Mr. & Mrs. Smith

Sometimes, a movie can have big stars, a huge budget, and spectacular action sequences, but without a solid story behind it, it all feels like an eye-catching package with little real substance. Mr. & Mrs. Smith blends action and comedy with a simple premise: a seemingly normal married couple is actually made up of two assassins working for rival agencies. The problem is that the film takes itself too seriously when it might have worked better with more irony and lightheartedness, making everything feel emptier than it should.

The biggest draw is the chemistry between Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie, who carry the film with their charisma. The movie gives them room for playful glances, meticulously choreographed fights, and moments of romantic tension disguised as conflict. However, beyond them, the story is minimal, and character development is almost nonexistent. The action sequences are well-executed and fast-paced, but without a strong script to support them, they become pure visual spectacle and lose impact as the story progresses.

It's not a boring movie, but it doesn't leave much of a mark either. If you take it as a showcase of high-speed chases and explosions, it can be entertaining, as long as you don't expect much more. However, the lack of a more developed story and the overly serious tone prevent it from fully working. In the end, it's a visually attractive product that, if not for its lead actors, would likely be forgotten.

Since going through most recent action movies is like chewing through cardboard, Mr. and Mrs. Smith is pleasantly energetic for an action flick. Mr. Smith and Mrs. Smith is good fun, and does a decent job of satisfying the occasional need for summer-movies.

The effectiveness of the film lies in the exploration of what happens to a failing marriage when the couple are at their wits end ... and ... for the first time, come to realize that the other is a professional assassin ... and ... subsequently push the ceiling on what is termed 'spousal abuse' ... and ... of course, get to play with guns.

The success of the film, however, lies in how Jolie and Pitt actually bother to exercise some of their acting talent. They look like they are having fun, and genuinely enjoy the other (surprise! surprise!). The chemistry is good, and the actors are super sexy, which is always a plus for any film.

The movie fails, naturally, when the ending summarily degenerates into what is expected of action-fare, the shootouts, gun battles, and kisses. Enjoyable, nonetheless, even on its final wonky legs.

(Note: it is also a shame that in a film with so much shooting that no one gets to shoot Mr. Vince Vaughn. My, is that guy a terrible actor who can't resist hiding himself.)

I saw an advance screening of this movie tonight, and I must say it far exceeded my expectations! Of course, due to the stars involved I knew there'd be sex appeal. And due to the advertising I knew there'd be plenty of stuff "gettin' blowed up real good." But what I wasn't expecting was the tongue in cheek jokes, dark humor, and respectable plot twist! Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie will only fuel rumors of their relationship with their performances - their chemistry on screen is scintillating, to say the least. The allure of each actor as an individual is undeniable, but when they're together, whether getting busy or getting pummeled, the screen fairly sizzles. It's a popcorn, Hollywood movie, of course, and you'll have to get past the fact that the two leads are the only two among many professional killers who seem to be decent shots! But the action is kickin, the acting well above par, the leads luminous, the plot is lots of fun, and the laughs are plenty. Enjoy! I sure did...

I didn't really like the movie, because it took two hours to explain a whole lot of nothing. It seemed pointless to watch, because its a typical Hollywood spy-flick cliché. Two people fall in love, are found out, and ordered to kill each other. I think it was a horrible movie, and could have been better. And they could have had better actors for the main roles, too. It was rather lame, seeing as they focused mostly on keeping their careers secret. If it had a bit less guns, and more swordsmanship, it may have been a bit better. My friend and I sat in the theater for two hours, laughing only at the parts that everyone else laughed at. It was pretty stupid, especially after they stole some Batman moves.

It may be unfair to say, but its easily admitted that the most interesting ploy this film can rely on was the media storm surrounding "THE affair" that led to "THE Hollywood couple to be" Brangelina. As a matter of fact, the film is actually rather good and the playful yet genuine chemistry berween Pitt and Jolie excuses the ludicrous plot and reliance on marketing gimmicks. The film really isn't a serious one, but it is a sexy one.