Move over, 007, there’s a new international super agent on the scene, and her gadgets are just as cool as yours, even if they are disguised as feminine products and rape whistles. Such are the good natured and raucous gags in Spy, starring the infinitely talented Melissa McCarthy at her absolute best. My only complaint about this film is that they made it spicy enough to earn an R-rating–I think younger kids could have really enjoyed it too.

The premise is superb: McCarthy plays Susan Cooper, a CIA analyst who is the voice in the ear of a super spy played by Jude Law. Susan can see and hear everything via the cameras in his contact lenses and from overhead satellite views, and is able to warn him of impending danger. But when disaster strikes and his fellow agent, (Jason Statham), goes rogue, Susan must go undercover to solve the crime. The running gag of the CIA head (Allison Janney) giving Susan offensively mundane identities carries throughout the film, all the way into the final credits, and never gets old. Nor does seeing Statham play a kick ass bumbler, rather than a kick ass hero or bad guy.

McCarthy is sublimely re-teamed with an international bad girl played Rose Byrne of Bridesmaids fame. But Byrne is not the only Bridesmaids alumnus who worked on Spy. The entire project was spearheaded, as in written, directed and produced, by Paul Feig, who also produced and directed McCarthy in Bridesmaids and The Heat, with Sandra Bullock. He has a particular affinity for bringing out the best McCarthy has to give, and will be working with her again in Ghostbusters III. I can’t wait for that one.

I think it’s brilliant counter-programming for Spy to open opposite Entourage at the cineplex. One option features nearly naked, nubile young females who make most of us feel like crap, and the other features regular-sized women who make us feel like we, too can conquer the world. Go Spy!

1 Hour 57 Minutes

Rated R

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SPY Review — Big, Beautiful Laughs