I Spy (2002)

Simply A Masterpiece

This story has more twists and turns than a second-rate soap opera.

A terrific literary drama and character piece that shows how the process of creating art can be seen differently by those doing it and those looking at it from the outside.

The acting in this movie is really good.

I Spy is a silly little piece of fluff with not a whole lot of merit to it, besides some slick production design. It's based on a cherished television show of the same name that ran during the mid 60's, starring Bill Cosby and Robert Culp. I have never seen an episode, so I couldn't tell you how that show differs from the film, but the film struck me as redundant and overly shtick-y, even for outlandish actors like Eddie Murphy and Owen Wilson. Murphy is eternally more magnetic and talented than Cosby ever was so I guess there's that, and Wilson does his usual sheepish wannabe alpha thing which holds up for a little while before we want to rearrange that nose of his with our fists for the fiftieth time. He plays a top secret government agent who is attempting to stop the purchase and use of a military prototype jet that can literally turn invisible, from both the naked eye and sonar detectors. To achieve this task, he needs the help of a mouthy, arrogant professional athlete, played by Murphy. Don't ask me why he needs him because I don't remember, but giving him someone to constantly bicker with for the whole movie seems to be the only reason I can think of. They natter at each other for friggin ages on end, until we feel like the film consists more of them bitching at one another than actually... you know.. spying. The quality level spikes a little bit when Famke Janssen shows up as the obligatory Femme Fatale, clad in black leather and dosing out sexy charisma in spades despite the fact that she's ultimately not given much to do. There's an underused Gary Cole and a suave Malcolm McDowell who plays the arch villain and culprit of the whole scheme with class and sass that the film hardly deserves. This one's a dud, there's just no way around it, and there's nothing I hate more than dishing out a negative review, but I needed a spare Famke flick to round out the week's work, so find it in your heart to forgive me pls.

I Spy (2002): Dir: Betty Thomas / Cast: Eddie Murphy, Owen Wilson, Famke Janssen, Malcolm McDowell, Gary Cole: Eddie Murphy's third flop of 2002, the others being The Adventures of Pluto Nash and Showtime. It wasn't that long ago when this guy was extremely funny. Now the only thing funny is how he gets talked into appearing in sh*t like this. Title regards Eddie Murphy referring to himself in the third person. He plays boxing champion Kelly Robinson sent on a mission with reluctant agent Owen Wilson. Plot is replaced with idiotic situations with spy movie clichés and an ending that goes into overkill. Director Betty Thomas employs an idiotic scene where the agents end up upon a truck hauling new cars. They cut them loose at the pursuing villains but never does the driver stop to investigate his suddenly descending cargo. Thomas made a great comedy in Private Parts but this is hardly in the same range as that film. Murphy and Wilson are fine comedic performers but this junk does neither one of them any justice. Famke Janssen was a great villainess in the 007 film Goldeneye but she demonstrates none of that talent here. Malcolm McDowell will always be remembered for his great performance in A Clockwork Orange but this is a film he will likely not wish to reflect upon. The result is a pointless comedy with pathetic production values that render it totally unwatchable. Score: 0 / 10

Alex (Owen Wilson) is a member of the U.S. spy force, even if he is a bit dim, at times. When he starts an avalanche at a rescue post in a cold climate, he still, nevertheless, manages to rescue the appropriate person. Yet, just as he is being sent to Budapest, to prevent the sale of a super-stealth plane to the enemy, the powers that be decide to give him a partner. Kelly (Eddie Murphy) is a great boxing champion and is slated to fight a big match in Hungary, too. Why not have Kelly tag along with Alex, as a superior "cover" for both of them, allowing them time to crack the plane situation? Going along, too, will be Rachel Wright (Famke Jansson), a gorgeous lady agent who is the object of Alex's daydreams. Let the games begin. This is a fun film, based on the old television series with Robert Culp and Bill Cosby. But, in reality, it is nothing like the classic show, except in providing plenty of entertainment. As the principal players, Murphy and Wilson are just right, exhibiting the irreverent but chortling humor we expect. Jansson is quite lovely, too, and Malcolm McDowell comes along to play the heavy nicely. As for the setting, it (Budapest) is beautiful and worth a showing of the film, if for no other reason. The costumes and production values are great, also. If you are looking for something on the level of Out of Africa, you will be disappointed. I Spy is just your usual, manufactured movie. Yet, there is something about this mirthful flick that keeps one interested, down to the last scene. For those who just want to pass a couple of smiling hours, this one is for you.

Obviously the creators of this film did not care for the original show. If they had, they wouldn't have gone so far out of their way to alter it beyond recognition.Kelly and Scotty were suave, urbane, competent. Neither one of them was James Bond. They never stopped into the spy center to pick up their gadgets.Kelly did NOT have a posse, a bevy of bi-atches or a private airplane with his name splattered on the side, and he did not refer to himself in the third person. AND, he was a WHITE tennis player, not a black exhibition boxer. (I guess white men can't jump, so they made the black guy the athlete.) Robert Culp was incredibly sexy but did not refer to himself as "Agent Double Oh Nine and a Half". I mean, ewe! But, these are all elements of this film, which for some reason bares the name of the series and heists the character names.I don't think I would have hated this movie so much if it weren't pretending to have anything to do with the classic series. If it were a stand alone flick about a couple of spy guys, then, so what. But, as it is, it's basically an affront to the original "I Spy". Was their only research a poster or something? Because, the original show is available on DVD, so it's not as if it's gone from the planet.It brings to mind the horrific "update" of the "Wild, Wild West", a Razzie Award fav.I don't have any problem with black people updating these characters and stepping into the roles. But, do they have to do it so badly? Kelly and Scotty were never goofy, or grossly incompetent. (Ok, so they walked into a couple of fists along the way. It was subtle comedy, not this over-blown mess.) This Kelly and "Alex" are hopelessly off the mark.Updates can work, (Scooby-Doo, Addams Family, Bradey Bunch) but there has to be SOME respect for the source material, even if it's parody. How can you parody something you've never bothered to see.And gawd, this movie makes me love Culp and Cosby even more than I already do!