Spy vs. Spy

Rating: 9/10 (24 June 2014)

Couples to me are never really entertaining to me without friction. It's hard to say why, may'be it's because though friction both are able to exercise certain emotions and feelings they never can never express to other or themselves.
This is an action film that I think is just a bit under the radar. OK not exactly but as time went on it has became a bit forgotten, which is a strange thing to say.
I really love the concept which I think is colorful idea for an espionage story but also a romance story if you can believe that. Yeah I know it seems like a bit coincidental a one in a million shot that two superspys or assassins would meet and fall in love. But cmon this is a movie, and hey like all coincidences whose to say it can't happen.
I really like the fact that this is an espionage/hit-man movie that is actually fun and personally their the kind I like because they make the intrigue move a lot faster and have more creative freedom, the only other film I can think of is "Grose Point Blank" another under the radar gem. I also like the fact that is one of those romance film to me that work because this is a could that are adults and are in a long time relationship.
This film is pretty much almost a live action version of Mad Magazine's Spy vs. Spy which was simply about one trying to kill the other in different colorful clever ways, which is something both of them are doing throughout most of the film.
I really like the dialog and the dry witty humor and there is a lot of it. Like in a neighborhood party sequence I can't help but chuckle a little as we see both are kinda board which just shows how the suburban existence doesn't' really suit both of them, their both out of place which is a feeling I can emphasize with it make no sense doing what you don't want to do. Or even my favorite which is the dinner between both John and Jane as it's really a game of psych out, trying to draw out But I just love the chemistry between both John and Jane, both of course played well by Brad Pitt and Angeline Jolie both one of my favorite actors, having both of them together was at the time something I never thought would happen (I said at the time)so this was kinda a dream come true for me.
It's true we don't truly know both John and Jane fully, but that's the point. Both are spys/assassins after all, hence their first names. But I also think that's what makes both their characters all the more interesting, knowing too much about a character to me makes the well of interest run dry. The reason both are on the rocks are the fact that both haven't been 100% honest with one another, simple misunderstandings, but also that they've forgotten those feelings from the past.
It's kinda funny and suspenseful as we see both are just clashing once the cat is out of the bag on who they both really are. You could say in a way it's a blackly humorous metaphor on how couples work out their problems with one another (well sort of); both John and Jane really take it to the next level in this film. But despite the conflict there feelings for each other are reigniting making both their feelings and the conflict even more hotter. Despite how hard both are fighting they don't hate each other, heck in each snafu they devised after another on each other they couldn't kill each other that should say something to both of them.
And both we can see are the same, I like how we see a parallel contrast between them as we get a glimpse at both their secret agencies which in a way are sort of two schools of espionage. John's is pretty much more low key sort of looks like an old detective agency like you'd see in the noirs or the old spy novels, while Jane's is more high tech and up to date like CTU in the TV show "24". It's also kinda funny how Jane's agency consists only of women but no men which is kinda strange but also a homage joke to the TV show "Charlies Angels" they also have a unseen boss whom is only a voice on a phone (cameo voiced by Keith David whom is another favorite actor of mine). But this also makes the conflict sort of a clash of the sexes and two schools of espionage action.
The action sequences I think are great and memorable. From the fight at some Wal-Mart like store which is one of my favorite battles, I always love battles that take place in those areas because their colorful, have all kinds of places to hide but also any items you need.
However the most memorable battle and to me personally is one of my favorite one on one battles is of course seeing both Jane and John shoot it out and duke it out in their own home. I really like how the gunfight and even the fistfight is choreographed in that sequence because it takes place in a condensed space, though it doesn't look too fancily choreography which makes it almost a bit realistic mainly the fist fight if you can believe that. It's also a bit suspenseful because it really feels like a 50 50 battle it could be anyones game.
It is said friction is what creates fire. And these two have made a forest fire.
Rating: 3 and a half stars