November 12, 2002 THE RETRIEVER WEEKLY FEATURES Page 27

I Spy Stays True to the Original, Delivers Lots of Laughs SHIRLEY LONG Robinson (Murphy). The plane is being plan and Alex and Kelly soon find derful as well. Owen Wilson fit the Retriever Weekly Staff Writer kept in Budapest, and Robinson is themselves involved in a situation that role of bumbling super-spy Alex Scott going there anyway because the 57-0 gets more complicated by the minute. perfectly, bringing both innocence One of the most familiar genres in middleweight champ is scheduled for a Having never seen the original and intelligence to the character. the film industry is the spy movie. match against the European champion, series, I can’t draw any comparisons Eddie Murphy was equally suited for From James Bond (the franchise that staged, conveniently, by Gundar. The between that and the new film. But, the role of the brash, conceited, trash- won’t die) to Austin Powers (the hilari- plan is to infiltrate the spectacle and based on its own merit, I can say that talking Kelly Robinson, a role that ous send-up of the Bond franchise), find out where the plane is being kept. this film does the series much credit. It reminiscent of the brash, conceited, these movies show up every- trash-talking cop/wannabe where. The latest addition to this movie star from Showtime. genre is I-Spy, which is based on a Famke Janssen, the former 60s television series of the same Bond girl, did such an excel- name that starred Bill Cosby and lent job playing the sexy, Robert Culp. This time around, sophisticated Rachael that the the stars are Owen Wilson (Behind ending came as a complete sur- Enemy Lines) and Eddie Murphy prise. Malcolm McDowell did (Showtime) and they’re joined by an equally excellent job as the former Bond girl Famke Janssen sinister Arnold Gundar. Add a (X-Men), Malcolm McDowell few brief, but over-the-top per- (Just Visiting), and Gary Cole formances by Gary Cole as (One Hour Photo). cocky spy/ladies man Carlos The film’s plot follows the and you have a very well- basic “stolen government technol- rounded cast. ogy” formula, with some twists. A Overall, the film, complete prototype for a highly sophisticat- with high-tech spy gadgets, is ed stealth bomber nicknamed an excellent addition to its “Switchblade” has been stolen by genre without being too James illegal arms dealer Arnold Gundar Bond-ish. The plot has very (McDowell) only to be sold on the few, if any, holes; the acting, as black market. If the plane is sold, I’ve already said, is excellent; the results for the U.S. would be and the chemistry between disastrous, so the Bureau of Wilson and Murphy may not be National Security needs to send perfect, but it works. I would someone after it. There’s only one definitely recommend this movie to spy fans everywhere, agent for the job…but Special Courtesy of Sony Pictures f Agent Carlos (Cole) is somewhere Shoot ‘Em Up: Eddie Murphy stars in the remake of the classic 1960s hit, which starred Bill Cosby. as well as average moviegoers. in Latin America. So, the BNS Owen Wilson co-stars with the Beverly Hills Cop actor and gives another funny performace. This is one film you definitely decides to send bumbling Special don’t need to be an expert on Agent Alex Scott (Wilson) instead. It spy/Bond films to see. Just sit turns out that Gundar is a boxing fanat- In Budapest, they meet up with Rachael has both witty and slapstick humor, as back, relax, have a few good laughs, ic/promoter, so they pair Scott up with (Janssen), another American spy. well as the intrigue that marks the spy and enjoy the film. trash-talking boxing superstar Kelly Unfortunately, almost nothing goes to genre. The acting in this film was won- I-Spy (### out of four)