Let's begin. Spy is a very funny movie. While I don't doubt that Melissa McCarthy will become a novelty like most comedic actors do, I'm glad that we have her now because she's changing the comedy game right now. In her third collaboration with writer/director Paul Feig (the first two being Bridesmaids and The Heat) we're given a James Bond-esque secret agent spy parody film with an actress who may be the funniest actress of my generation. I know some people are put off by McCarthy because it's kind of known that she gets her laughs from falling down and being fat. However, if you recall most of her other roles, this isn't the case at all. You're thinking of Kevin James. You're thinking of Paul Blart. Melissa McCarthy is actually a comedic genius and if you don't believe me watch the outtakes to This Is 40.
McCarthy plays Susan Cooper, the seemingly mild-mannered "secret agent" who spends all of her time behind a desk and in the ear of field agent Bradley Fine (Jude Law). However, when a mission for Fine goes awry, and all of the identities of the CIA's agents are revealed, she must go undercover in order to track down a stolen nuclear weapon that's going to be sold to terrorists by Rayna Boyanov (Rose Byrne). But, here's the greatest part-- she's great at it. She's always been great at it. She just lacked the confidence to be able to do it. Like most humans, she got stuck in a rut of comfortability, and found herself behind a desk for a decade. This movie was never supposed to be fat chick accidentally becomes a spy and things just happen to work out because she's so stupid and bumbly that it just works. No. It's a person who knew what she wanted-- to be a secret agent-- but wound up getting comfortable with the stability of helping her counterpart, Fine. After a decade of zero field work, her confidence went down and she lost faith that she would ever be as good as she thought she could. However, she is. She's better than she thought. She's the best. She knows how to beat an ass and she knows how to adapt to situations. She's the ideal spy. Unlike spy Rick Ford (played by the comedic
This is why the McCarthy/Feig team is so pefect: they're not out to make a fat person fall down is funny movie... they're out to make a funny movie. What I have the utmost respect for in this film particularly is that there isn't a single fat joke. Not one. There isn't even a reference to her being fat and unable to complete a mission because of her weight. It's ignored completely because it's useless fodder for comedy. Instead, they use her appearance to garner laughs in a more creative way. Because she lacks confidence, her CIA director (Alison Janney) keeps giving her the most ridiculous and non-flattering disguises possible (old, cat lady). I mean the closest anyone comes to ridiculing her appearance is Statham calls her "lunch lady". That's it. The movie isn't out to be mean-spirited in the slightest-- it's out to make you laugh. And, my God, does it ever.
What's also great is that Spy isn't always laugh out loud until you cry funny (although there are plenty of scenes like that), but it's also a very clever film. Jason Statham is the perfect parody of himself and foil for McCarthy's Susan. Statham, in practically every film he's ever been in has been an ass-kicking machine. In this film it's like he's seen all of his previous films and understands that he's an invincible machine... yet actually really isn't. I never knew he had such great comedic chops, but I hope this isn't the last comedy he decides to do (I also hope he doesn't completely switch to comedy, either... I mean, come on. I can't lose badass Statham, either.). The film is also great because it doesn't hold ANYTHING back. Usually when you've got a female protagonist (like McCarthy) the filmmakers will puss out and keep the violence to a minimum. Feig knows what he's doing and doesn't care who the audience is... he's out to make a funny film. So, the violence onscreen is pretty graphic. Like there are some GOOD deaths with a lot of blood. However, it's all pretty much played in a comedic way... if that makes any sense. And, of course, there's still a high level of McCarthy raunch to it. I could listen to that woman go on a vulgar diatribe about literally anything.
I didn't mind The Heat, but I thought it would be a little funnier and a bit less stupid. Spy is able to take everything that The Heat lacked and improved upon it. It's a smart, funny, witty, clever, and apt spoof of the spy genre with a very competent lead and an amazing supporting cast of hilarious characters. Don't just assume you think you know what this film is going to be like, because I can assure you... you'll be severely impressed.
B+
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