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Some movies are just fun. They exist for no other purpose than to entertain us or because someone thought it would be fun
to make the movie. Not every movie has to make us rethink reality or change our views on the world or give us another perspective
on life. Why can't some movies just be fun? (you might now start arguing about how some movies that critics have panned have
been fun and can be put in this category, but most of those movies are bad, but that gets into a different discussion, and
that's not what I'm trying to focus on) Of course, there is the good movie/bad movie line to draw there, but this was a good
movie. Not great, but good, and a heck of a lot of fun. I have heard that people are complaining that it doesn't totally
honor the original series or whatever but I think that's a little unfair. You could have made a movie based off on one episode
or combining bits of many episodes (maybe this one did), but I think for a movie like this it's fine to just base it off of
the series using the basic ideas and characters and not completely remake an episode;after all, 'Casino Royale'; and 'Quantum
of Solace' do this with James Bond, to some extent: same ideas, same characters, but different stories (again, you can do
this well, and you can do this poorly; this film does it well). I haven't seen the TV show, nor had I heard of it or any
of its characters before I heard about this movie, so I can't compare and can't say either way if they do great homage or
if they copy or change too many things, etc. So from an outsider's perspective, I'd say it's good, and it's funny, and I
really liked it.
The best thing is the acting. Everyone, EVERYONE is perfectly cast in their role and has a blast doing it. Everyone
is very nearly pitch perfect. Steve Carrell is always a joy to watch ('The Office' is one of my favorite shows) and it's
nice to know that he's good no matter what character he's playing. He takes himself seriously, as I think the character and
role should, but not too seriously as to get annoying (and not a'la Nicholas Angel in 'Hot Fuzz', who takes himself so seriously
he ruins everyone's lives and people hate him). I though it was nice how most people actually like Max, including Agent 23
who (SPOILER) turns out to be bad. I don't believe he was faking, either; I think he really did like Max. Like Angel, Max
is so good at his job as to make everyone else look bad, but unlike Angel, people don't really mind, and he is appreciated
for his excellent work (even though he really wants to be in the field, not at a desk). 'The Rock' (excuse me, Duwayne Johnson)
is perfect as 23; who knew the wrestler guy could actually act? And he's good too. I also like Alan Arkin as the chief and
Anne Hathaway as 99. This is a pretty star studded cast, but thankfully no one feels out of place or unneeded (the two techies
are cool too; one of them is the 'Heroes' guy--I think his name's Hiro?--and he's awesome here; the other guy I can't place
but he's awesome too). The characters might be a little shallow and simple, but they don't need to be uber complex in a film
like this. They're good and likable characters anyways (even Mr. Easter Island). And as I said, everyone has fun here and
everyone acts their part so well that you can't help but like the characters. Hands down though, Mr. Carrell is the best
and the funniest. There's this natural quality to his acting in everything he does; he doesn't seem to be acting really.
And here he delivers each line with a dry wit a'la James Bond, without a smile or smirk no matter how funny the line may be.
He plays against Ms. Hathaway well; they're great foils for each other (the actors as well as the characters).
Some people complained that this movie is not as smart as it could be (maybe it needs to get smarter? haha) but 'Hot
Fuzz' this is not and was never going to be. Edgar Wright has this special touch that no other director has, and no comedy
is ever going to be as brilliant and smart and fun as the comedies he makes. But the director here isn't bad. It's classic
action film directing, and you couldn't ask for more than that. It's polished and not sloppy and kind of has this James Bond
feel to it (were they trying to emulate Bond? I can't say. Maybe the series was like this.). You don't really look for
or expect 'Brokeback Mountain' type directing here. Action films are generally made differently (in general, all films of
a certain genre are made differently than others in another genre, but again, this is not the time to discuss this). I don't
think the film was intended to be made like 'Fuzz&', but if it was, it fails, although you can't really tell, so it doesn't
matter if it was or not. The action sequences will not blow your mind away, but they are not cheap either. The stunts are
good, but not like 'Indiana Jones'. I don't think there was a whole lot of talent directing wise, editing wise, etc. in this
film, but I am willing to look past this. I didn't expect anything really amazing so I wasn't disappointed. I wanted a fun
and funny and entertaining film with good actors and and many laughs and I got it. So I am satisfied.
Speaking of funny, while this isn't 'Fuzz', there are still some really smart lines and some really good moments. The
script is well written (again, not 'Fuzz', but the writer(s) is talented and if they are emulating the wit of the original
show, they do a good job). There are plenty of smart, witty lines here (it's very quotable) although some of them go by rather
fast and you might miss them. A second viewing would suffice, and if you're like me, you won't mind a second viewing. Everything
feels natural and not forced and they don't try to rub the attempt at being funny in your face. It's not LOL-I-have-soda-coming-out-of-my-nose
funny, but it's still funny and will elicit quite a few laughs from you. It's good fun from beginning to end, and there are
no 'what the hell' moments (!! which is a miracle; this is one of only maybe five films at most that don't have a single
bad moment or a 'what the hell' moment. Brownie points!). To summarize, it's all good. :)
If you're a fan of the show, I don't know how you'll react to this film or how you'll receive it. But for newbies like
me, you'll probably enjoy this. It's almost a must for Steve Carrell fans because he's totally in his element here. The
acting is just too good and that is a really big plus. 'Fuzz' this is not, but it shouldn't matter. It doesn't matter to
me. It wants you to have fun and it succeeds. Unfortunately I think it's going to be widely forgotten (I don't think it
has many fans), which is a shame because it's a good, solid, fun, entertaining, smart film and like 'Pirates 3' deserves more
love than it's getting. You should put this on your Netflix cue. You'll like it.
Best moment: There are a lot of good ones: Agent 23 trying to look seductive and walking into a wall, the techies helping
Max escape headquarters, and the mad dash to the Disney Concert Hall (which really does look like that, by they way; it's
massive and silver and looks like a spaceship;in other words, kinda ugly).
Worst moment: There is not one single scene I will put here because there is not one single bad scene in the entire film.
How many other films can claim this?
Best quote: There are sooo many really great quotes. For instance: 'How do I know you're not form CONTROL?' 'If I were
from CONTROL you'd already be dead.' 'If you were from CONTROL you'd already be dead.' 'Neither of us is dead so I am clearly
not from CONTROL.' 'I think you underestimate my element of SURPRISE!!!! (throws corded phone)' (because corded phones
are very scary) 'This is KAOS. We don't "ka-frickin-boom" here.' 'Is that the chief?' 'Yes....' 'Awww,
chief, I'm sorry; sorry chief...' 'He can't hear you, Max (Max has knocked the chief unconcious after mistaking him for a
thug)'
Why you should see it: It's funny! The acting is very good and the casting is pitch perfect. There's nothing not to
like about it. Steve Carrell fans will be pleased.
Why you shouldnt: There isn't a reason, unless comedy/action films just aren't your thing or whatever. It's not quite
so witty and LOL as other films of the same genre/nature but it's still funny. And maybe you're a fan of the show and are
holding a grudge because they made a movie about it.
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