[yasr_overall_rating]
A desk-bound CIA analyst volunteers to go undercover to infiltrate the world of a deadly arms dealer, and prevent diabolical global disaster.
To start off with, I’d like to share a bit of info that was sent to me from the “Spy” production office: Susan Cooper (Melissa McCarthy) is an unassuming, deskbound CIA analyst, and the unsung hero behind the Agency’s most dangerous missions. But when her partner (Jude Law) falls off the grid and another top agent (Jason Statham) is compromised, she volunteers to go deep undercover to infiltrate the world of a deadly arms dealer, and prevent a global disaster.
Teaming with Melissa McCarthy for the third time, following their smash hits “Bridesmaids” and “The Heat,” writer-director Paul Feig this time adds a planeload of action to their trademark comedy and sets the story in gorgeous European locales. The bustling, unfamiliar environments of such famed capitals as Rome, Paris and Budapest add to Susan’s disorienting transition into the cloak-and-dagger fieldwork of international espionage.
Says Feig: “I’m a big fan of spy movies, and I wanted to create a broad action comedy in that genre. The comedy comes from the characters. It’s not a spoof or satire. The danger and action are genuine. We wanted it to have the tone of a spy film, but still be as funny as we could make it.”
“I also wanted to create a relatable story in which we could all wonder, ‘If I was recruited as a spy and sent on a mission, how might I react? Melissa is perfect for the role because, despite being extraordinarily talented, she can still play the ‘every person’ and elicit a profound sense of empathy and support.”
It was so much fun to see what Susan’s next “cover” would be. Until she picks one for herself, all of her covers are to the extreme side of frumpy, anti-social and eccentric. This makes it even more of a surprise and shock when she finally puts on a sexy dress and plays up her cover to be sexy and tough. As a large woman myself, I can’t thank the producers and director of “Spy” enough for making a large woman smart, sexy and powerful. McCarthy does this on a regular basis in her hit TV show “Mike & Molly” but to see it on the big screen in such a dynamic roll, is fantastic!
Susan’s best friend Nancy (Miranda Heart) was an incredible treat and happy surprise. I had originally seen Heart in her portrayal of an awkward nurse in the BBC series “Call the Midwife.” Her geeky charm and humor shone in the series, and carried on in her role as best friend in “Spy.”
It would be very easy to write paragraph after paragraph regarding the incredibly accomplished actors that make up the cast of “Spy.” Everyone who came across the screen touts a substantial list of accomplishments. The bottom line however, is that there was nothing negative or even slightly disappointing for me about “Spy.”
There’s a lot of adult humor, sexual innuendo and profanity throughout the film. Although language and content are never used just for shock value, it’s important to know it’s there. I would not feel comfortable with anyone under the age of 13 seeing it. That being said, my high school freshman daughter and I saw “Spy” together. We were both laughing so hard throughout the movie that parts of our faces went numb! We didn’t even have a chance to finish our popcorn because we were laughing so much!
I was originally afraid that the movie would be “stupid humor” from start to finish, mostly potty humor and a few explosions. I couldn’t have been more wrong. The story is complex, engaging and rich with intelegent satirical humor.
In theaters June 5th
