The Spy Who Came in From The Cold: Review of Spy

Spy

Director: Paul Feig

By Alex Watson

Thanks to the charms of the reliable Melissa McCarthy, Spy is a funny and likeable parody. Director Paul Feig doesn't deliver anything groundbreaking in terms of formula. But in terms of sheer belly laughs and wit, it succeeds admirably. Its leading character Susan though, is one that audiences are drawn to and will certainly be back for more installments.

Susan Cooper (Melissa McCarthy) is a desk bound CIA agent who assists super spy Bradley Fine (Jude Law). But when Fine goes MIA, Susan finds herself pushed into a field agent role. She is tasked with tracking villians Rayna Boyanov (Rose Bryne) and Sergio De Luca (Bobby Cannavale). Together the pair know the location of a devastating nuclear bomb. But is Susan really ready for the challenge ahead?

Rather than just letting Susan being the bumbling overweight and clumsy hero, Paul Feig turns things on their head makes her an butt-kicking action star. At first she is the underwhelming office lady whom everyone assumed to be a crazy cat lady off screen. Alongside her equally downbeat friend Nancy (Miranda Hart), she is kept firmly at her desk and laments her crush on Bradley not being returned. Though she whispers helpful instructions through his ear piece and keeps his life safe, she knows this maybe as good as life gets.

The second act of Spy thankfully turns over a new leaf and allows Susan to run wild with flying groin kicks, punches and any number of sassy insults. In rich villain society, she really is the fish out of water and causes ripples of panic whenever she enters a room. But no matter what she does or any errors thrown, she only succeeds in becoming likeable throughout. Same cannot be said for the villains of the piece. Rayna while cold and glamorous is a rather cookie cutter villain, whose is more like a playground bully than an icy international criminal.

Thankfully this movie has enough gas in the tank to see it through the whole run. No matter where the action takes us, Rome, Bulgaria or even the US, the laughs keep on coming. Also the action sequences are equal to even some more established action franchises. One scene she Susan in a kitchen battle with both a knife and frying pan. Full marks for creativity there, but seeing her hang from a helicopter is a finale that works on all levels. If only for the hilarious 50 Cent cameo that comes alongside it.

Melissa McCarthy is one making a great career out of these type of films. As Susan she brings us a character that has a superbly sharp tongue along with a set of skills that would rival Jason Bourne. Expect a return for this character very soon! The supporting cast is also top notch, with Jude Law leading the way as self-serving agent Bradley. Very much a satire of the Bond franchise, Law demonstrates his comedic ability to poke fun at himself. But it is Jason Statham who steals the show with an hilarious turn as Luke Ford. With the subtly of a brick and loudly bragging about his exploits, Statham has a ball and I can only hope he earns a spin-off from this.

Spy is a movie that is impossible to dislike and there will most likely be any number of sequels in future. Melissa McCarthy is proving to be one actress that can stay fun no matter the material and I look forward to the exploits of Susan in years to come.