Story
Maxwell Smart (Steve Carell), US spy agency Control’s top analyst, harbours aspirations to be a field agent like his hero, Agent 23 (Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson). His boss, Chief (Alan Arkin), is reluctant to lose Max’s skills at headquarters, but when the evil KAOS organisation attacks Control central and kills off its agents, Chief has no choice but to give Max a chance.
Max is partnered with the experienced and beautiful Agent 99 (Anne Hathaway), who is unimpressed with her new associate. Max (now agent 86) and 99 set off for Eastern Europe and uncover an illegal nuclear arms deal, headed by KAOS operative, Siegfried (Terrence Stamp). In uncovering the KAOS plot, a possible double agent and the risk to the US president (James Caan), Max and 99 develop the respect, trust and friendship they need in order to save the day.
Themes
Espionage
Violence
There is some violence in this movie. For example:
Sexual references
There are some sexual references in this movie. For example:
- Max refers to having received a ‘sucker punch to the gonads’.
- After dancing with Kristic, 99 asks Max whether he saw anything. He misinterprets her and says ‘Yes, but I don’t think you expected him to dip you so far’.
- While using gymnastic-like moves to avoid laser security, 99 asks Max is he is looking at her ‘butt’. He denies it, but can’t help himself.
- 99 and Agent 23’s previous love affair is revealed, and Max states that he feels incredibly sexually inadequate.
Alcohol, drugs and other substances
None of concern
Nudity and sexual activity
There is some nudity and sexual activity in this movie. For example:
- 99 is briefly shown in her underwear.
- Max and 99 kiss twice in the movie.
- 99 shows some leg to get into a party in Chechnya.
- Max tries to escape from a room, but needs the help of an unconscious guard. When another man walks past the room, it appears as if Max and the guard are having sex.
- Max bows to the audience and then the orchestra, revealing his bare bottom through his well-worn trousers.
Product placement
The following products are displayed or used in this movie: Ipod, Mac and Dell computers, and Coco Chanel sunglasses.
Coarse language
This movie contains some mild to medium-level coarse language.
Ideas to discuss with your children
Get Smart is a ‘good versus evil’ action spy comedy based on the television series of the 1960s. Young children may find some scenes scary and storyline a little complicated. Older children and adults are likely to enjoy the slapstick humour and the throw-away one liners.
Values in this movie that you might wish to reinforce with your children include:
- friendships, respect, trust
- teamwork
- persistence and believing in your capabilities
- not everything is a competition
- using intelligence and understanding to resolve conflicts.
This movie could also give you the opportunity to discuss with your children the real-life consequences of behaviours such as:
- being judgmental
- betrayal
- using violence to resolve problems
- other harmful behaviours such as belittling, bullying and name calling.