Spy (2015)

TOMATOMETER

AUDIENCE SCORE

Critic Consensus: Simultaneously broad and progressive, Spy offers further proof that Melissa McCarthy and writer-director Paul Feig bring out the best in one another -- and delivers scores of belly laughs along the way.


Movie Info

Susan Cooper (Melissa McCarthy) is an unassuming, deskbound CIA analyst, and the unsung hero behind the Agency's most dangerous missions. But when her partner (Jude Law) falls off the grid and another top agent (Jason Statham) is compromised, she volunteers to go deep undercover to infiltrate the world of a deadly arms dealer, and prevent a global disaster. (C) Fox

Rating: R (for language throughout, violence, and some sexual content including brief graphic nudity)
Genre: Comedy
Directed By:
Written By: Paul Feig
In Theaters:
US Box Office: $97.5M
Runtime:
20th Century Fox - Official Site

Cast


as Susan Cooper

as Rick Ford

as Raina Boyanov

as Elaine Crocker

as Bradley Fine

as 50 Cent
Show More Cast

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Critic Reviews for Spy

All Critics (195) | Top Critics (35)

Melissa McCarthy shines in this clever action-comedy showcase provided by the writer and director Paul Feig, but the movie's tightly contrived plot and uniformly positive emotions constrain her comic genius.

Full Review… | June 15, 2015
New Yorker
Top Critic

Hollywood is gradually figuring out what to do with Melissa McCarthy.

Full Review… | June 11, 2015
Chicago Reader
Top Critic

This is an awful lot of fun. Don't wait for the DVD; see it with a crowd.

Full Review… | June 26, 2015
NOW Toronto

Offers too much one-note character-comedy and grows too concerned with being an action film itself. The feminist subtext is pretty juvenile; the script tries to get a lot of mileage out of a few comic conceits. Jet-sets around Europe but never takes off.

Full Review… | June 26, 2015
Vue Weekly (Edmonton, Canada)

The ace partnership between filmmaker Paul Feig and actress Melissa McCarthy evolves into something formidable with this raucous action comedy, which simultaneously spoofs the espionage genre and provides some genuine thrills.

Full Review… | June 24, 2015
Contactmusic.com

A refreshing return to form for Melissa McCarthy that features a hilarious supporting turn from Jason Statham.

Full Review… | June 19, 2015
John Hanlon Reviews

Audience Reviews for Spy

Melissa McCarthy's meteoric comedic rise hasn't been without its missteps, mainly the complaint that she seems stuck in a rut playing aggressively weird and foul-mouthed characters that are growing tiresome. McCarthy is never better than when teamed with her Bridesmaids' director Paul Feig, and Spy is a welcomed return to form for a great comic actress who relishes being outlandish. The best part of the film is that it's a character-centric comedy, with McCarthy as Susan Cooper, a CIA agent who works as a handler, the voice on the other end of the earpiece, guiding her partner the handsome Agent Bradley Fine (Jude Law). When Fine is compromised on a mission, Susan unexpectedly finds herself in the field to track down some very bad people. McCarthy does get to be vulgar, but fortunately it's only one persona she adopts as a mask, and it's cleverly utilized. Feig's screenplay makes sure to find different comic beats as it goes, rarely repeating itself and, like any good action movie, finding twists to further develop conflicts. Part of what's so enjoyable about Spy is how comic scenarios will evolve while staying true to the characters and the central conflict. Also, Feig acquits himself more than well with the film's semi-slick action photography. The supporting cast is nicely tied into the story and matter and each actor has material to cut loose, none more than Jason Statham (The Expendables) as a hilariously boastful and incredulous agent. His boisterous chest-beating about his past deeds are some of the film's funniest moments. Consistently funny, witty, and mildly progressive with its heroine, Spy is a vehicle that makes perfect use of McCarthy's talents and then some.

Nate's Grade: B+

Nate Z.
Nate Zoebl

Super Reviewer

I may get some flak from people who claim I am some kind of Paul Feig hater, as this is his third film in a row which has received a lukewarm response from this reviewer. And though I do believe there is an audience for Feig's repetitive (watered down Judd Apatow) form of slapstick; it is now my belief that this filmmaker uses the women empowerment/strong female lead angle as a crutch to mask the fact that his movies are simply not that funny.

Read the rest of my review at: http://www.examiner.com/review/spy-review-from-a-paul-feig-hater

Follow me on Twitter @moviesmarkus

Markus Emilio Robinson
Markus Robinson

Super Reviewer

½

Melissa McCarthy and Paul Feig strike comedy gold once again in this raunchy parody-like espionage film. Spy displays laugh-out-loud thrills and another marvelous performance from McCarthy. The strong supporting cast carry their end to make this a very solid piece. 4.5/5

Eugene Bernabe
Eugene Bernabe

Super Reviewer

Spy Quotes

– Submitted by Ray P (12 days ago)
– Submitted by Ken C (18 days ago)
– Submitted by Ken C (18 days ago)
– Submitted by Ken C (18 days ago)

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