Get Smart

Steve Carell, Anne Hathaway (Actors). (2008). Warner Home Video. Rated PG-13. B001GMAVGE

PLOT SUMMARY

Control Analyst Maxwell Smart longs to be an agent in the field, but is too good at his job that his boss will not promote him to a field agent. Only when Control headquarters is sabotaged and the identities of all agents are compromised is he able to fulfill his dream and become an agent in the field on his first mission: infiltrate KAOS and discover if the rumors of nuclear weapons is true.

CRITICAL EVALUATION

The movie is a very entertaining story based upon the show from the 1960's. It includes the catch phrases that Maxwell Smart used, which tweens might not catch, but will resonate with those who were fans of the show. It is fast paced and somewhat predictable, but full of humor, albeit some of it crude. The conflict between Russia and the United States hearkens back to the cold war, but war is still a valid theme today in a world full of political turmoil.

GENRE

Action/Adventure

CURRICULUM TIES

History/Social Studies

Can be used to discuss the history of the cold war, or even the current problems with certain countries developing nuclear weapons.

READING LEVEL/INTEREST AGE

12 and up

CHALLENGE ISSUES

Violence, some brief language, rude humor, brief male nudity

CHALLENGE DEFENSE IDEAS

None of the violence is any worse than a T-rated video game. I would alert parents to the library's policies on checking out material, and let them know that we offer these materials for the benefit of the entire patron community. Our job is to provide services and access to everyone, and not to control what each person is checking out.

WHY INCLUDE THIS MOVIE

I think this movie would be entertaining for both male and female tweens, which is sometimes difficult to find. The use of nuclear weapons in the story is still valid today, and is an important theme to keep in mind.