Agente juvenil

I get tired of pointing these things out to people, but this is a comedy. People complaining about that fact that's it's unrealistic seem to be missing something. At no point did the movie makers expect you to find this realistic.

It's an escapist teen fantasy. Ordinary guy gets to drive expensive car, meet cute women, and have an adventure.

Of COURSE it's ludricous. But it's cute and funny in a lot of spots. I laughed out loud many times BECAUSE it's silly. So if you prefer sophisticated humor, maybe this is not for you.

It's less silly than say Top Secret. It's more of a straight action/adventure - it's just that the premise is totally unrealistic and so is the protagonist - he goes from being clueless to saving the day. Don't expect James Bond here people - it's not supposed to be.

I give it 7 out of 10. Why? Because it made me laugh out loud in multiple spots. Which is the point to comedies.

(Why some people watch comedies when they lack of a sense of humor is beyond me - some of the comments made here indicate that they do, though :)

I am rating this to up the rating. And reviewing it, just to add my piece of mind.

First off, the french teacher. Hilarious. Best part of the whole movie. "I want all references to the operative, the french teacher." Next, the dialog. It's funny. Most of the time, it's great. At least I find it funny most of the time.

The lead actor did a pretty good job. He's as flat as a pancake. But I think he's supposed to be a superficial high school student. They could have made him a bit more bright. He does save the day in the end. And it would be slightly more believable if he came across as a bit brighter from the start. But, you know, it's a comedy. You can't be too critical.

I realize this is sort of a demographic movie. I am sure it's aimed at teens as a fantasy. At 45 though, I still appreciate a mindless fantasy/comedy/adventure. And this is a pretty good one. I think it deserves a better rating - I rate movies with based on similar movies. I don't compare this to Das Boot, for example. I compare it to say, Hackers or something like that.

Almost animated in its style is this 'James Bond' type flick from writers Fred Dekker and Darren Star about mistaken identity. "If Looks Could Kill" is comically entertaining for the most part, if very silly and extremely predictable.

William Dear has toned the violence right down and used cartoon characters acting out a cartoon script. Richard Grieco and the support cast (including Roger Rees, Robin Bartlett and Gabrielle Anwar) have fun and so do we, as long as we don't expect any serious cinema! Linda Hunt steals the show as the wicked lady with a whip for a necklace. "If Looks Could Kill" is good entertainment for youthful audiences.

Tuesday, September 3, 1991 - Knox District Centre

I remember seeing this with a bunch of my friends the night it came out. Back in seventh grade, I thought this was the coolest, funniest movie I'd ever seen. I wanted to BE Richard Grieco in that movie. I loved how he started out as a gawky American guy lost in Europe, and slowly transformed into an ersatz James Bond. It's not a big, great movie. Just a fun, humorous action flick. Gotta love Gabrielle Anwar in this. Roger Rees was also a very cool villain.

Overall, for a fun time that's not taxing on the brain, definitely rent this. I loved it back then, and I still do now.

If you're looking for any sort of award winning cinematic experience with deeply textured meaning this flick is not for you. However if you just want to relax with something that demands almost no thought but will give you more fun than it should this will be perfect.

A teen comedy mixed with spy spoof this was supposed to be the launch pad for current teen dream Richard Grieco. It didn't lead to a big career for him but he is appealing in the lead. His extremely over-waxed eyebrows aside he is attractive and humorous as a college student mistaken for a secret agent on a summer class field trip in Europe.

The script is silly and the situations ludicrous but there are two things that make this worth catching, the gadgets and the cast. Once the plot kicks in Grieco's character is outfitted with the sort of weapons, cars, etc that wouldn't be out of place in a Bond picture all utilized in a fun way.

The real strength of the film though is a cast that is far above what would be usual in this type of flick. Aside from Grieco's game performance there's Robin Bartlett's ever more flustered French Teacher who by the end is kicking butt and taking prisoners. Plus the totally unhinged evil duo of Roger Rees and Oscar winner Linda Hunt chewing the scenery and having a hell of a good time thereby providing the audience with one too. The rest of the cast also plays into the proper mood of lampooning the spy genre making this a breezy delight.

With Quebec standing in for Europe there are some beautiful locations and for any car lover some very cool vehicles. The definition of escapist fare.