I don’t particularly appreciate Paul Feig in cinema. I’m one of those people who didn’t like Bridemaids that much, and frankly disliked The Heat. It’s all linked to that particular branch of humor that I dislike, the one that thinks that making fun of or being dumb in an ironic way is funny because somehow it denounces what it shows. I mean, sure, occasionally it can work but definitely not here. With each of his movies, I have a tiny hope I’ll reconcile with his cinema but I have yet to see this day. Spy, while entertaining with a few great scenes, is not enough to turn around a decade of dumb action comedies.
Spy sets itself as a spy movie parody: Melissa McCarthy plays Susan Cooper, a discreet, kind and resourceful CIA agent assigned to be the helper of the mega spy Bradley Fine, played by Jude Law. When he dies during one mission, she takes it upon herself to go on a perilous mission to avenge her friend. Approximately every known representation of a spy is portrayed by each character: Fine as the ultra sexy, somewhat dumb but super skilled spy who never gets hit by anything and comes out of dangerous missions without a scratch; Rick Ford (Jason Statham) as the overachieving spy who always makes conversations about him, Aldo (Peter Serafinowicz) as the pervert spy who thinks that he can grab women and it’s ok, the double or triple agents etc….. In that diversity of characters, it had potential but ultimately something just didn’t work.
First thing first, what bothered me the most I think, is the constant fat shaming jokes. I just can’t take it anymore, there must be more in comedies than just that (and there’s more in Spy, it’s just that it takes a lot of screen time). We all get that Melissa McCarthy is on the heavier side, we get reminded about it each of her movies, and we’re lucky she’s not playing the usual annoying bully here! She’s so great, and her character is so capable and resourceful, as well as being the only one getting things done, and the few moments of glory and spotlight she gets are overshadowed by the dumbing down of the action. But I guess that’s the point with these kinds of action-comedies. Dumbing things down creates jokes, yet I personally don’t think it’s appealing.
The cast is golden, and for most of them we’re not used to seeing them in comedies. An honorable mention to Jason Statham, the scene-stealer, who is amazing as the dumb over the top spy who’s done every dangerous mission on the planet. He’s definitely playing a parodied version of most characters he has played in huge action movies and his self-mockery is quite refreshing. I also loved seeing Miranda Hart, whom I absolutely love (if you don’t know her*, watch her show Miranda, you won’t be disappointed), in an American movie. And of course the cameos were awesome, 50 Cent and especially Verka Serduchka! I think I was the only one losing it when I saw them on that stage in the Paris run scene. (If you don’t know who Verka is and have no idea what Eurovision is, click here. You are welcome.)
When I think about it a little bit more, we’ve already had an amazing spy movie parody this year, and it’s Matthew Vaughn’s Kingsman. Even if they are a little different in genre (one is a full comedy and the other is mostly a dramedy), they’re very similar and Vaughn did a better job than Feig at making fun of that special spy genre. I’m not saying that it’s all that bad, there was some golden bits in Spy, but it was never enough to elevate the movie past those easy laughs.
Spy is a must see if you loved Paul Feig’s previous work and liked it, or if you have a sweet spot for easy comedies and easy jokes. It’s still entertainmening and an improvement considering his previous work.
Rating: 2.5/5
*Editor’s Note: A book review of Miranda’s book is coming soon as well!
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