Would You Believe that "Get Smart" is Actually Good?

    Would you believe that when I was a pre-adolescent youth in the mid 1960's, I only read manic-depressive Russian authors? Well then, would you believe during my formative years of the mid 60's, when I wished to be entertained, I only watched the public TV channel (one of only four channels)? So now, would you believe that after a Saturday of chores and some tackle football, I could watch "Get Smart," the TV show that debuted in 1965, and have 30 minutes of laughs and later good conversation around the outside water fountain at recess on Monday?

    Would you believe that if you picked query number three, you'd be right? "Get Smart," the TV show, was a classic. Created by writer Buck Henry and funnyman Mel Brooks, "Get Smart" starred Don Adams as Maxwell Smart and Barbara Feldon as Agent 99. Each week one could depend on the solid comedy of Maxwell Smart getting himself into a predicament by the shear weight of his own stupidity, with Agent 99 always there to save the day for domestic spy agency CONTROL and the U.S.A., and then demurely melted into the background.

    "Get Smart," the movie, was a notable switch from the TV show in that Steve Carell did not portray Maxwell Smart as a complete boob; but, rather, as the bumbling hero in the end. Carell, who also produced the movie, showed that he can flesh-out sympathetic characters that are real as well as funny, as he did in "The 40 Year Old Virgin" and "Little Miss Sunshine."

Agent 99, played by Ann Hathaway, like her predecessor Barbara Feldon, was tough; but this time with an edge. Totally believable as a super agent and beautiful - must be her big brown eyes - she was more the foil than Carell's non-depiction of Smart as the flop.

    Alan Arkin, the great character actor, had a meaty role as The Chief, which he characteristically downplayed, somewhat reminiscent of his uncredited role as the Police Captain in "So I Married an Ax Murderer." Dwayne Johnson, formerly known as The Rock, was convincing as the typical charismatic hero, but later was revealed as the menacing nemesis, double Agent 23.

    The storyline, fantastic while manifesting many gaffs with loss of scene continuity, was nonetheless convincing, and therefore must be forgiven if one is to suspend disbelief and have fun with the movie. It has been my experience in today's cinema, comedy does not come easy and belly laughs, moreover, are spare: so, I take my laughs where I can find them.

    Rated PG13. 110 minutes of runtime. Released on DVD November 4, 2008.