ShareThisFor an action comedy that has its over-the-top moments, "Get Smart" knows the wisdom of "less is more."Although it's nominally an adaptation of the beloved 1965-70 Cold War TV spy comedy, "Get Smart" goes out on its own, creating a new mythology for the central characters. That's not just a wise choice, it was practically a necessity.After all, other movies already have staked out the espionage-farce genre, notably "Top Secret!," "The Naked Gun: From the Files of Police Squad!" and, if you must, "Johnny English." If it adhered strictly to that genre, "Get Smart" would be seen as derivative not only of its source material but also of the films the show previously informed.Further, if the new film slavishly devoted itself to trying to re-create the mood and magic of the TV series, it couldn't help but fall short. And when filmmakers have the talented Steve Carell as their star, there's no excuse for them to fail (take that, you "Evan Almighty" knuckleheads!).So it is that Maxwell Smart (Carell) is the top analyst at CONTROL, the super-secret U.S. spy agency believed to have been disbanded decades ago. Max eavesdrops on spy chatter and prepares voluminous reports that help the agency keep America safe.But like the key grip on a movie set who wants to direct, Max dreams of being a field agent. He finally gets his chance when an attack on CONTROL headquarters exposes all of its agents. Only Max and Agent 99 (Anne Hathaway), who's just undergone extensive reconstructive surgery, are unknown to operatives of the evil crime syndicate KAOS, so they head to Europe to find nuclear devices that KAOS could use to bring the United States to its knees.Written by Tom J. Astle and Matt Ember and based on the characters created by Mel Brooks and Buck Henry, "Get Smart" tips its hat to the show with respect. The concept of gadgets that usually go awry is milked for fun, while the show's catchphrases pop up like comfort food.Carell is adept at both slapstick and deadpan humor, and he uses both here. He resembles the late Adams somewhat, but his Max is more man, less spoof, bumbling but not clueless.Hathaway plays 99 as tougher and cooler than Barbara Feldon's model, but she's convincing. Her natural composure and a savvy bit of dialogue take the weirdness out of the real-life 20-year age difference between her and Carell.Alan Arkin as the Chief has the film's funniest line, while Dwayne Johnson is charming as BMOC Agent 23. Terence Stamp and Ken Davitian make believable KAOS villains.Director Peter Segal ("50 First Dates") keeps things moving at such a fast clip that the next joke often arrives before the previous laughter has ended. "Get Smart" combines the fun of the series with serious action chops.Rated PG-13 for rude humor, action violence and language.Four stars (out of five).(Contact Knoxville News Sentinel film critic Betsy Pickle at pickle(at)knews.com.)
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