Grade: B-

This movie version of Get Smart lacks a lot of the charm and quirkiness of the old television series.  Steve Carrell steps into the role of Maxwell Smart, rookie agent 86.  The part seems tailor made for Carrell, it’s not a big stretch for him acting-wise given the other characters he has played so well. Max is also a little dry, a little clueless, a little overconfident.  Dwayne Johnson (who dropped the nickname “Rock” for this movie) is suave, experienced agent 23.  Anne Hathaway is charming as the love interest, agent 99.  Max and 99 get set up on a case, Max is inept, but smarter than the bad guys.  99 falls for him, but doesn’t have confidence in his abilities.  Misunderstandings and hilarity ensue, and all’s well that ends well… of course!