Review of Spy (2015) by Drauchdoes2015 — 09 Jun 2015

Far exceeding my lukewarm expectation, Spy arrives as a cementation of the creative pairing of Feig and McCarthy, and could end up as the funniest film I see all summer. It’s without a doubt the return to form McCarthy so demanded after her recent output of comedic sludge (St. Vincent lacked enough of her to erase the grease-stain that is Tammy). More than that, Spy is legitimately, refreshingly hilarious. It’s fantastic cast play up acidic vitriol and exponentially vulgar material with game performances across the board, particularly from Jason Statham (more on his brilliance later).

The film takes the established espionage thriller format and, though it is impaired by credence to some of that formula’s worst qualities (cliched jargon detailing overly-complex character backgrounds, convoluted treachery, etc.) Spy successfully spoofs these movies with it’s goofy, yet rousing action sequences and daffy situational irreverence. Think James Bond meets Jump Street (replace daunting black man as boss with daunting bony white woman) (Allison Janney is the best).

However, Spy also regrettably embraces the hollow, yet suave veneer of actioners of old and indulges in a few too many hackneyed bromides of the genre (exaggerated use of slow-motion, exhausted montages, a detached, businesslike synth-soundtrack, etc.). These roadblocks hamper Spy from resembling anything close to artistry, but it’s ribald inventiveness is so revitalizing, it earns my blessing through entertainment value alone.