy in brawn that keeps you entertained and intrigued in equal parts.
Primarily, however, the film is a showcase for the talent of Melissa McCarthy, whose comic timing is beautifully complemented by the sometimes-bumbling-sometimes-awesome CIA agent Susan Cooper, and the odd mix of characters that she faces while racing to locate and secure a mobile nuclear device.
On for the ride are agents Bradley Fine (an overly James Bond-ish Jude Law) and Rick Ford (Jason Statham at his comic, clueless best), crime empire heiress spoilt-brat Rayna (a deliciously droll Rose Byrne) and a host of other people across a gamut of scenic locales.
However, most of the action takes place with the people, and it’s hilarious! From the irreverent jibes at serious spy thrillers to really gross visual and implied situations and jokes, “Spy” manages to keep a smile on the audience’s face, while keeping their brows furrowed with a good dose of chases, action and sense of “whodunnit”.
Then again, it is this attempt by “Spy” to be a real espionage thriller that lets it down. A lot of the motives and actions of quite a few people are never too clearly explained, and a lot of the characters seem underdeveloped or shoehorned in to plug some hole in the story. And that includes duck-face villainous sidekick Lia (Nargis Fakhri).
Nevertheless, it ends up being more than a halfway decent ride, thanks largely to the key players, and mostly to McCarthy and Byrne.
It’s no chick flick, but “Spy” is worth a watch with your friends!