Spy (2015) review

                I’ve been hesitant to write this review since my reaction to Spy (2015) has largely been due to the overwhelmingly positive response to this very mediocre comedy. It’s not anyone involved with this film’s fault that currently on Rotten Tomatoes, Spy(2015)  has a 92% freshness rating(that’s 4% points shy of the Godfather Part II )or that the Village Voice recently published a top ten of 2015 list including Spy(2015).

                Spy (2015) isn’t an awful movie and it genuinely made me chuckle a few times. Jason Statham shines playing an over the top parody of the uber masculine James Bond cold war era super spy. The transporter unexpectedly delivers several timely laughs in this bland comedy.

                One of the biggest failures of this film is in its narrative. I couldn’t figure out if Melisa McCarthy’s character was supposed to be a lovable but bumbling spy or super spy in the making who never got her shot at the big time. The film’s dialogue seems to points to the later while McCarthy’s slap stick comedy points to the former. I wonder if perhaps the filmmakers thought making Ms. McCarthy’s character an inept spy would be misogynistic. If they didn’t crowbar in the idea of the main character being a super spy Melissa McCarthy’s character repeatedly engaging in slap stick hijinks would make a lot more sense. Her characters repeated gaffs point to her being an inept covert operative but the film’s exposition would lead us to believe otherwise.

                Spy (2015) is a decent film that makes for a fine weekend rental. I apologize if my review comes off overly negative. Frankly this review is a victim of the overwhelmingly positive press this film received. It’s like if you told me Point Break (1991) is one of the best films of 1991. Point Break (1991) is a totally watchable film, I happen to enjoy the movie very much. However, when you start rating it with the best films of that year like Silence of the Lambs (1991) or Terminator 2 (1991) I’m going to have to ask you to pump the breaks and take the film down a peg or two.

2 out 5 transporters  

A few comedies that aren’t rated as fresh as Spy (2015) on rotten tomatoes

The Jerk (1979)

Bridesmaids (2011)

Animal House (1978)

Everything You Always Wanted to Know About Sex* (1972)

Step Brothers (2008)