“I Spy” Movie Review

    Once upon a time, I used to go out to the movies at least once a week with my parents (before they sadly passed away) and one movie I remember my dad really wanting to see was “I Spy” because he was a fan of the original show.  I never actually did see the original television show but the film looked funny and I have always been a big Eddie Murphy fan.  This movie has a special place in my heart partly because it reminds me of my dad and I am glad it is finally getting a wide Blu-ray release.

    The film tells the story of a spy named Alex Scott as he is paired with hotshot boxer Kelly Robinson on a mission to recover a stealth fighter named the Switchblade.  The fighter was taken by an arms dealer named Arnold Gundars but Scott and Robinson have to learn how to get along before taking down Gundars and recovering the Switchblade.

    “I Spy” was met with mediocre reviews and was quickly forgotten.  While I don’t think the film was a masterpiece at all, I did find the film to be fun.  The biggest fault I can say about the film is that it played everything a little too safe and was a bit by the numbers.  “I Spy” actually had a few well executed action set pieces but they often got overshadowed by the constant banter of Eddie Murphy and Owen Wilson.

    The original television show starred Robert Culp as Kelly Robinson and Bill Cosby as Alex Scott (the film swapped the character’s races around).  Unlike this remake, the television show also featured both men as spies and equals from the very beginning.  The original show had more in common with James Bond than “Beverly Hills Cop”, which is part of the reason many critics considered this film to be a ‘in name only’ remake.

    The original television show also pioneered new grounds by featuring the first black lead actor in a drama series.  Both Owen Wilson and Eddie Murphy do a decent job with the material they are given, but they also don’t have much chemistry together either.  Malcolm McDowell as Arnold Gundars is the real scene stealer in my book.

    I actually got a chance to meet Robert Culp before he passed away at the Motor City Comic Con and he ironically autographed an “I Spy” script for me.  I wonder if including Culp and Cosby might have made this remake a little better.  Side note: I did not know that Robert Culp had a grandson who raps (stage name Bones) who was raised in my town of Howell, Michigan.  You learn something interesting everyday and it really is a small world.

    Thank you Mill Creek Entertainment for providing me a review copy and letting me relive a fond memory I have of seeing this movie with my dad.  I also had a fun time rewatching this movie as well.  “I Spy” is definitely an overlooked action/comedy that deserves more attention.

Grade: B-

Buy “I Spy” on Blu-ray Here!!!

“Murder Mystery” Movie Review

    Sometimes there just isn’t a lot to watch that I haven’t already seen.  Short of perhaps going to the theaters, checking out the new releases on Netflix is sometimes the best option.  I had heard of a new Adam Sandler film on Netflix which supposedly set records for the streaming service titled “Murder Mystery”.  I was bored one night so I figured I would give it a shot and see if it lived up to Netflix’s hype.

    The film follows Nick Spitz and his wife Audrey on their fifteenth anniversary.  Audrey is frustrated with Nick because they have never taken a trip to Europe despite Nick promising her they would go at some point and she confronts him about it.  Nick, who is ashamed because he just failed his detective test, lies to Audrey and tells her a trip to Europe was his surprise anniversary present to her.  On the flight to Europe, Audrey meets billionaire Charles Cavendish who invites the couple on his yacht.  The pair agree that a yacht would be more fun then a cramped bus tour so they set off with Charles.  While on yacht, the couple meet all of Charles’ family and associates.  The plot thickens when Malcolm Quince, Charles’ uncle, declares that everyone but his new wife Suzi (and Charles’ ex) will be cut from his will.  Before he could sign his new will, the lights go out and Malcolm is dead.  What makes matters worse is that Nick and Audrey have become prime suspects and have to solve the crime to clear their names.

    Okay, now I know critics don’t tend to be kind towards Adam Sandler and in some cases, he has deserved the roasting, but I don’t hate him.  Yes, I am pretty sure he uses his production company as a tax write off for vacations as many people joke about but he has made a few decent films as a result.  How do I feel this movie stacks up?  Well, the movie has a decent story and ‘feels’ like a movie (a quality not present in every Netflix film).  So despite it being somewhat bland at times, the movie wasn’t terrible.

    Now, this movie is a prime example of the type of film Adam Sandler does now that most of his older fans wish he wouldn’t continue doing.  Why you might ask?  Well, while the movie isn’t terrible, it is a very ‘safe’ movie.  There are funny moments but most of the humor is derived from relatable situations like snoring or being cheap as opposed to Sandler’s quirky personality.  The reason people still love “Happy Gilmore” and “Billy Madison” so much is because they were Adam Sandler showcases, not because of their stories.  I personally wish Sandler wasn’t so safe anymore.

    The film stars Adam Sandler and Jennifer Aniston and the pair seem to be destined to be the king and queen of Netflix movies.  Sandler and Aniston reunite for this film and have a natural chemistry as a result.  Luke Evans is charming and dashing as usual.  It was nice seeing former Bond girl Gemma Arterton again.  I think the last film I saw her in was “Clash of the Titans”.  Lastly, seeing General Zod himself, Terence Stamp, was also a special treat.

    “Murder Mystery” is a decent yet safe comedy with some legitimate laughs sprinkled throughout.  The film won’t be a classic but I have seen worse comedies in theaters.  Ultimately, it’s worth a watch in my opinion.

Grade: C+