Secret agent Alex Scott (Owen Wilson) teams with a world famous boxer (Eddie Murphy) in a case to find a missing aircraft in this action comedy directed by Betty Thomas (200's 28 Days) and a remake of a 1960's television series.
I Spy is the latest in a growing sub genre of movies made based on nostalgic action television series such as the hit Charlie's Angels. Like Charlie's Angels before it, I Spy is a mix of action and comedy in an attempt to appeal to a wide audience such as the same audience who made both Rush Hour films blockbusters. Unfortunately, I Spy is a tired film that doesn't bring anything new to the buddy comedy formula.
The film doesn't succeed because its attempts at comedy are the same gags seen in 48 Hours a decade or so ago. Frankly, the film isn't quirky or original enough to stand out among other comedies. The jokes reek of being used just to appeal to certain demographics and therefore draw a large audience despite the jokes being bland and vanilla. More originality or jokes that poke fun at society would have helped I Spy be a more humorous film.
The action sequences are executed with more flair than the comedic elements. They put special effects to good use and deliver visceral thrills. Too bad they aren't as commonplace as you would expect. Instead, comedy is more prevalent which hinders the film from reaching its potential as an entertaining action film. Needless to say, I Spy would have benefited from being a straight action movie as to what it actually turned out to be as a hybrid of action and comedy. It often seems as if director Betty Thomas slacked on her directorial duties during the comedic portion of the film as the flair seen during the action sequences is missing when the film attempts to be humorous. It certainly doesn't help that the script, credited to Marianne and Cormac Wibberley, hammers the viewer over the head with the punch line to almost every joke present in the film. As Alex Scott, Owen Wilson is underused as the film isn't very funny and his strongpoint is as a comedic personality. Eddie Murphy is similarly underused as he mails it in here. He seems bored most of the time and comes across as an overly giddy persona. As the film's main female presence, Famke Janssen again oozes sexuality and personality in her underwritten role.
Overall, I Spy would have made a fun action movie but seems determined to be an action comedy and suffers from an unfunny script. When you combine the solid action with the dumb comedic elements you get a mediocre film.
Rating: 80
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