I was really surprised by "Spy." I was surprised because it's billed as a comedy, and I actually laughed out loud, and there was laughter in the theater throughout the film. I can't remember the last time I went to see a new release comedy and that happened. The humor in "Spy" is surprisingly gentle and light hearted. That's surprising because the filmmakers apparently felt it was necessary to build a violent, obscene movie around jokes that a ten-year-old could enjoy while watching the movie with her grandmother.
I thought this movie was fantastic, it started solid with some really good jokes but once Susan (Melissa McCarthy)finds her confidence then so does the movie. The jokes come fast and mostly hit the target. The supporting cast were superb, especially Statham who sends up not just every character he has played since snatch but basically every bad ass macho man we have seen since the 80's.
Sure, the movie is festooned with F-Bombs, but they added to the hilarity. I literally laughed out loud for most of the movie and wasn't disappointed by a single scene. The casting, acting, direction and dialogue were bang on. Yes, it was vulgar but so what? Every Melissa McCarthy movie has quadruple entendres as subtle as an earthquake. Even her TV show, pushes the limits of what the censors will allow. . It's funny, poignant at times, and full of action. I cared about McCarthy's "Susan Cooper" character and wanted to see her complete her mission. The potty mouth comes out, but it comes out in service of the character and the plot as the story unfolds, not just as a cheap device to get some chuckles. In previous movies, McCarthy's characters seems to be rude, cantankerous and foul-mouthed to the core, but here I always felt "Susan Cooper" was in firm control of her emotions and brought out that side only when it was needed. McCarthy is also aided by a superb supporting cast, particularly Jason Statham as her hilariously over the top rival.
This may be a spoof of spy movies, but it can also be viewed simply as a spy movie that happens to have a female lead. Many of the same plot devices are used. But, as with any movie, what matters are the characters and whether or not we care about what happens to them. This movie basically ends with the lead and two other supporting characters walking off into the sunset. I wanted those three to return for a sequel because they were that funny and that good.
The performances were, almost, all good and although the characters were a little cartoony the film was aware of that so it made it OK. Melissa McCarthy, Jason Statham, Rose Byrne, they all did a good job and were pretty funny but man, Miranda Hart's character was just not good at all, her character was way too over the top and not funny at all, could have definitely done without her, in terms of comedy.
That being said, Spy is a comedy after all. So all it needed to do was to get us to laugh, and it did achieve its goal. You don't need to be concerned of McCarthy wackiness from Tammy. This was an ensemble effort where the movie depended on everyone in the cast to deliver the jokes. Spy is a surprisingly entertaining film that will hit you on the funny bone.
7.5/10·IMDb
95%·Rotten Tomatoes
75%·Metacritic
8/10 - verdict
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