Review: "Spy" is a female Austin Powers more so than Bond

Spy R
Not being a fan of McCarthy movies, this one was going to be a tough one to credit, but it ultimately was a funny movie. The SNL heavy movie has some practical and funny juxtaposition jokes, even if the main joke is mean.

The story centers on a secret agent and his desk bound agent operative, whereas she likes him and he is not interested, because she's slovenly and heavy. That's literally the joke. They carry this to the hilt, although not using a girl in a fat suit, but by actually casting someone plus sized. Then she self humiliates throughout the movie.

The James Bond type man is supposedly killed, leading the agent lady and her own sidekick, a tall Brit lad, to go and stop the assassin, who happens to be another spy woman. Along the way is another agent who is dogging them and they find him obnoxious.

The movie plays like a girl version of Austin Powers from decades ago, but with the mojo being estrogen, and the jokes being about loser stereotypes. In the end it's not a particularly good message, and the story is meant to prove that although the underdog triumphs, she does to at the expense of her self image. That is messed up.

It's not as good as critics claim and is probably at best a funny background rental movie when it comes out on bluray. It isn't bad, but it sure isn't great.

Review by Adam Browne