[/text_block_nav][text_block_nav title=”What Troy Thought”]”Spy” is a comedy that works because McCarthy and company have found the even middle ground to make her funny without being overly annoying. I appreciate the return of R rated comedy. However, the end result remains to be an even keel of girl power comedy by way of subverting male action trends. While that was funny and inventive about 10 years ago, we’ve now hit a brick wall again.
What else is there to make these jokes work? 50 Cent helping to mount a helicopter assault? The constant false narrative devices of a modern spy flick? Jason Statham painfully trying to make material work, while you can see the desire to return to being Chev Chelios burn behind his eyes? I hate it when a film leaves me with too many questions. But, what am I supposed to do when the released trailers have telegraphed the biggest moments for an audience.
[/text_block_nav][text_block_nav title=”Conclusion”]”Spy” is a limited appeal film in a summer sporting few real gems. While it is a charming enough comedy to pass the time, I can’t call it a stellar film. Hopefully, we’ll see the return to greatness for Feig and McCarthy by the time that “Ghostbusters” hits. But, I’m not holding my breath. You could do far worse at the theater this summer, but I’d recommend checking out “Fury Road” for the 8th time.[/text_block_nav]