Two inept CIA recruits (Chevy Chase, Dan Aykroyd) are chosen to act as decoy spies while the real spies complete a top secret mission, only the two don't know they aren't real spies. Hilarious Cold War comedy from John Landis in the tradition of the classic Hope & Crosby 'Road' movies. Despite some swearing and sexy parts (mild by Landis standards), this is a very old school type of comedy. The jokes come from putting two top comedians in funny situations and letting them cut loose. Aykroyd and Chase have perfect chemistry and timing. It's a shame that, unlike Hope & Crosby, they didn't do more than one movie like this. There's a great mix of verbal and physical comedy here. Lots of memorable lines and scenes. Love the music, too. A must for fans of Landis or the two stars. I would recommend it to fans of the old Road movies, as well.
101 Reviews
Comedians like Us
caspian19782 March 2005
Chevy Chase and Dan Aykroyd were at the height of their professional careers with the 80's "masterpiece" Spies Like Us. The cast alone makes this movie a triumph the 80's comedy. Although the same cast today would find itself on the video shelf and not the movie theaters, for the mid 80's this was a GIANT of a Hollywood cast. Second to only Doctor Strangelove, what other comedy is funnier when dealing with American / Russian relations during the cold war? Chevy and Aykroyd have terrific chemistry together that has been molded to perfection from their success on Saturday Night Live. The physical comedy in the first half of the movie is as funny as any Marx Brother film of its time. The comical situations that occur in the second half are as funny as any Blake Edwards production. Together, the movie is as funny as it gets for the 1980's.
What does KGB stand for?
CuriosityKilledShawn13 February 2010
I first saw Spies Like Us when I was a kid, when Chevy Chase was my favourite actor. I must have seen it about fifty times since then and I am almost word-perfect on the script. However, I've never owned the DVD since Warner have never released it in its original 1.85:1 aspect ratio. Thankfully it is currently available in HD on the PlayStation network.
Emmett Fitz-Hume and Austin Millbarge (Chase and Aykroyd) are two lowly government workers who are suddenly promoted to the elite GLG-20 spy status after they are caught cheating on a test. What they don't know is that they are just decoys to draw heat away from the real spies and are promptly dumped straight into enemy territory.
Chase and Aykroyd have great chemistry together and I'm surprised they didn't work together much after this (although they did hook up for The Couch Trip, Caddyshack 2 and Nothing But Trouble). There's loads of fun to had in watching them bumble from one zany situation from the next. And, as this is a Landis film, there are director cameos all over the place. Keep a lookout for Terry Gilliam, Martin Brest, Joel Coen, Sam Raimi etc.
Despite the fanbase, Warner have never showed this film any respect or given special treatment of any kind when it comes to the home video market. As I already said, as of yet the only DVD available is the fullscreen version from 1998. Even the HD version I watched was from a very murky print and has terrible sound. If Warner make a Blu Ray from this master it's still not worth buying.
Give it a rent unless a proper remaster is done. Which is unlikely.
Emmett Fitz-Hume and Austin Millbarge (Chase and Aykroyd) are two lowly government workers who are suddenly promoted to the elite GLG-20 spy status after they are caught cheating on a test. What they don't know is that they are just decoys to draw heat away from the real spies and are promptly dumped straight into enemy territory.
Chase and Aykroyd have great chemistry together and I'm surprised they didn't work together much after this (although they did hook up for The Couch Trip, Caddyshack 2 and Nothing But Trouble). There's loads of fun to had in watching them bumble from one zany situation from the next. And, as this is a Landis film, there are director cameos all over the place. Keep a lookout for Terry Gilliam, Martin Brest, Joel Coen, Sam Raimi etc.
Despite the fanbase, Warner have never showed this film any respect or given special treatment of any kind when it comes to the home video market. As I already said, as of yet the only DVD available is the fullscreen version from 1998. Even the HD version I watched was from a very murky print and has terrible sound. If Warner make a Blu Ray from this master it's still not worth buying.
Give it a rent unless a proper remaster is done. Which is unlikely.
Hilarious
thirdi31 October 2001
I'm surprised this movie isn't higher rated. No, it's not "Lawrence of Arabia" but not every movie has to be "artistically respectable". Just look at the names of the two main characters, Emmett Fitz-Hume and Austin Milbarge, and you know what you're in for.
Aykroyd and Chase are hilarious and this movie is a laugh a minute. Yes, there are dumb jokes, slapstick humor, ridiculous scenarios and odd cameos (doctor? doctor?)...But that's what's great about it, you just turn your brain off and take it in.
I've seen this movie a hundred times and could watch it a hundred more, I guess it's one of those "love it or hate it" things. But "we mock what we don't understand".
Aykroyd and Chase are hilarious and this movie is a laugh a minute. Yes, there are dumb jokes, slapstick humor, ridiculous scenarios and odd cameos (doctor? doctor?)...But that's what's great about it, you just turn your brain off and take it in.
I've seen this movie a hundred times and could watch it a hundred more, I guess it's one of those "love it or hate it" things. But "we mock what we don't understand".
Decent Comedy
gavin69421 August 2016
Two bumbling government employees (Aykroyd and Chase) think they are American spies, only to discover that they are actually decoys for Nuclear War.
"Spies Like Us" was met with mixed to negative reviews at the time of its 1985 release, though it has since been viewed more favorably and has developed something of a cult following in the years since. I cannot imagine this getting a negative review, though I understand why it might be mixed. This is obviously not the funniest comedy from either Aykroyd or Chase.
I suppose the popularity has grown because there is something about 80s comedies that can't be replicated. Some would say a second-rate 80s comedy is better than many since then. Even if Aykroyd and Chase starred in something now (2016), it would come nowhere near the possibility it had then.
"Spies Like Us" was met with mixed to negative reviews at the time of its 1985 release, though it has since been viewed more favorably and has developed something of a cult following in the years since. I cannot imagine this getting a negative review, though I understand why it might be mixed. This is obviously not the funniest comedy from either Aykroyd or Chase.
I suppose the popularity has grown because there is something about 80s comedies that can't be replicated. Some would say a second-rate 80s comedy is better than many since then. Even if Aykroyd and Chase starred in something now (2016), it would come nowhere near the possibility it had then.
great duo in ridiculous comedy
SnoopyStyle27 November 2015
Ruby and Keyes have a covert operation to hijack a Soviet nuclear missile launcher. General Sline suggests sending two decoy agents along with the real agents on the mission. Emmett Fitzhume (Chevy Chase) is a womanizing schemer taking the foreign service board exam. Brilliant code-breaker Austin Millbarge (Dan Aykroyd) is working in the basement under a sleazy boss who doesn't tell him about the exam until the last minute. Millbarge joins Fitzhume in his rampant cheating. They are caught and to their surprise, they are brought into the advance program. They are generally incompetent in training and sent to Afganistan. They are picked up by two agents who turn out to be Soviets. They escape and find Dr. Hadley who mistakes them for fellow doctors. Dr. Boyer (Donna Dixon) is part of the medical team working with the Afghan resistance.
It is completely stupid as a story. When Bob Hope walks into the tent in the middle of Afghanistan looking for his golf ball, the silly tone is irreversible. This relies on the strengths of Chase and Aykroyd. Chevy Chase acts like an ass and makes this funny. Aykroyd is a great neurotic sidekick without being annoying. They combine for a fun duo.
It is completely stupid as a story. When Bob Hope walks into the tent in the middle of Afghanistan looking for his golf ball, the silly tone is irreversible. This relies on the strengths of Chase and Aykroyd. Chevy Chase acts like an ass and makes this funny. Aykroyd is a great neurotic sidekick without being annoying. They combine for a fun duo.
A bit hit-and-miss but works, mostly
grantss13 May 2016
A bit hit-and-miss but works, mostly.
Two low-level government employees, Emmitt Fitz-Hume (played by Chevy Chase) and Austin Milbarge (Dan Aykroyd), are chosen for a top- secret CIA mission. They are unsuitable as CIA agents but are deliberately chosen for this reason, as their mission is a decoy one and they are expendable. After being fast-tracked through training they are parachuted into Pakistan where all manner of adventures await them.
Quite funny at times, but also very silly at times. Plot is pretty basic and some of the sub-plots are plain stupid. However, for the most part, it works.
The main reason for this is Chevy Chase. He gets some great lines and delivers them perfectly. Dan Aykroyd is fine as the straight man but it is Chevy Chase that makes the movie watchable.
Another positive is the pace of the movie. It is quite frenetic, so even if a scene is a dead end, it is over quickly and we move onto the next scene. The pace helps to cover up the blemishes.
Not a must-see, but there are worse ways to spend 100 or so minutes.
Two low-level government employees, Emmitt Fitz-Hume (played by Chevy Chase) and Austin Milbarge (Dan Aykroyd), are chosen for a top- secret CIA mission. They are unsuitable as CIA agents but are deliberately chosen for this reason, as their mission is a decoy one and they are expendable. After being fast-tracked through training they are parachuted into Pakistan where all manner of adventures await them.
Quite funny at times, but also very silly at times. Plot is pretty basic and some of the sub-plots are plain stupid. However, for the most part, it works.
The main reason for this is Chevy Chase. He gets some great lines and delivers them perfectly. Dan Aykroyd is fine as the straight man but it is Chevy Chase that makes the movie watchable.
Another positive is the pace of the movie. It is quite frenetic, so even if a scene is a dead end, it is over quickly and we move onto the next scene. The pace helps to cover up the blemishes.
Not a must-see, but there are worse ways to spend 100 or so minutes.
We leave national security in your hands.
lost-in-limbo19 July 2009
This saw the first pairing of comedians Chevy Chase and Dan Aykroyd (who later appear in 'Caddyshack II and 'Nothing but Trouble') in a John Landis successfully directed espionage/ Cold War comedy. What a choice of three to bring out the laughs, but I never found it to be the laugh riot that I was hoping. In the end it's a randomly transfixing buddy comedy in the vein of a Bob Hope/ Bing Crosby film (which the former has a sudden cameo in) that has two clueless undercover operatives used as foils to distract KGB from the actual operatives with an assignment. Landis loves his self-knowing, referential gags and Chase's dry style feels suitably catered to this, and Aykroyd complements the balance with his light touches. The timing is always on the mark. Plus let's not forget about the cameos of pals in for the fun including Frank Oz, Joel Coen, Sam Raimi, B.B King, Terry Gilliam, Martin Brest, Larry Cohen and Ray Harryhausen. Rounding off the entertaining performances was the beautiful Donna Dixon, larger than life Steve Forest, a sneaky Bruce Davison, slimly Jim Staahl and an attractive Vanessa Angel.
The humour ranges from slapstick shtick to comically witty exchanges (Chase's often quick replies) and deadpan acts, as the equipped story is a comedy of errors led by two hapless individuals which would end up saving the day in an unlikely manner. It's a fairly amusing and offbeat concept, as it holds surprises, its fast momentum never lets it sit too long on the one gag. There such a variety to the comic silliness and it goes out on a bang. The crystal clear European locations are exquisitely used in shots, and adds considerably well to the large-scale adventure directed by verve from Landis.
Landis would team up again with Chevy Chase a year later to bring us the even better '¡Three Amigos!' that would also star Steve Martin and Martin Short.
On a need to know basis good dashing, systematic fun.
The humour ranges from slapstick shtick to comically witty exchanges (Chase's often quick replies) and deadpan acts, as the equipped story is a comedy of errors led by two hapless individuals which would end up saving the day in an unlikely manner. It's a fairly amusing and offbeat concept, as it holds surprises, its fast momentum never lets it sit too long on the one gag. There such a variety to the comic silliness and it goes out on a bang. The crystal clear European locations are exquisitely used in shots, and adds considerably well to the large-scale adventure directed by verve from Landis.
Landis would team up again with Chevy Chase a year later to bring us the even better '¡Three Amigos!' that would also star Steve Martin and Martin Short.
On a need to know basis good dashing, systematic fun.
Straight Up Silly
flatworlder25 February 2006
I bought the DVD of this movie for six dollars. Best deal on a movie I've ever seen. Having been raised in the 90's I missed out on many of those fantastic 80's films. Dan and Chevy really make the movie work. Very few actors could have taken a movie with as little plot as Spies Like Us and turned into a funny soup bowl full of laughs. One more thing, perhaps the funniest scene in any movie happens early on. Where Chevy Chase is cheating on the test...Priceless. If you like over-the-top government action, with hilarious scenes and horrible attempts to hit on beautiful women. You'll love this movie.
If not...Then you need to take a moment to look at your life, relax, and just enjoy something every once in a while.
If not...Then you need to take a moment to look at your life, relax, and just enjoy something every once in a while.
While the comedic content is inconsistent, Chase and Aykroyd are awesome and play off each other perfectly.
kevin_robbins22 June 2022
Spies Like Us (1985) is a movie in my DVD collection that I recently watched for the first time in a long time on Tubi. The storyline follows two agents who flunked their spy exams. Government leaders feel these two are the perfect stooges to send over enemy lines and distract the Russians while the real spies are sent in to accomplish a top secret mission. When the real spies fail can the dummy spies succeed?
This movie is directed by John Landis (The Blues Brothers) and stars Chevy Chase (National Lampoon's Vacation), Dan Aykroyd (Ghostbusters), Heidi Sorenson (Fright Night), Frank Oz (The Muppets) and Bernie Casey (Revenge of the Nerds).
While the comedic content is inconsistent, Chase and Aykroyd are awesome and play off each other perfectly. I will say every joke that involves the male genitalia is outstanding and the training scenes are hilarious. I adore the autopsy scene every time I see it also. The final shootout is well done and unpredictable. The Russian snow bunnies are gorgeous and Sorenson is fire. The premise is unique and a fun addition to the comedic genre.
Overall this is far from Chase and Aykroyd's best work but it is still entertaining and worthwhile. I would score this a 6-6.5/10 and recommend seeing it once.
This movie is directed by John Landis (The Blues Brothers) and stars Chevy Chase (National Lampoon's Vacation), Dan Aykroyd (Ghostbusters), Heidi Sorenson (Fright Night), Frank Oz (The Muppets) and Bernie Casey (Revenge of the Nerds).
While the comedic content is inconsistent, Chase and Aykroyd are awesome and play off each other perfectly. I will say every joke that involves the male genitalia is outstanding and the training scenes are hilarious. I adore the autopsy scene every time I see it also. The final shootout is well done and unpredictable. The Russian snow bunnies are gorgeous and Sorenson is fire. The premise is unique and a fun addition to the comedic genre.
Overall this is far from Chase and Aykroyd's best work but it is still entertaining and worthwhile. I would score this a 6-6.5/10 and recommend seeing it once.
Consistently average comedy
gcd708 November 2007
Warning: Spoilers
John Landis combines with funny men Chevy Chase and Dan Aykroyd to bring us a rather silly film about two misfit secret service men who are assigned a very dangerous mission. In fact, unbeknown to them, they are decoys who have been thrown to the wolves.
Our two leads do manage to create some funny moments, but they never really hit top gear in a movie which is consistently average. Both Aykroyd and Chase have been better, and both have had better material to work with I'm sure.
Look out for a very funny cameo from one of the world's most loved entertainers. A definite highlight.
Friday, April 30, 1993 - T.V.
Our two leads do manage to create some funny moments, but they never really hit top gear in a movie which is consistently average. Both Aykroyd and Chase have been better, and both have had better material to work with I'm sure.
Look out for a very funny cameo from one of the world's most loved entertainers. A definite highlight.
Friday, April 30, 1993 - T.V.
Vintage Chevy Chase
PatriotsReign27 July 2005
For Chevy Chase fans, this film displays one of his vintage performances---right up there with a couple of his "Vacation" films and "Fletch." He and Dan Aykroyd form a great comedic duo with great chemistry that will leave you wanting for more.
The setting changes rapidly from DC, to Pakistan, to the former Soviet Union. Chase and Aykroyd are identified as expendable Department of State personnel, and therefore trained as covert agent decoys and tasked with an ultra top-secret mission deep inside Soviet territory. The newly appointed agent/spies don't realize they're decoys, but rather, think they're real agents on a real mission. Good stuff.
Together, their bumbling antics throughout agent training and their top-secret mission are good for steady laughs from beginning to end, as they find themselves playing the "accidental hero" role charged with saving the world.
Very scenic locations, some decent special effects (for the mid-80's), and some serious plot-twists amidst the silly humor enables "Spies Like Us" to hold the viewer's attention in-between comedic situations.
The setting changes rapidly from DC, to Pakistan, to the former Soviet Union. Chase and Aykroyd are identified as expendable Department of State personnel, and therefore trained as covert agent decoys and tasked with an ultra top-secret mission deep inside Soviet territory. The newly appointed agent/spies don't realize they're decoys, but rather, think they're real agents on a real mission. Good stuff.
Together, their bumbling antics throughout agent training and their top-secret mission are good for steady laughs from beginning to end, as they find themselves playing the "accidental hero" role charged with saving the world.
Very scenic locations, some decent special effects (for the mid-80's), and some serious plot-twists amidst the silly humor enables "Spies Like Us" to hold the viewer's attention in-between comedic situations.
Past its sell-by, but still pretty good.
Mr-Fusion29 September 2016
"Spies Like Us" kicks off with some great promise, but stalls out in the third act. Once Chase and Aykroyd actually get to Russia, the eccentric road movie gives way to WWIII farce that just doesn't click. That's kinda disappointing (and as John Landis' sweet '80s run goes, it's a middling effort), but even when it fizzles, it's still the good0natured brand of stupid.
That said, it's fun spotting the director cameos, and there are some good jokes here. Plus, the exam and surgery scenes are classic. My dad's been using the "Doctor. Doctor. Doctor." routine since for decades. It's not "Trading Places", but it's also no "Into the Night".
6/10
That said, it's fun spotting the director cameos, and there are some good jokes here. Plus, the exam and surgery scenes are classic. My dad's been using the "Doctor. Doctor. Doctor." routine since for decades. It's not "Trading Places", but it's also no "Into the Night".
6/10
Ambitious Chase/Aykroyd spy comedy, but only mildly amusing
Wuchakk20 June 2015
As the title implies, "Spies Like Us" (1985) is a globe-trotting spy comedy with Chevy Chase and Dan Aykroyd. There's a host of peripheral stars, like William Prince and the always excellent Bernie Casey, not to mention a cameo by none other than Bob Hope.
This is a fun movie and it's great to see Chase and Aykroyd when they were so young, the latter with a quintessential 80's haircut. The best highlights are the awesome globe-spanning locations and the two female co-stars, Donna Dixon and Vanessa Angel, but not enough is done with 'em. The film's just not funny enough and it's hard to believe the producers went to such great expense, but failed to hire writers who knew how to do comedy. We're left with a fun, but throwaway flick; even Hope's cameo is a waste of celluloid.
The film runs 102 minutes and was shot in Norway, Morocco, California and England.
GRADE: C
This is a fun movie and it's great to see Chase and Aykroyd when they were so young, the latter with a quintessential 80's haircut. The best highlights are the awesome globe-spanning locations and the two female co-stars, Donna Dixon and Vanessa Angel, but not enough is done with 'em. The film's just not funny enough and it's hard to believe the producers went to such great expense, but failed to hire writers who knew how to do comedy. We're left with a fun, but throwaway flick; even Hope's cameo is a waste of celluloid.
The film runs 102 minutes and was shot in Norway, Morocco, California and England.
GRADE: C
Setting the mid-80's standard...
tskerese24 February 2003
I loved this movie growing up, and it is one that I can still laugh at today. Chase and Aykroyd have always set the mid-80's standard of what was funny, and this movie proves it. Of course there are flaws, and it probably could've been better...but for what it's worth, I think it's definitely worth owning, let alone watching.
Judging by the comments given about Spies Like Us, it seems most people, in fact, do like it. Of course, it is meant to be a comedy and nothing else. If people were looking for a break-through in film by watching Spies Like Us, then, Yes...you would be let down.
Good characters, akward situations, nice changes in scenery, and classic one-liners....I'd give it an 8, overall.
Judging by the comments given about Spies Like Us, it seems most people, in fact, do like it. Of course, it is meant to be a comedy and nothing else. If people were looking for a break-through in film by watching Spies Like Us, then, Yes...you would be let down.
Good characters, akward situations, nice changes in scenery, and classic one-liners....I'd give it an 8, overall.
Formula fun.
Peach-25 July 1999
Spies Like Us is a very silly movie. It takes the basic premise of the fish out of water plot, then throws Dan Aykroyd and Chevy Chase into the mix, and what you get is some very funny moments and alot of wasted oppurtunity. I enjoyed the film and thought it had some very funny moments between Aykroyd and Chase, the funniest being the testing sequences. Still some will enjoy, others will wonder.
For fans only
ODDBear13 January 2006
If you're a fan of Chevy Chase or Dan Aykroyd, or both, it's easy to recommend Spies Like Us. Fans of these performers will get a kick out of seeing them do their things and, at times, their interplay is simply hilarious. But the film's uneven tone, ranging from semi-serious to complete slapstick, is damaging and makes for a rather silly conclusion.
It's basically a series of set pieces that tie the plot together and the funny ones all come in the film's first half; Chase trying to cheat on an exam, the pair disguised as doctors and prepping for surgery are two hilarious scenes. But in the end the film goes for an outrageous and silly resolution that undermines all that preceded it (sort of like 1981's Stripes).
Fans of these actors will find plenty to enjoy though, but I'm not so sure about the others.
It's basically a series of set pieces that tie the plot together and the funny ones all come in the film's first half; Chase trying to cheat on an exam, the pair disguised as doctors and prepping for surgery are two hilarious scenes. But in the end the film goes for an outrageous and silly resolution that undermines all that preceded it (sort of like 1981's Stripes).
Fans of these actors will find plenty to enjoy though, but I'm not so sure about the others.
The Chemistry Between Aykroyd and Chase is Great,but the Script had More Potential,
lesleyharris3025 July 2012
Spies Like Us is a good movie with a well written storyline and a great comedic cast.I am a huge fan of both Chevy Chase and Dan Akroyd,but this movie had a lot of more potential than what it delivers,the story was interesting and definitely was an easy set up for some great laughs.The chemistry between Chase and Aykroyd is the highlight and certainly what made this movie a lot better,there are many scenes that had me laughing but it didn't keep me interested all the way through.Has its moments and is definitely worth a watch if you see it on television,but don't bother going out of your way to see Spies Like Us.
Two bungling bureaucrats are chosen by the CIA for a top secret mission,unaware that they are only decoys.
Best Performance: Chevy Chase
Two bungling bureaucrats are chosen by the CIA for a top secret mission,unaware that they are only decoys.
Best Performance: Chevy Chase
First part of the movie is very funny.
Aaron13754 April 2003
The first half of this flick, I found was very funny. Unfortunately, though it loses its energy and is only worth a few chuckles. It is still ok, but it just isn't laugh out loud funny. Two guys are recruited to be spies, though they are actually just decoys for the real spies. The test scene and the training scenes are the best part of this film. Dan and Chevy are very funny in these scenes and work well with each other. After the training though it just isn't the same. There is a funny scene where they pose as doctors and a few other scenes here and there. Then there are these long stretches where nothing really happens, and things that don't really seem to belong in a comedy. Like the scene where you see all this screens and stuff opening up to try and destroy the missile. The plot really strays near the end as well.
Daft Fun...
eskimosound4 May 2020
Great comic pairing - why didn't we get more of these two?
Leofwine_draca4 September 2016
SPIES LIKE US is a likable 1980s comedy that basically consists of Chevy Chase and Dan Aykroyd goofing around for just over an hour and a half. There's no more or less to it than that, but as a fan of the two actors I was completely fine with the premise. The story brings in a Cold War background and features the two stars as 'decoy' agents parachuted into Asia in order to do battle with the nefarious Russians.
I think Chase and Aykroyd are two of the funniest comedians of the era so watching them get the opportunity to team up is a no-brainer for me. Chase plays as always the showier role of the two and peaks earlier with the hilarious exam room set-piece. Aykroyd is slightly more subtle and offers plenty of warm character humour from his nerdy agent. The rambling storyline is basic and episodic but the jokes come thick and fast and there's a good mix of wry and witty one-liners, slapstick humour, and more surreal moments.
The film was directed by John Landis who as ever does a good job with it and takes the time to throw in a few film references for the fans, including cameos for Terry Gilliam, Ray Harryhausen, and even Bob Hope. Sam Raimi and Joel Coen are also present in blink-and-you'll-miss-'em parts. The ending is a little contrived but when the overall result is a good-natured comedy with two stars at the top of their game then it's difficult to criticise too much.
I think Chase and Aykroyd are two of the funniest comedians of the era so watching them get the opportunity to team up is a no-brainer for me. Chase plays as always the showier role of the two and peaks earlier with the hilarious exam room set-piece. Aykroyd is slightly more subtle and offers plenty of warm character humour from his nerdy agent. The rambling storyline is basic and episodic but the jokes come thick and fast and there's a good mix of wry and witty one-liners, slapstick humour, and more surreal moments.
The film was directed by John Landis who as ever does a good job with it and takes the time to throw in a few film references for the fans, including cameos for Terry Gilliam, Ray Harryhausen, and even Bob Hope. Sam Raimi and Joel Coen are also present in blink-and-you'll-miss-'em parts. The ending is a little contrived but when the overall result is a good-natured comedy with two stars at the top of their game then it's difficult to criticise too much.
Comedy school dropouts
CherryBlossomBoy21 July 2015
The essence of "Spies like us" is best captured in the scene where candidates take the exam for secret service. The two dead-beats, Chase's and Aykroyd's characters, approach it completely unprepared, save for the cheat-sheets and attitude. Their charade is painfully obvious to the exam supervisor, they know it's obvious yet carry on with it to the bitter end. When I saw this flick again, 30 years after I loved it as a kid, I felt like that supervisor: "Are they for real? Do they really think they can get away with it?". He wasn't impressed with their attempt at passing the exam, I wasn't impressed with their lazy attempt at comedy.
Indeed, the key people involved don't appear they're even trying. There were four screenwriters in this and they still managed to underwrite the script. There are too few jokes, and many of them are just too dumb. Not funny, dumb. Like that whole training sequence, for instance. As if they put in all they had, and it was barely enough so they couldn't afford to throw the rubbish out.
Then there are stars of the flick. Chevy Chase goes with his usual devil-may-care routine which is okay when script leaves him something to subvert. When he has nothing to do, he is unfunny. He is just squirming there, like a dog that waits to be taken out for a walk. On the other hand, Dan Aykroyd, who co-wrote the screenplay, acts all too smugly, winking at the audience that he's in on all the jokes. His delivery in the "doctor... doctor... doctor..." scene is a perfect example of ruining a gag you're supposed to deliver in a sincere, deadpan fashion. But Aykroyd doesn't want to be perceived as dumb by the audience. That's his problem in other films, too.
John Landis topped them all by putting so little effort in the directing, I wonder if he was there at all. In that period his mind was probably more on trying to get cleared of that triple manslaughter charge than on putting together a funny film. Either that or he was too full of himself to care. After all he had so many hits under his belt already, "Trading Places" included. Nothing of his talent is visible here. Pedestrian camera angles, shots that could use a lot of trimming and giving too much freedom to principal cast. Many times I felt I was watching outtakes, when camera was left just rolling and nobody yelled "cut". Hell, almost every scene with Chase and Aykroyd looked like an outtake. The film plods most of the running time, picking up tempo only towards the end somewhat.
All in all, too bad, because the rest of the cast have done their job and the premise had potential. The idea of two wannabe spies sent to USSR to serve as a decoy for two real spies on an important Cold War mission, where the wannabes end up saving the day instead of the pros, works both as a spoof of the genre and as a pure slapstick comedy. Ironically, you'll find more laughs and slapstick in the films they spoofed.
Indeed, the key people involved don't appear they're even trying. There were four screenwriters in this and they still managed to underwrite the script. There are too few jokes, and many of them are just too dumb. Not funny, dumb. Like that whole training sequence, for instance. As if they put in all they had, and it was barely enough so they couldn't afford to throw the rubbish out.
Then there are stars of the flick. Chevy Chase goes with his usual devil-may-care routine which is okay when script leaves him something to subvert. When he has nothing to do, he is unfunny. He is just squirming there, like a dog that waits to be taken out for a walk. On the other hand, Dan Aykroyd, who co-wrote the screenplay, acts all too smugly, winking at the audience that he's in on all the jokes. His delivery in the "doctor... doctor... doctor..." scene is a perfect example of ruining a gag you're supposed to deliver in a sincere, deadpan fashion. But Aykroyd doesn't want to be perceived as dumb by the audience. That's his problem in other films, too.
John Landis topped them all by putting so little effort in the directing, I wonder if he was there at all. In that period his mind was probably more on trying to get cleared of that triple manslaughter charge than on putting together a funny film. Either that or he was too full of himself to care. After all he had so many hits under his belt already, "Trading Places" included. Nothing of his talent is visible here. Pedestrian camera angles, shots that could use a lot of trimming and giving too much freedom to principal cast. Many times I felt I was watching outtakes, when camera was left just rolling and nobody yelled "cut". Hell, almost every scene with Chase and Aykroyd looked like an outtake. The film plods most of the running time, picking up tempo only towards the end somewhat.
All in all, too bad, because the rest of the cast have done their job and the premise had potential. The idea of two wannabe spies sent to USSR to serve as a decoy for two real spies on an important Cold War mission, where the wannabes end up saving the day instead of the pros, works both as a spoof of the genre and as a pure slapstick comedy. Ironically, you'll find more laughs and slapstick in the films they spoofed.
Cold War comedy at its best
file8313 April 2018
This is up there with Dr. Strangelove as hilarious col war comedy which delivers on the message that nuclear warfare is human folly. Dan Akroid and Chevy Chase at their prime. War Games in 1983 is another entertaining approach to this topic, though with less comedy and more suspense.
Good entertainment right here...
paul_haakonsen16 September 2022
I had the opportunity to sit down and watch "Spies Like Us" again here in 2022. And having loved the movie during my teenage years, of course I needed no persuasion to sit down and watch director John Landis's movie yet again.
The 1985 comedy adventure "Spies Like Us" from writers Dave Thomas, Dan Aykroyd, Lowell Ganz and Babaloo Mandel is a movie that can be watched again and again. And that is a testimony to the writers ability to create a funny, entertaining and timeless storyline and script.
"Spies Like Us" has a lot of laughs to it, while it actually presents the audience with a good and entertaining storyline that lets the audience feel as if they are almost right there alongside Emmett Fitz-Hume (played by Chevy Chase) and Austin Milbarge (played by Dan Aykroyd).
The cast ensemble in "Spies Like Us" is great, and with the comedy talents of Chevy Chase and Dan Aykroyd in the leading roles, you know what you are getting here. And they do deliver exactly that. Aside from Chase and Aykroyd, "Spies Like Us" has the likes of Donna Dixon, Bruce Davison, Steve Forrest, Tom Hatten, William Prince and Bernie Casey on the cast list as well.
This is definitely a timeless comedy, and it can be seen again and again. If you haven't already seen this mid-1980s comedy, then you most certainly should do so, should you find yourself with the chance.
My rating of "Spies Like Us" lands on a six out of ten stars.
The 1985 comedy adventure "Spies Like Us" from writers Dave Thomas, Dan Aykroyd, Lowell Ganz and Babaloo Mandel is a movie that can be watched again and again. And that is a testimony to the writers ability to create a funny, entertaining and timeless storyline and script.
"Spies Like Us" has a lot of laughs to it, while it actually presents the audience with a good and entertaining storyline that lets the audience feel as if they are almost right there alongside Emmett Fitz-Hume (played by Chevy Chase) and Austin Milbarge (played by Dan Aykroyd).
The cast ensemble in "Spies Like Us" is great, and with the comedy talents of Chevy Chase and Dan Aykroyd in the leading roles, you know what you are getting here. And they do deliver exactly that. Aside from Chase and Aykroyd, "Spies Like Us" has the likes of Donna Dixon, Bruce Davison, Steve Forrest, Tom Hatten, William Prince and Bernie Casey on the cast list as well.
This is definitely a timeless comedy, and it can be seen again and again. If you haven't already seen this mid-1980s comedy, then you most certainly should do so, should you find yourself with the chance.
My rating of "Spies Like Us" lands on a six out of ten stars.
Not so good.
sheepmonk20006 June 2011
Warning: Spoilers
This film is not so good. It's definitely watchable mind, but in terms of it been funny, well it fails on all counts. The script is amusing, but it's by no means gut busting. Chevy Chase character is undeniably the funnier out of the two, but like I said only funny to the point of creating a couple of wry smiles here and there.
As for the story, well, it feels like old familiar territory and the film itself looks and feels as though it was made on a purse string budget. Some of the dialogue is kind of weak by the supporting cast but the main two leads certainly have the best lines in the film. So all in all, this film ain't that bad but it ain't that good either. 4/10.
As for the story, well, it feels like old familiar territory and the film itself looks and feels as though it was made on a purse string budget. Some of the dialogue is kind of weak by the supporting cast but the main two leads certainly have the best lines in the film. So all in all, this film ain't that bad but it ain't that good either. 4/10.
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