Spy
Starring Melissa McCarthy, Rose Byrne
Directed by Paul Feig
After a string of mediocre comedies, Melissa McCarthy finally gets the breakout lead role she deserves in the often uproarious Spy. Equal parts Bond spoof, mixed commendably with snappy writing and endless zingers, Paul Feig’s latest offering stands as the funniest film of the year so far.
Deskbound CIA analyst Susan Cooper (McCarthy) becomes a full-fledged secret agent after her partner Bradley Fine (Jude Law) goes missing. Feig crams the script with an almost relentless supply of gags but the hilarious ensemble cast more than lives up to the task of maintaining a level of zaniness that walks a fine line between parody and ridiculousness. The dashing Law, villainous Rose Byrne and acerbic Allison Janney are predictably strong, but action star Jason Statham represents Spy’s ultimate secret weapon. His character’s over-the-top brashness and penchant for recounting his harrowing misadventures make for seemingly endless hilarity and one has to wonder if he could sustain a spin-off. Still, the movie rests confidently on McCarthy’s shoulders as she showcases her array of talents and is never reduced to sight gags based on physicality, though she does endure her share of elaborate action and pratfalls.
Although Spy could have been shortened by about ten minutes, it moves at a brisk pace for the most part and contains its fair share of laughs but the real victory is Feig’s ever-evolving knack for crafting female empowerment as he provides his main star with the perfect vehicle for getting the respect and accolades she deserves.
