Brad Pitt is a friggin’ bad-ass guy, and Angelina Jolie is a top-notch, smokin’ woman. They are both good actors (not the best in the business, but better than many of their compatriots), and are just damn likable. For this reason alone (and one other that I’ll explain in a bit), “Mr. and Mrs. Smith” works as a piece of mindless entertainment. As an action/thriller/romance/whatever, it stinks. Luckily, for most of the movie, the “thriller” aspect of the story doesn’t come into play; because when it does, it blows it.
“Mr. and Mrs. Smith” tells the story of John and Jane Smith (nope, I’m not kidding), a loving couple who are both secretly working as assassins for separate murder-for-hire organizations. Somehow, these two are married for over six years, and yet neither ever suspects what the other is hiding. But I digress… One day, John and Jane are both assigned to assassinate the other, leading both to learn of each other’s true professions. This leads to an all-out, balls-to-the-wall brawl that is some serious fun. Unfortunately, its only fun if you don’t stop and think about what’s going on.
This movie is absolutely riddled with logic problems, like the aforementioned six years of marriage/no clue glitch. It damn near takes all the fun out of the movie. Thankfully, about one third of the way through, I realized this and stopped thinking too much. I was thusly able to enjoy myself for the remainder of the film. However, I’m sure that upon repeated viewings, I’ll just plain hate this flick.
There are three bright spots in the movie, which help to blind the viewer’s observation of the plot holes and inconsistencies: Brad, Angelina, and Vince Vaughn, who plays the film’s only truly comedic character, Eddie (John Smith’s boss). As I said earlier, Brad and Angelina are just damn cool. Vince Vaughn is always funny, and manages to steal every scene he’s in. This guy needs to be put into every bloody movie Hollywood makes. I wonder who I’d talk to about that…?
In summation, “Mr. and Mrs. Smith” is a flick that often misfires, but only if you are paying attention to the plot. If you’re mind is stuck on Mr. Pitt and Ms. Jolie (oh, and damn sure don’t forget Mr. Vaughn), you’ll probably enjoy yourself. This is, I must say, definitely a see-it-one-time-only deal. As a matter of fact, this is the kind of movie I’d recommend everyone wait to rent. You really won’t be missing too much. If you must see a brilliant performance by any of the film’s stars, see Brad in “Se7en,” Angelina in “Gia,” and Vince in pretty much anything – anything but this, that is.
– Isorion
- Interview with J.R. Bookwalter - January 22, 2015
- Interview with Andrew J. Rausch - January 22, 2015
- Interview with Rick Popko and Dan West - January 22, 2015
- Interview with Director Stevan Mena (Malevolence) - January 22, 2015
- Interview with Screenwriter Jeffery Reddick (Day of the Dead 2007) - January 22, 2015
- Teleconference interview with Mick Garris (Masters of Horror) - January 22, 2015
- A Day at the Morgue with Corri English (Unrest) - January 22, 2015
- Interview with Writer/Director Nacho Cerda (The Abandoned, Aftermath) - January 22, 2015
- Interview with Actress Thora Birch (Dark Corners, The Hole, American Beauty) - January 22, 2015
- Interview with Actor Jason Behr, Plus Skinwalkers Press Coverage - January 22, 2015
