🎯 Quick Overview
Trailer
- Director: Peter Segal
- Genre: Action, Comedy, Adventure, Spy
- Release year: 2008
- Runtime (length): 1h 50min
- IMDb rating: 6.5/10 (232K votes)
- Rotten Tomatoes: 51%
😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained
A nerdy analyst gets a promotion, teams up with a hot spy, and stops a bomb, proving that even the most awkward guy can save the world (and get the girl) with a little bit of luck and a lot of clumsiness.
🍿 Get Smart: Detailed Plot Synopsis
The Attack on CONTROL
Maxwell Smart, a brilliant analyst for the top-secret agency CONTROL, dreams of becoming a field agent. His ambitions are sidelined by the Chief, who values his analytical skills. When CONTROL headquarters is attacked by KAOS, a rival organization, most of the field agents are exposed, leaving CONTROL vulnerable.

Max’s Promotion and Partnership with 99
In the aftermath of the attack, Max is unexpectedly promoted to field agent, much to his delight. He’s partnered with the experienced Agent 99. Agent 99 is initially skeptical of Max’s abilities due to his clumsy nature, but they are soon thrust into a mission to stop KAOS’s nefarious plans.

Mission in Russia and Discovery of the Bakery
Max and 99 journey to Russia, aiming to trace KAOS’s acquisition of nuclear materials. They infiltrate a lavish party and uncover a KAOS nuclear weapons factory disguised as a bakery. During a confrontation, Max is forced to take action, further complicating their mission and raising suspicion within CONTROL.

Unmasking the Double Agent
After escaping the bakery, Max and 99 find themselves accused of being double agents. Max escapes custody. He uncovers KAOS’s plan to detonate a nuclear bomb during a concert in Los Angeles. He races against time with the help of 99 and the Chief to stop the attack.

The Final Confrontation
The team discovers that Agent 23 is the real double agent. They chase him through Los Angeles. The pursuit ends in a dramatic confrontation involving a car chase and a train collision, resulting in Agent 23’s demise. The duo must disarm a bomb.
⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained
🎬 Cast & Characters
- Maxwell Smart (Steve Carell): A highly intellectual but bumbling analyst who dreams of becoming a field agent and saving the world.
- Agent 99 (Anne Hathaway): An experienced and capable field agent who is initially reluctant to partner with Maxwell Smart but eventually falls in love with him.
- The Chief (Alan Arkin): The head of the CONTROL agency, who initially doubts Smart’s abilities but eventually recognizes his potential.
- Agent 23 (Dwayne Johnson): A celebrated and seemingly perfect agent who is secretly a double agent working for KAOS.
- Siegfried (Terence Stamp): The ruthless leader of KAOS, who plots to blackmail the United States with nuclear weapons.
- Dalip (Dalip Singh): A towering and imposing henchman of Siegfried, who ultimately has a change of heart and helps CONTROL.
💬 Memorable Quotes
- Maxwell Smart: “Missed it by that much.” – A classic catchphrase used when Max narrowly fails at something, often accompanied by a hand gesture.
- Maxwell Smart: “Sorry about that, Chief.” – Said after causing some kind of accidental mishap or blunder while on duty.
- The Chief: “Max, sometimes you amaze even me.” – The Chief expressing his mix of exasperation and grudging respect for Max’s unusual abilities and luck.
- Siegfried: “Would you believe…?” – Often used to mock Maxwell’s outlandish claims of protection.
💰Box Office
- Budget: $80,000,000
- Domestic Gross: $130,319,208
- Worldwide Gross: $230,685,453
💥 Get Smart Reviews
Personal Review
I absolutely loved Get Smart! I grew up watching the reruns of the TV series, and this movie did a fantastic job of capturing the spirit of the original while also modernizing it for a new audience. The casting was spot-on, with Steve Carell perfectly embodying Maxwell Smart’s awkward charm, and Anne Hathaway was equally great as Agent 99. The airplane scene where Max tries to disarm his bindings with the swiss army knife was hilarious, and the final scene where Max tackles the conductor at the concert hall had me on the edge of my seat. It reminded me of what I loved about the original show. Overall, I thought this was a fun, action-packed comedy that I will definitely watch again.
- Who would enjoy:
- “Fans of Steve Carell”
- “Fans of spy comedies”
- “Viewers looking for lighthearted entertainment”
- “People who enjoyed the original Get Smart TV series”
- Content warnings ⚠:
- “Mild action violence”
- “Crude humor”
- “Some suggestive content”
Professional Reviews
- Entertainment Weekly: “While Get Smart doesn’t reinvent the spy comedy, it’s a consistently amusing ride. Carell and Hathaway make a surprisingly effective comedic duo, and the action sequences are well-staged. A pleasant summer blockbuster that knows exactly what it is.
- Rolling Stone: “Get Smart is a fun update of the classic TV show, with Steve Carell perfectly cast as the bumbling but well-meaning Maxwell Smart. The film balances its comedic and action elements effectively and offers enough laughs to satisfy fans old and new.
- Variety: “Steve Carell nails the hapless charm of Maxwell Smart. Hathaway is good as Agent 99. Plenty of action and jokes for fans of TV series. [Peter Segal] keeps the story moving along with visual gags and quick pace.
Audience Reactions
Steve Carell’s portrayal of Maxwell Smart was hilarious and perfectly captured the character’s bumbling charm.: Fans agree that the movie successfully updated the classic TV series while maintaining its comedic spirit, and Carell and Hathaway’s chemistry was a highlight.
The action sequences were surprisingly well-done and added an extra layer of excitement to the film.: Many viewers praised the movie’s blend of action and comedy, noting that it struck a good balance between the two genres, making for an entertaining experience.
Overall Consensus: Get Smart is a successful adaptation of the classic TV series, with strong performances from Steve Carell and Anne Hathaway. The film balances its comedic and action elements effectively, making it a fun and entertaining watch for both fans of the original show and newcomers alike.
Awards
🛠️ Behind the Scenes
- “Bernie Kopell, who played Siegfried in the original TV series, makes a cameo appearance as a driver who gets rear-ended. He is seen yelling at Max not to stand in the traffic.”
- “During the skydiving scene, a team of professional skydivers led by Norman Kent performed the sequence over 70 jumps over a four-week period.”
- “The production used two classic cars from the original TV series: the red Sunbeam Tiger and the blue Volkswagen Karmann Ghia.”
🖥️ How to Watch Get Smart?
Get Smart is available to rent or purchase on various platforms including Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play Movies, and Vudu. Check your local listings for broadcast availability. It’s also available on DVD and Blu-ray for physical media enthusiasts.

🎥 Similar Movies
If you enjoyed Get Smart, you might like these similar films:
- Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery (1997): Both are comedic spoofs of the spy genre, with a focus on absurd gadgets and outlandish villains.
- Johnny English (2003): Shares a similar theme of an inept but well-meaning spy who stumbles into success.
- Spy (2015): A more modern take on the spy comedy, featuring a capable but underestimated agent.
- Top Secret! (1984): Another parody, but with a much more surreal, zany and absurdist sense of humor.
🛒 Get Smart Related Products
- Get Smart: The Complete Series DVD: Relive the original Get Smart TV series with this complete collection, featuring all five seasons of Maxwell Smart’s hilarious spy adventures. Enjoy the classic humor and iconic characters that inspired the movie reboot.
- Get Smart (Blu-ray): Get Smart is the movie. Enjoy Steve Carell and Anne Hathaway. Buy the movie on Blu-ray.
- Get Smart: Classified Board Game: Join CONTROL and KAOS in this Get Smart board game and get to solve problems. It’s Get Smart!
- Funko POP Movies: Get Smart – Maxwell Smart: Add Maxwell Smart to your Funko POP collection. This adorable vinyl figure captures the essence of the iconic spy.
🎧 Soundtrack
Get Smart features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:
You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.
🤨 FAQ
Yes, Get Smart (2008) is a film adaptation of the 1960s TV series of the same name, created by Mel Brooks and Buck Henry.
Steve Carell plays Maxwell Smart in the 2008 film adaptation, stepping into the role originally made famous by Don Adams.
Anne Hathaway portrays Agent 99 in the 2008 Get Smart movie, originally played by Barbara Feldon in the TV series.
The primary villain in Get Smart (2008) is Siegfried, head of the KAOS organization, portrayed by Terence Stamp.
Despite its moderate success, a direct sequel to Get Smart (2008) was never produced.
🔥 Bonus Content
Get Smart (2008) Dance Scene Fan Edit
Check out this fun and engaging fan-made dance edit of the iconic dance scene from ‘Get Smart’! It’s a celebration of the movie’s humor and a testament to its lasting impact on popular culture.
13 Top-Secret Facts About Get Smart
Did you know that Agent 99 was the first working mother on an American sitcom? Learn this and other intriguing facts about the original Get Smart TV series in this informative video. It’ll enhance your understanding of the characters and add depth to your appreciation of the 2008 movie adaptation.
Get Smart: Cone of Silence Scene
Get ready for some serious laughs with this iconic scene from ‘Get Smart’! The ‘cone of silence’ mishap is a perfect blend of physical comedy and spy-themed absurdity. You’ll be quoting this scene for days after watching it.
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