Get Smart

Steve Carell and Anne Hathaway headline yet another needless big-screen version of an old TV series, taking the roles created by Don Adams and Barbara Feldon in the '60s spy spoof and dropping them into a somewhat more James Bond-ian world of international espionage. For this take, Maxwell Smart is a genius analyst turned klutz agent teamed with field veteran Agent 99, whose resistance is worn down by his moments of brilliance. Who wants a comic agent with credibility? It only leaves Carell struggling to find a comic identity in a film that never finds one of its own. The big action scenes and elaborate stunt work end up swamping the comedy, and the film strains to work in all the show's catchphrases, which never quite fit the film's confused tone. The old show never even pretended he was competent, merely tenacious, lucky and quick with a quip. Even old hand Alan Arkin never quite finds his footing as the chief (oh, for the exasperated reactions of Edward Platt), and Terence Stamp looks like he'd rather be in another film than playing the generically silky supervillain.

Watch the DVD in the interactive "Smart Takes" mode and the disc pauses periodically for the viewer to check out deleted and alternate scenes in the context of where they otherwise would have appeared. It's an inventive approach that can get on your nerves with all the interruptions to the film. The two-disc edition features a more conventional collection of featurettes with a lighthearted tone and a digital copy of the film that can be downloaded to PC, iPod or other compatible players. Also available in Blu-ray format.