Spy

Rated: R

        I’d like to tell you about the movie that brought Melissa McCarthy and Paul Feig together again, Spy. Although McCarthy has had numerous TV and movie roles since she began her acting career in 1997, it wasn’t until her role in the 2011 hit Bridesmaids that she became a household name. Spy brought McCarthy and writer/director Paul Feig together for the third time. The first time was with Bridesmaids, the second with The Heat. Feig is also writing and directing the all-female reboot of Ghostbusters, which stars McCarthy (among others).  
 
        Although Feig didn’t officially begin writing the character of Susan Cooper in
Spy for McCarthy,
by the time the script was finished it was a role that was tailored to her. Feig began writing the script for
Spy in June of 2013 and signed McCarthy on for the role just one month later, a full 3 months before any other cast member was onboard. And with the previous two movies (Bridesmaids and The Heat) raking in over $328 million, it seems there’s no stopping this unlikely duo anytime soon.
 
        And now to tell you a little bit about the movie: Meek, deskbound Susan Cooper has worked behind the scenes at the CIA for years. After the loss of her partner and the realization that every other undercover agent has been compromised, Susan realizes that this may indeed be her time to shine.
 
        McCarthy may be the one with her name on the marquis for this one, but she’s hardly the only shining star in it. Jason Statham proves that he’s got a lighter side, playing the bumbling Agent Rick Ford. I honestly didn’t think Statham had this much funny bone in him. This is the type of role I didn’t ever think I’d see him in, but yet I can’t possibly picture anyone else playing it as well. I wonder if this is the start of less serious roles for him…I guess only time will tell!
 
         The other unexpected shining star in this movie was relative unknown Miranda Hart. Hart has been a comedienne and actress in England since the early 2000s, but
Spy was her first major role in Hollywood. I really hope to see more of her, because she brought comedic balance to a movie that at times was a bit “in your face”.
 
        In the world of movies I highly doubt
Spy will go down as a classic. I also doubt it will be up for many, if any, awards, but that doesn’t mean it’s not worth watching. I wouldn’t quite call it a spoof, but more of a caricature of the traditional spy movies we’re all used to, such as James Bond and Mission Impossible. It’s a hilarious and fully entertaining take on a genre that can sometimes be stuffy and full of itself. I wouldn’t necessarily spend the money to see it in theaters, but certainly watch it if you get the chance.

               
Spy is rated R, was written and directed by Pau Feig and stars Melissa McCarthy, Miranda Hart, Rose Byrne, Jason Statham and Jude Law. It’s in theaters now.