I feel a bit of a fraud, did a hit and run with my first review in ages, came back a month later and...
I feel a bit of a fraud, did a hit and run with my first review in ages, came back a month later and you've given me a diamond. I should get back into this, I've been so lazy recently your generous accolade could be just the encouragement I needed. Zx
Member since:04.07.2000
Reviews:89
Members who trust:79
Since the only review this film has so far received on ciao is less than complementary I feel duty bound to redress the balance.
Though not usually a fan of the tired mismatched buddy comedy formula I genuinely enjoyed this little gem.
The plot centres around Alex Scott (Owen Wilson) a rather bumbling secret agent. In order to recover a spy-plane being sold by an evil industrialist he has to team up with the arrogant and ridiculous world boxing champ Kelly Robinson (Eddie Murphy).
The plot isn't great but as a device to allow Murphy and Wilson to spark off each other it's perfectly satisfactory.
The real plus points of the film are the script and the two central performances from Wilson and Murphy. I have been fan of Owen Wilson since his great comic performance (and writing credit) in the Royal Tenenbaums. He gives a brilliant turn here as the wise cracking everyman. Coming across first as a bit of a hapless idiot it soon becomes clear that Alex has hidden depths. He is an intelligent and charming central character, who finally releases Wilson from his status as Ben Stiller's sidekick. My favourite Alex moment is when he uses his knowledge of Hungarian to get 'the black man' (Murphy) arrested.
Murphy is funny again!! Hard to believe after a seemingly endless period in the wilderness with clunkers like 'The Nutty Professor' and 'Pluto Nash' but Murphy has returned like a phoenix from the flames (a little reference to comic fans there in recognition of co-star Famke 'Jean Gray' Janssen). His constant referring to himself in the third person is one of cinema's great running gags. Murphy's enthusiasm for all things spy is also handled beautifully ending on a great gag about flying into Washington like a 'jelly bird' using special anti-gravity gel. Wilson's aside 'I'm going to need a couple of jars of jelly on the plane and two parachutes' is a great piece of comic delivery.
It's one of those films I find myself reciting the gags to my mates. They don't laugh, because the comedy is so wrapped up in Wilson and Murphy's comic skills.
I was so impressed by Wilson that I even watched 'Shanghai Noon' the next day. I had been put off this by the diabolical 'Rush Hour' as on paper it seemed to follow the same basic premise. The difference is where Chris Tucker is an irritating moron (see 'The fifth Element' for incontravertable proof of this) Wilson is an intellegent and extremely likeable comic actor.
The special effects are nicely done but it's the comic set-pieces that really spark.
Betty Thomas has given us a witty and entertaining film which allow the leads to shine and has a lot of fun sending up spy movies at the same time.
Robinson: Hey, what's this? It looks like a sock. Scott: It's a secret spy mask. (Kelly puts it on) Robinson: Hey man, this is a sock!
See this film yourself before making up your mind. As far as I'm concerned it's a highly sucessful comedy with a couple of outstanding central performances.
In the style of Mr. Robinson ... Zoe highly recommends this film.
How helpful would this review be to a person making a buying decision? Rating guidelines
Comedy - Director: Tony Dow - Original Language: English - Classification: 12 years and over - Starring: John Challis, David Jason, Nicholas Lyndhurst, Tessa Peake-Jones, Gwyneth Strong
Comedy - Director: Richard Boden, Mandie Fletcher, Martin Shardlow - Original Language: English - Classification: 15 years and over - Starring: Hugh Laurie, Miranda Richardson, Stephen Fry, Brian Blessed, Tim McInnerny, Tony Robinson, Rowan Atkinson
Comedy - Original Language: English - Classification: 12 years and over - Starring: Tessa Peake-Jones, Buster Merryfield, David Jason, Nicholas Lyndhurst
Okay will definitely try to watch it at some point. Good review...sharp and to the point. Although me and srowlands do disagree on many films (Can you believe he LIKED Love Actually...*sigh* British cinema in its darkest age yet)). Will have to watch I-Spy and hopefully will agree with both of you!
SRowlands 07.02.2004 00:26
I agree totally with your review. I really enjoyed the film, as it was easy watching, entertaining and just fun to watch.
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plane ever created is stolen the US government brings in their top spy Alex Scott (Owen Wilson) to track it down. What he doesn't expect is to be teamed up wi...
Postage & Packaging: £0.00 Availability: 3-5 working days
Superstar Eddie Murphy (The Nutty Professor, Beverly Hills Cop) teams up with Owen Wilson ... more
(Meet The Parents, Behind Enemy Lines) for a hilarious, action-packed thrill ride also starring Famke Janssen (X-Men, GoldenEye) as an ultra-sexy secret agent.A s...
Advantages: You can take it back to the shop if you still have your receipt. Disadvantages: You can't reclaim the 96.5 minutes of your life that you spent watching it.
brock 03.07.2003 ·
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful
Review of I Spy (DVD)
Advantages: You can take it back to the shop if you still have your receipt. Disadvantages: You can't reclaim the 96.5 minutes of your life that you spent watching it.
brock 03.07.2003 ·
Read review
Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful
Review of I Spy (DVD)
Nov 10th, 2003
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