Susan Cooper (Melissa McCarthy) is an unassuming, deskbound CIA analyst, and the unsung hero behind the Agency’s most dangerous missions. But when her partner (Jude Law) falls off the grid and another top agent (Jason Statham) is compromised, she volunteers to go deep undercover to infiltrate the world of a deadly arms dealer, and prevent a global disaster.
REVIEW:
Paul Feig’s Spy, the latest film in what I will now describe going forwards as ‘The McCarthy & Feig Trilogy’, is one of those rare movie experiences that gives you everything you wanted and expected from a film when you walk into the auditorium, but also leaves you grinning from ear to ear on the way out at the unexpected treats found within. A bit like going into the bathroom for a wee, and noticing a box of Ferrero Roche once you’re finished washing your hands. Bonus!
I’m not going to go into super detail here and describe the plot to you. You have the internet if you really must know, or better yet, go and see the film! You’ve seen the trailer right? Melissa McCarthy’s character, Susan Cooper, is a highly trained but woefully ill-appointed operator in the CIA, spending her days on the back bench behind a desk and providing tactical assistance to the supremely dashing Bradley Fine, played by Jude Law (let’s be honest, we all have a little crush on Jude Law right?) Well after spending so many years watching over the handsome spy and providing mission support from a radio jammed inside his ear, so does our Coop. I mean she REALLY wants him. She wants to be in ALL of his orifices, not just one. I think we can relate.
If you’re thinking to yourself, ‘Hey! You said you wouldn’t describe the plot you idiot!’ That was in the past. Things change, that’s life so get used to it.
Alas, the plot must progress. Things go wrong at CIA HQ and without revealing the story we are left with the spunky and bright eyed (if a little flumpy) Coop being the last remaining hope for America/The World/Humanity. The details aren’t that important. It’s a fish out of water story, it’s Melissa McCarthy, you know the drill. You’ll giggle at slap stick situations, chortle at the self-deprecating characters, and maybe even howl at the hilariously offensive one liners and insults the characters throw at each other with such gusto. The plot trundles along well enough, with enough twists and turns to keep any prospective script editor happy. You lock the door and unzip your flies. The familiar and expected sense of relief is comforting.
Coop’s character progresses through the story as expected, her desire and need to be with field agent Fine satisfyingly morphing and manifesting itself throughout the film as her evolution into becoming the very thing she desired in the first act, nothing short of a fully capable super spy. It provides a solid central theme of rebirth and self-discovery and Paul Feig directs the script (for the most part) brilliantly. Which he should seeing as he wrote the thing. Feig manages to take a whole host of spy movie tropes and turns them on their heads. The mandatory gadget brief, the high class casino infiltration, the exciting chase scene. All of these are taken by Feig and made fresh by his comic sensibility. Solid performances by an entourage of supporting actors and leading roles make for a highly entertaining watch. Uber bitch and part time slutty dolphin trainer (spoilers) Reyna is played with a real sense of dry humour and it’s clear to see a fabulous Rose Byrne clearly relishing in her characters horribleness as the central antagonist. If I’m honest, the plot got a little lost towards the end of the film, but by then I didn’t really care. The film is about the comic performances and the action. You press down on the handle and the deep gentle gurgling of the flush gives way to serene cleanliness. It’s a job well done. But wait, what’s this? A delectable selection of tasty treats, wrapped in tantalising gold foil! Shall I describe the taste? I know what you’re thinking. ‘Are we talking about a popular British retro chocolate confectionary here or a smash hit comedy action thriller movie damn it!? This analogy has gone on long enough!’ And you’d be right. So let’s press on and unwrap the golden foil to reveal what lies within!
Firstly, the supporting cast. British mums all over the nation will squirm in delight at seeing Miranda Hart on the big screen. It’s awesome to see her flexing her considerable comedy chops again after what feels like years gracing our small screens in the quite serious but beloved Call The Midwife. The very definition of British humour and awkwardness, I was pleased she played much more than a bit part, and her later scene with a certain rapper had the audience laughing and applauding in equal measure. There may have even been a whoop from my girlfriend (a self-confessed Miranda Hart mega fan). Peter Saran-wrap-sandwich makes a welcome appearance as Aldo, a superb caricature of the stereotypical sexually charged secret agent. Serafinowicz (thanks Google) really shows his ability as a character actor here and he manages to pull off the exact amount of questionable sexual harassment with a roguish charm without going too far to the dark side (right?) and hopefully we’ll see him playing larger roles on the big screen from now on.
It’s worth noting as well a break out performance by Julian Miller, playing deadly assassin Nicola. I had the pleasure of working with Miller last year on a short action thriller film called Prime Contact where he played the lead role of Sam LeBrant, a disembodied scientist on a mission to bring down an international evil research institute. It’s great to see new talent hitting the big time and he had a fantastically violent scene with Melissa McCarthy!
Secondly, the action. And what action there is! I have to admit, I really hadn’t paid too much attention to this film before my trip to the cinema so really hadn’t done too much in the way of background checking. I love being surprised by films, it’s like getting a totally unexpected Christmas or birthday present. I was blown away by the fight work and action scenes within this film! An absolute stand out moment for me was an incredibly well-crafted and performed kitchen fight sequence between McCarthy and Byrne which was chock full of slapstick moments mixed with the right amount of bone breaking intense choreography. I eagerly awaited the end credits and lo and behold, J.J. Perry’s name was boldly displayed, along with a long list of incredible action performers. It began to make sense.
Lastly, Statham! Inspired by his burley alpha spy character Rick Ford, I’m currently writing this review without using my arms. They were torn off by a pack of ravenous genetically engineered wolves. I reattached them using masking tape and powdered custard. In fact I haven’t even seen the film yet, I’ve been able to write this review purely using an ancient meditative journalism technique handed down to me by a long lost tribe of Mayan scholars I ran into after my plane crashed in the Amazon rainforest, fact! Statham was an absolute show stealer for me. Played 100% straight, the over the top Rick Ford provides some of the best lines in the movie. We all have that friend who constantly has our eyes rolling in disbelief at their own warped ideas of themselves and their abilities, and Statham’s character serves both to parody the ridiculousness of the super spy archetype and also in a superbly self-aware way, himself as an actor. Ford reminded me of an action film version of Jay from The Inbetweeners, the original version by the way not the awful US remake! Jay is my favourite character from that series and so I’m not surprised I found Ford so hilarious.
More comedy roles for Statham, please!
So there we have it. Our bladders are empty and our bellies are full with sweet golden chocolate. Go see this film, you’ll have a great time.
Disclaimer – This article is in no way endorsed or sponsored by Ferrero Roche.
Martin Wan is a leading member of the Leeds-based martial arts action, stunt and stage performance troupe, SG Action, and is a guest contributor for Film Combat Syndicate. He also intuitively listens to me from time to time when I need to complain about life, whereupon he’ll tell me to stop complaining… which is awful nice of him.