Thoroughly enjoyable, if conventional popcorn flick...

Rating: 7/10 (5 June 2006)

This is a hard movie to not enjoy. Yes, a true afternoon popcorn pleaser, "Mr. and Mrs. Smith" takes off in flight early and never fails to keep your attention.
The plot is solid, enjoyable, and not too twisty. It keeps you interested all the way through. There aren't many moments to sit on your laurels and rest a bit--the director keeps the gas on the floor throughout.
Is the Brad-and-Angelina chemistry Hepburn-and-Tracy chemistry? Well, perhaps not, but really awfully close. Brad and Angelina bounce off each other kinetically and beautifully. I used to despise Brad's vague surfer-esquire Keanu-like delivery, but I'm starting to really like him as an actor, albeit his "range" will never win him an Oscar (unlike Tracy).
Angelina melts the camera lens every time. Not much more to say other than she's simply spectacular. As long as her cheekbones, skin, and lips hold up--another 10-15 years you think?--she's got a long career ahead of her if she chooses it. Hard to believe she was the techie vixen in "Hackers." This is a movie that centers ENTIRELY on Brad and Angelina, with the exception of Vince Vaughn playing his usual hungover ADD rapid-fire stereotype that remains virtually changed since "Swingers" came out 10 years ago. Like Ben Stiller, his delivery and style never changes from one movie to the next, but that's why I like him (unlike Stiller, who comes across flat across all his movies).
The action sequences also double effectively as interludes for a kind of romantic comedy. There's some genuinely hilarious one-liners throughout. I give the director (and editor, most likely) credit for integrating these neatly into the film.
Many of the action sequences, especially the final one, are completely unbelievable. I found myself laughing when they are SURROUNDED by 15 special ops guys with Uzis who can't seem to hit the broad side of a barn. But that's Hollywood for you, isn't it?
This would have been a lot more fun to watch in a theater, but, alas, unless I get a 60" HDTV deposited on my door step today, I'll have to enjoy it in all its squished analog 480p glory.
In short: Completely worth a watch.