If the goal was to take the James Bond franchise on a dark turn, then mission accomplished, “Casino Royale” (2006). As the next 007, Daniel Craig offers plenty of pursed-lipped pensiveness as he walks with his John Wayne swagger, but lacks the Sean Connery glint in his eye (let’s don’t bother with the other, lesser Bonds). The plot is worthy of a Bond film, with sexy women, fast cars, exotic locations, quirky supporting characters and wild action sequences. But the tech is more techy than gadgety, which is a microcosm of the difference in the reboot: a lack of fun.
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Mike Myers hasn’t made a bunch of great movies, but he has struck gold a handful of times. “Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery” (1997) is an example of Myers at his best. His genius is attention to comic detail, so having screenwriter Myers star as a swinging ’60s Brit in a send-up of James Bond movies guaranteed it that would be crammed full of big jokes and little jokes (and witty asides to reward the initiated). It’s almost too detailed. The Roger Moore-era Bond films were a little hokey, plotwise. Myers seems to be mostly playing off that vibe.
Sometimes Melissa McCarthy is too much of a good thing (get it?) but I was laughing out loud just about all the way through “Spy” (2015). I also sometimes become numb to movies that shower me with a 119-minute fusillade of F-bombs, but listening to McCarthy and Rose Byrne rip each other a new one was almost “Sopranos” worthy. It’s a comic retelling of a Bond-like story, with BMWs, helicopters, poisoned drinks and McCarthy’s schtick. The pacing is good and a strong commitment to both the action (arterial spray) and comic (stool softener) genres balance each other (and McCarthy) nicely.
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