Espía por error

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

If you're looking for a comedy that teases at every spy movie you've ever seen, then this is it. I saw the movie years ago as a teenager and loved it. While its not the most serious movie in the world, its excellent for a good time and a good laugh. That was what the movie was designed for and I believe it pulls it off well. I watched it with my loved one recently (his first time seeing it) and we laughed all the way through it. Take it with a grain of salt (after all it IS a comedy) and go in expecting nothing in particular. If you do, you'll see all of the serious spy movie scenes done with a twist of humor that will make you laugh and shout "Of course!" when something explodes for no real reason. I love the "teen spy guy" way that this movie was conducted. And I feel it wasn't rated as well as it should have been. This is a fun movie if you're in the mood for something silly. The car chase at the beginning is really neat. Love the cars. And I have to say that the scene with the female assassin at the hotel was one of the funniest things I have ever seen. Its just too ridiculously classic. You will not regret it.

A stupid but pretty entertaining James Bond-type action flick, this features comedy a lot more than it does action. There were enough funny lines in the comedy to make it a keeper in my collection for awhile. Like the Bond movies, there were also a good number of clever gadgets.

The story is preposterous, so you can't take any of it seriously.There is too much macho baloney from the young hero in here, played by Richard Grieco, not a household name but a decent actor. Speaking of acting, Robin Bartlett, who plays the French teacher, overacts terrible and is just plain annoying. It's no wonder we've never heard her name before.

Action scenes range from pretty good to incredibly stupid.

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.

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.