Get Smart

 Image by wenn.com

Steve Carell and Anne Hathaway were in Rome last night for the premiere of Get Smart, and the publicists made it clear that personal questions were strictly forbidden on the red carpet. But there's always one in the crowd that ruins it for everyone!

One reporter thought the premiere was a great time to ask Anne if the separation from her ex-boyfriend was painful. Considering Raffaello is currently in prison awaiting trial on a dozen counts, we think it's safe to say Anne is a little uneasy at the moment. But it was Anne's co-star Steve Carell who saved the day.

After the question was posed, he stepped in and declared, "In my role of agent for] Miss Hathaway, I would like to say that she does not answer questions relating to this subject."

Way to go Steve! He made it funny but also got his point across. He seems like such a great guy, on and off screen.

"Get Smart" could've been like 99% of TV to movie trainwrecks, but thanks to the comic timing of Steve Carell and great directing, it miraculously manages to please old fans and even makes a few new ones.

Maxwell Smart is a wannabe secret agent for the spy agency CONTROL. He's an analytical genius who translates conversations of enemy spies all over the world. But like the Hollywood director who really wants to write, Max desires to be an agent out in the field like his idol Agent 23 (Dwayne Johnson). Although he drops 150 pounds and finally passes his exam (after the 8th time), he's deemed to be too valuable as an analyst by the Chief (Alan Arkin).

When CONTROL's agents and headquarters are compromised, it's up to Max and Agent 99 to infiltrate the stronghold of their terrorist organization KAOS and stop them from nuclear blackmail. He's given cool gadgets (that he manages to misuse and nearly impales himself) by CONTROL geeks Nate Torrence and Masi Oka (Hiro on Heroes). When they're not helping Max, they're being bullied by Agent 91 & Larabee. Bill Murray also makes a funny, tree-filled cameo as Agent 13.

After seeing the trailers of the movie, I thought it would be horrible, but I couldn't have been more wrong. Steve Carell was smart enough to pay homage to the Don Adams without doing an impersonation. While both versions are unflappable and clueless at times, Carell's Max has his own charm and innocence that makes you want to root for him all the same.

Anne Hathaway as 99 adds a new dimension to the character as a veteran spy forced to team up with the new Max. She resents him at first, but falls for his confidence and charm. Hathaway comes across as hard at first, but shows a tender moment and eerily channels Barbara Feldon when she says "Oh, Max."

Dwayne Johnson (sans "Rock") really gets to shine as a rock star secret agent with a secret to hide. He really comes into his own taking a chance by flexing his comedic muscles and manages a very awkward kiss with a main star (I won't spoil it).

Bad guy Siegfried (Terence Stamp) lacks the campiness of his 60's counterpart, but brings a scarier bad guy into 2008. His assistant Sharker (Ken Davitian) more than makes up for it as his lackey Shtarker, who would throw his boss under the bus (literally) if it got him a promotion.

Director Peter Segal (The Longest Yard, 50 First Dates) is no stranger to great comedic actors, having directed Adam Sandler in "The Longest Yard" and it shows here as he keeps Carell on track and letting him create his own Max even while using familiar catch phrases such as "Missed it by that much". The special effects are great especially Hathaway's fight scenes and the use of Max's gadgets new and old, such as the shoe phone made famous in the TV show. Segal even manages to squeeze in a Bernie Kopell (The original Seigfried) cameo into the movie (points off for not putting Barbara Feldon in).

Staying true to the original while making us fall in love with an all-new Max and 99 is something everyone concerned deserves kudos for. Somehow you know Don Adams and William Platt are checking out the new version "and loving it."

Billy Tatum gives "Get Smart" 4 and a half Scoops.

We know what you’re thinking...another remake? But this one is hilarious! If you don’t believe us take funnyman Steve Carrell’s word.

Carrell who takes on the role of Maxwell Smart in the Mel Brooks comedy “Get Smart” vouched to Hollyscoop at the Los Angeles film premiere. He said people should watch this film because it’s hilarious.

Indeed it is, with a cast which includes Ken Davitian and a scene which involves Carrell kissing once wrestler now turned movie star Dwayne Johnson (The Rock).

In the fight scene toward the end of the film, Carell fails to escape Johnson as Agent 23 so he uses lip locking as his ultimate weapon of defense.

When Hollyscoop caught up with Johnson on the red carpet, he said that “kissing Steve Carell” was the best experience he had while making the movie.

The film also stars the beautiful Anne Hathaway who was in great spirits despite reports that she spilt from her longtime beau, Raffaello Follieri, over the weekend.

Although she didn’t discuss her personal life, she did mention to Hollyscoop that making “Get Smart” was “one of the best experiences I've ever had in my life.”

The 1960s spy parody TV show turned film adaptation also stars Alan Arkin, Terence Stamp, James Caan, Masi Oka, Nate Torrence and David Koechner.

To check out our special movie premiere coverage and interviews click on the video below.

 Image by PR Photos

Ken Davitian is getting his big break in Hollywood. Ken has a lineup of projects since his days running naked in “Borat”.

Ken will star in the film adaptation of Mel Brooks and Buck Henry's hit 1960s spy parody television show "Get Smart" alongside Steve Carrell and Anne Hathaway. Hollyscoop caught up with Ken at the “Leatherheads” movie premiere in Hollywood, where he gave us the scoop on the film.

We also asked if Ken will be making a cameo in Sacha Baron Cohen’s latest flick “Bruno” and he said he was not apart of the project, but would love to be in it. Ken also revealed he’s making a pilot with Bernie Mac. Check out the video below.