Review of I Spy (2002) by Dan O — 30 Jan 2011

My nuts were kicked.

Alex is a spy that has been assigned a mission in Hungary that involves bringing down a major terrorist bombing attempt. The mission may also involve bringing down a double-agent that needs to be uncovered. Alex is assigned a boxer that has an upcoming match in Hungary to help him with his mission. Can Alex and the boxer get along long enough to accomplish their mission?

"This is going to amuse me.".

"If you find going to the dentist amusing this is going to be ha, ha funny.".

Betty Thomas, director of Doctor Dolittle, 28 Days, Alvin and the Chipmunk: The Squeakquel, and Private Parts, delivers I Spy. The storyline for this picture is okay for the comedy genre but nothing special overall. The execution of the plot is solid and the script is worthwhile. Some of the scenes are a little too over the top, but they don't completely ruin the movie. The acting is better than anticipated and the cast includes Owen Wilson, Eddie Murphy, Famke Jannsen, and Malcolm McDowell.

"Call me if she's got a sister.".

"If she's got a sister I'm not going to call your ass, it's going to be the three of us.".

I Spy aired on HBO this morning and I decided to give it a shot. I thought this film would be awful but it was not as bad as I had anticipated. There were numerous funny lines in the movie, and while Murphy and Wilson overdid it a couple times, I still found myself laughing on and off throughout the picture. Overall, this is worth viewing if you're looking for a couple chuckles but it isn't the best Wilson or Murphy movie I have ever seen.

"You mean like double-O 7?".

"Yeah, except I'm going to be more like double-O 9 and a half.".

Grade: C+.