ViewGuide

Created Nov 07, 2015 01:28AM PST • Edited Nov 07, 2015 10:25PM PST

1. Quality

2. Summary

   Barely OK 2.0

   Spy’s spinster-styled spoof of James Bond never comes off the hook. It may have worked in a theater with gals all around. But it sure as hell didn’t work 40,000’ over the Atlantic. I’m hardly the target demographic, but only counted three laughs – meager ones at that. When the funnies don’t come easily, the incessant scatological humor grates and the movie reminds you that there’s nothing worse than comedy that falls flat.

4. Acting

   Good 3.0

   • Melissa McCarthy misses the mark as mousy Susan Cooper.
   • Jude Law, Rose Byrne & Jason Statham: 3 non comedy stars doing their best Leslie Nielsons
   • Allison Janney is more than respectable, of course, yet still not funny.
   • Raad Rawi is a credit to the production, as he always is.

5. Male Stars Very Good 3.5

6. Female Stars OK 2.5

7. Female Costars OK 2.5

8. Male Costars OK 2.5

10. Film

    Barely OK 2.0

    Paul Feig has been remarkably reliable when writing and directing for Melissa McCarthy, in The Heat and even in Bridesmaids. Not in Spy. Why?

11. Direction OK 2.5

12. Play Pretty Bad 1.5

13. Music Barely OK 2.0

14. Visuals Very Good 3.5
15. Content

16. Edge

    Sordid 2.6

17. Sex Titillating 2.1

18. Violence Fierce 1.9

19. Rudeness Nasty 3.7

21. Reality

    Surreal 2.5

22. Circumstantial Surreal 3.0

23. Biological Surreal 2.1

24. Physical Surreal 2.4