I Spy

It's a typical action , modern film . Owen Wilson plays a good and serious CIA agent , Eddie Murphy plays a humorous and foul mouthed boxer . They are called to action on a risked top secret espionage mission and both of whom join forces to vanquish the evil and nasty person , Arnold Gundars : Malcolm Mc Dowell , who has stolen a supersonic and invisible airplane and to foil his treacherous schemes for the aircraft . Famke Janssen and Gary Cole play other agents , we don't know if they are good or bad guys until the end . Attitude meets espionage .Espionage with attitude . Get another field of view .

The movie blends action , fun , humor , giggles , emotion , comedy, tongue-in-cheek and results to be quite funny and entertaining . Two protagonists carry out a dangerous assignment , their mission , to catch one of the world's most successful illegal arms dealers : using equal parts skill , action and humor . The characters from the TV series are reversed in this film version . As some roles have diffferent attitude , experience and personalities to the the original TV series. Eddie Murphy , as always , playing the same role , a foul-mouthed as well as sympathetic person , Owen Wilson and Famke Janssen are rightly portrayed . Support cast is pretty well , such as : Gary Cole , Malcolm McDowell, Phil Lewis, Leacock and Lynda Boyd . Good and atmospheric cinematography by Oliver Wood . Thrilling and moving musical score by Richard Gibbs . Direction by Betty Thomas(28 days , Troop Beverly Hills , Dr Dolittle , Alvin and the chipmunks the squeaksequel ), is ordinary , fitting to action film . Rating 6/10 . Average but amusing.

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.

Alex Scott (Owen Wilson) is a second tier American spy. He is tasked to retrieve the Switchblade, a prototype invisible stealth fighter, from Arnold Gundars (Malcolm McDowell). Superspy Carlos (Gary Cole) is too recognizable to do the job. Kelly Robinson (Eddie Murphy) is a brash loudmouth champion boxer. Scott works with Robinson to track boxing fan Gundars before he can sell the plane. The duo is joined by Famke Janssen.

Owen Wilson and Eddie Murphy are both great comedic actors. They have good chemistry together having fun trading punchlines. The problem is the serious story. The comedy works better than the thriller. I have to admit that I never saw the TV show. So I have no idea what they're attempting to replicate. Maybe it was an advantage to not have any expectations at all.

This is a re-make of sorts, not from a movie but from a television series that made history when Bill Cosby became the first black actor to star (or co-star) in a regular TV show. He and Robert Culp played in the show of the same name.

Here, Eddie Murphy plays Cosby's role and Owen Wilson takes over Culp's character. As funny as Murphy has been over his film career, I, for one, have gotten tired of his loud and abrasive characters. It's getting tiresome. Even in the animated hit, "Shrek," Murphy was loud, too talkative and obnoxious. He can't seem to get away from that kind of character. Wilson was more likable in this film and Famke Janssen was interesting.

There are a few wild action scenes in here and this film is played strictly for two things: comedy and action. Another thing: it should have been rated "R," not PG-13. Overall, the story is lame but it is entertaining so, for that, it's worth a rental.

I always liked Owen Wilson and Eddie Murphy, so I thought, in case the movie is worth nothing, I'd still get to see some friendly faces. For better or worse, I can say it was about what I expected.

I put this movie in two categories, and I think I placed it right: it's a decent comedy, with parts attempting to live up to an action movie. At its heart though it tries to be comedic and funny, so that's upon what it should be judged. Thankfully, you will get the chance to laugh out loud, but unfortunately not as much as you'd like to laugh out loud at a comedy. I won't even mention rolling on the floor.

The story isn't something really new, but it has quite a few humorous plot twists. The so-called funny character is Kelly, who really inflicts a fair amount of pain on his adversaries, but he is just such a nicely drawn, egocentric guy, that it actually works on a comedic level. It's always just about him, and him and then some more.

The actors have their charm but I won't really dwell on this as they are as high profile as it gets, Hollywood style, so you know what you get. Perhaps Wilson could have spiced up his game with a bit of the unexpected, but all in all he does what he does best.

I did feel a bit let down by the special effects, with some flimsy looking explosions placed here and there. However, the host city of Budapest looked really gorgeous throughout, making it well worth it's money shots.

To draw the line, the film isn't great, but it's fine enough. No brilliant ideas, or anything like that, just the usual comic stuff.