Aykroyd is smart.
Chase is a dunce.
Landis killed three people in 1982.I'm sad that John Landis is one of my most-watched directors this year, so I hope to steer clear of his films (at least until I rewatch 'An American Werewolf In London' in October). He's directed great comedies before, such as the movie he began filming mere months after The Twilight Zone incident called 'Trading Places' starring my beloved Dan Aykroyd (who was also in that one movie where John Landis killed those people) and Eddie Murphy (who didn't testify for Landis' character at his negligence trial regarding the Twilight Zone). It's a good comedy that comments on capitalism and trading. 'Spies Like Us' tries to comment on the 1980s era of the Cold War, keywords: tries to.
To echo my friend's review, Aykroyd is the only enjoyable part of this movie. I've grown to love Aykroyd from his films to his interviews (check out the Unplugged video, it's great), and he's incredibly charming here. He plays these eccentric, yet smart, characters well. Chevy Chase has worked well in movies like 'Vacation', but his style doesn't work here. His character is extremely unlikable, but not in a fun way. Some of Aykropyd and Chase's banter is fun, but it juxtaposes a rather meandering experience. Most of the women characters are there more pushing the story than giving them actual character. This is funny considering how much better Jamie Lee Curtis' character was in 'Trading Places', even if you could argue that they objectified her character more.
While there is some commentary about the manufacture of wars, it's not in the service of a good movie. Landis' direction never goes fully outrageous enough for this ridiculous story. In something like 'Blues Brothers', even the most mundane thing is presented interestingly, but 'Spies Like Us' misses that care.
It could have been worse, but it could have been a whole lot better.
Also, John Landis should have never made this movie, because he should have been blacklisted.
Every Landis review will be me repeating this.
