Quicky Film Review: Mr. & Mrs. Smith

Mr. & Mrs. Smith (2005)

Genre: Action/Adventure/Comedy/Romance
Tagline: with your own eyes, witness the swift demise of Brad & Jen! (ok, I made that up)
Plot Outline: A bored married couple is surprised to learn that they are assassins hired to kill each other.

director: Doug Liman (The Bourne Identity, 2002, The Bourne Supremecy, 2004)
writer: Simon Kinberg (xXx: State of the Union, 2005)
produced by: Erik Feig (Wrong Turn, 2003)
starring: Brad Pitt, Angelina Jolie, Vince Vaughn, Adam Brody

Jennifer Aniston should probably pass on this one. By the end of the film my body temperature was at a dangerous level; either because the theatre's air conditioning was on the fritz and I was wearing jeans and a long-sleeve shirt, or because Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt's pheromones were being pumped through the ventilation system instead, part of a Twentieth Century Fox promotional gimmick.

"So Jen should probably go see The Perfect Man instead, but what about me" you ask? Well, take this test to find out. Answer each question and add up your score:

1. Brad Pitt is sexy.
True: +4 points
False: 0 points

2. Angelina Jolie is sexy.
True: +4 points
False: 0 points

3. I can't stand either Brad Pitt or Angelina Jolie.
True: -10 points
False: 0 points

4. I have nothing against Brad Pitt or Angelina Jolie personally, but I'm sick of hearing about them.
True: -2 points
False: 0 points

5. I am curious to see if the on-screen chemistry between Pitt and Jolie is as hot as they say it is.
True: +6 points
False: 0 points

6. I like action movies, especially if there are light moments sprinkled within, and a few genuine laughs for good measure.
True: +2 points
False: 0 points

7. Massive plot holes and leaps of logic don't bother me as long as the movie is 'fun'.
True: +1 points
False: -3 points

8. Vince Vaughn is a funny guy.
True: +2 points
False: 0 points

9. Vince Vaughn annoys me.
True: -2 points
False: 0 points

10. I would not be uncomfortable watching a fictional husband and wife trying to kill each other for a half-hour, especially if they look like Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie and end up 'doing it' instead.
True: +2 points
False: -2 points

BONUS QUESTION

11. I am Jennifer Aniston.
True: -500 points
False: 0 points

Score: Recommendation

• -489 points or less: I'm very sorry. Time heals all wounds.
• -488 to -1 points: avoid this movie - you won't like it. You also appear to have a freakish resistance to the allure of the aesthetic ideal - congratulations on not being shallow like the rest of us.
• 0-4 points: wait for it on DVD and give it a try if you can't find anything else.
• 5-9 points: if you've got nothing better to do, try to catch a matinée. You'll probably enjoy yourself. Definitely rent it upon home release if you miss it in the theatres.
• 10-14 points: this movie is worth seeing. Have fun!
• 15+ points: behold Bradgelina in all its dazzling glory! Drink plenty of fluids beforehand and try to pace yourself.

IMDB User Rating: 6.8 out of 10
Metacritic's Metascore: 55 ("Mixed or average reviews")
Metacritic's Users score: 5.4 out of 10
Rotten Tomatoes Critics: 62%
Rotten Tomatoes Users: 89%

MY RATING: 7.2 out of 10