Spies Like Us Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

Two government schlubs cheat on a test, become spies, and accidentally prevent World War III, proving that incompetence can sometimes save the world… or at least provide some laughs.

🍿 Spies Like Us: Detailed Plot Synopsis

Recruitment of Unlikely Spies

Emmett Fitz-Hume, a State Department employee with a penchant for laziness, and Austin Millbarge, a talented but underappreciated code-breaker, find themselves taking the Foreign Service exam. Both display blatant incompetence and cheat openly, leading to hilarious mishaps during the test. Despite their poor performance and obvious cheating, Fitz-Hume and Millbarge are surprisingly recruited by Ruby and Keyes for a top-secret mission. They are told they’re being promoted to GLG-20 level agents, unaware that their selection is far from conventional and based on them being expendable decoys.

Comical Training and Initial Mission

The newly appointed agents undergo a rushed and chaotic training program where their ineptitude is continuously highlighted through slapstick scenarios. Despite their repeated failures, they are deployed to Afghanistan, supposedly as highly skilled covert operatives. Upon arrival, they quickly realize something is amiss when they’re picked up by individuals posing as American attaches. Milbarge notices one of them wearing a distinctly Russian wristwatch, leading them to discover they are imposters. A confrontation ensues, and the bumbling duo manages to escape.

Decoy Revealed and Foiling the Plot

After escaping the fake attaches, Fitz-Hume and Millbarge encounter a British doctor, Jerry Hadley, who mistakes them for fellow medical professionals aiding the mujaheddin. They are thrust into a chaotic medical environment, culminating in a disastrous appendectomy. Later, while trying to contact their superiors, they discover the devastating truth: they are merely decoys meant to distract the Soviet forces. Despite this betrayal, Millbarge and Fitz-Hume decide to take action, eventually leading them to a Soviet missile site in the Pamir Mountains.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Emmett Fitz-Hume (Chevy Chase): A lazy and womanizing State Department employee who becomes an unwitting decoy spy.
• Austin Millbarge (Dan Aykroyd): A brilliant but underappreciated code-breaker who is also chosen to be a decoy spy.
• Mr. Ruby (Bruce Davison): One of the handlers from the Ace Tomato Company overseeing the GLG-20 mission.
• Mr. Keyes (William Prince): The other handler from the Ace Tomato Company who recruits Fitz-Hume and Millbarge.
• General Sline (Steve Forrest): A General who plans to launch a nuke on the USA, and set off WWIII.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Emmett Fitz-Hume: “Every minute you don’t tell us why you are here, I cut off a finger.” – During an interrogation scene with Soviet agents, Emmett quips sarcastically about whose fingers are at risk.
• Emmett Fitz-Hume: “Mine or yours?” – Emmett asks after a Russian Interrogator threatens to cut off a finger.
• Austin Millbarge: “Doctor? Doctor? Doctor?” – Austin and Emmett repeatedly call out for a doctor in a crowded area as a diversion, which has become a recurring joke.
• Austin Millbarge: “Won’t you gentlemen have a Pepsi?” – Said by a contact, this line is a humorous password to a secret location, playing on Cold War tensions and product placement.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $22,000,000
• Domestic Gross: $60,106,536
• Worldwide Gross: $60,106,536

💥 Spies Like Us Reviews

Personal Review

I absolutely loved ‘Spies Like Us’ when I first saw it! The absurdity of the plot, combined with Chevy Chase’s dry wit and Dan Aykroyd’s manic energy, made it a classic for me. I especially enjoyed the training scenes and the ‘Doctor? Doctor!’ routine. It’s a fun, silly movie that never fails to make me laugh and think about how crazy the Cold War was.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of Chevy Chase and Dan Aykroyd”
  • “Viewers who enjoy 1980s comedies”
  • “People who like spy parodies”
  • “Those interested in Cold War-era humor”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Some suggestive humor”
  • “Slapstick violence”
  • “Mild language”

Professional Reviews

• Variety: “Aykroyd and Chase shine as unlikely heroes in this Cold War farce, which blends slapstick humor with a surprisingly relevant message. While some gags fall flat, the duo’s chemistry makes it worth a watch.
• The New York Times: “Though filled with cameos and sight gags, ‘Spies Like Us’ never quite reaches its comedic potential. Chase and Aykroyd are amusing, but the plot is convoluted, and the humor feels dated.
• Chicago Tribune: “John Landis delivers a broad comedy with moments of genuine hilarity. ‘Spies Like Us’ showcases the talents of Aykroyd and Chase, who embrace their roles as bumbling government agents with zeal.

Audience Reactions

The comedic timing of Chevy Chase and Dan Aykroyd is impeccable.: Viewers consistently praise the chemistry between Chase and Aykroyd and appreciate their ability to turn absurd situations into laugh-out-loud moments.

The movie is full of quotable lines and memorable scenes.: Many audience members fondly remember specific scenes and jokes, highlighting the film’s enduring comedic impact.

Overall Consensus: ‘Spies Like Us’ is a beloved 80s comedy with a strong cult following, mainly because of Chevy Chase and Dan Aykroyd’s impeccable comedic chemistry. While some humor feels dated, it remains a lighthearted and entertaining watch.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “The film originally had a darker ending where the world was destroyed, but test audiences disliked it, leading to a reshoot with a happier conclusion.”
• “Many directors made cameo appearances, including Terry Gilliam, Martin Brest, Joel Coen, Sam Raimi, and Frank Oz, reflecting John Landis’s connections within the film industry.”
• “Bob Hope’s cameo was a deliberate nod to the Hope and Crosby ‘Road to…’ movies, which served as an inspiration for the film’s comedic tone and globetrotting adventures.”

🖥️ How to Watch Spies Like Us?

Currently, “Spies Like Us” can be rented or purchased on various platforms such as Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play Movies, and Vudu. Availability may vary by region, so check your local listings. Check JustWatch.com for updated streaming availability.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Spies Like Us, you might like these similar films:

• Dr. Strangelove or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb (1964): Both films satirize the Cold War and the absurdity of nuclear deterrence with dark humor.
• The Blues Brothers (1980): Also directed by John Landis and starring Dan Aykroyd, it shares a similar comedic sensibility and over-the-top action.
• Stripes (1981): Another 1980s comedy featuring unlikely individuals thrust into a military scenario with humorous results.
• Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery (1997): Spoofs spy films with a focus on absurd situations and memorable characters.

🛒 Spies Like Us Related Products

• Spies Like Us Movie Poster: A high-quality reproduction of the original theatrical poster. Printed on premium paper to bring the film to life.
• Spies Like Us T-Shirt: High-quality cotton t-shirt featuring iconic imagery or memorable quotes from the film.
• Spies Like Us Blu-ray: Experience the film in high definition with improved audio and visual quality. Includes bonus features.

🎧 Soundtrack

Spies Like Us features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Spies Like Us” – performed by Paul McCartney

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

Cardiac Surgeon Breaks Down Surgeries From Movies & TV | GQ

Ever wondered how accurate those movie surgery scenes really are? This cardiac surgeon breaks down the surgery in ‘Spies Like Us’ – prepare to be surprised (or maybe not!) by what they got right (or wrong). It’s fascinating to see a professional’s take!

Spies Like Us — “That was a Russian wristwatch”

Remember that hilarious Russian wristwatch scene from ‘Spies Like Us’? This clip perfectly captures the movie’s humor. It’s a quick watch and guaranteed to bring back some laughs!

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