The Nude Bomb

source: The Nude Bomb

To all the original Get Smart fans, GET OVER IT! The Nude Bomb was a fun, funny movie. One of the things you have to remember is that this was 1980. You can tell as soon as the opening credits rolled that this movie was a James Bond spoof. And not just any James Bond movie, the "Roger Moore" James Bond movies. Considered by some the worst James Bond run of the collective series, the Roger Moore James Bond films had many of the same bad elements: A weirdly dressed, over-the-top villain, bent on destroying the world in the stupidest way possible, ugly sets, campy music, annoying costumes, and super-hot women. The Nude Bomb followed in these footsteps greatly and the result is a very funny spy movie that actually works even on a childish level. Seriously, be honest! How many of us wanted a Deskmobile? I know I did! Don Adams was pure comic genius and I'm sorry that this movie did not have any of the familiar faces from the old series, but as most Hollywood remakes go, the hope for a sequel lies with a fresher, younger, cheaper cast of "who's-hot-right-now" wins over every time. I'm just glad Don got to reprise his role instead of the "who-was-hot-in-1980" actor.

The * bomb, an average film, does indeed have above average merit. It has excitement, it has a bit of a plot, and it does have some titillation, but not too much for children. It seems that the Get Smart guy is still the same old guy from the TV show...which is actually a good thing. There are, of course folks out there that will say that this is NOT a good film, and maybe that is true, but hey, it isn't a bad film either. It has a few very titillating moments as far as the action, and a lingerie scene that is not to be believed, either. A great film it's not. A fun and unique film it is. It does have value. Other films of the same time period and the same subject, just do not have the same pizazz as this one. The Get Smart guy is still a hoot to watch, it is a funny film, but the plot is definitely worthwhile, too.

As another IMDb contributor has noted, it seems very strange that Universal wanted to make a Maxwell Smart movie -- in fact, at the time, there was talk of doing a series of Smart movies a la Inspector Clouseau -- and then went out of its way to remove nearly every element that made "Get Smart!" so funny. Nearly all of Don Adams' supporting cast (esp. Barbara Feldon and Edward "Chief" Platt) are absent here, as are rivalling spy agencies CONTROL and KAOS, as well as *any* of the show's writers or producers. Happily (with the exception of the deceased Platt), they'd all get it right nine years later, for the TV-reunion-movie "Get Smart, Again!" Indeed, as of this writing, that movie is the only "Get Smart" item available on DVD; better that than "The Nude Bomb," at least.

Like the Austin Powers movies, "Get Smart" is a spoof of spy movies like the James Bond series, and "The Nude Bomb", made at the height of the Cold War, in the early 1980s, concerns Maxwell Smart, Agent 86, the guy with the shoe phone, pursuing the madman who has developed a bomb that, if exploded, would render everyone without clothes. This is an underrated movie and works well even with the absence of the original supporting cast from the 1960s television series. Almost, but not quite as funny as "The Naked Gun". 8/10

"THE NUDE BOMB" looks and feels like a cheap attempt to resurrect a 60's TV show for 80's Movie audiences - a la "Star Trek". And it is. But there's nothing terribly wrong with the film, if only that it jettisons practically every character the "Get Smart!" show created and introduces an all-new spy agency for Maxwell Smart (Don Adams) to work for. The film might make die-hard fans a little disappointed, but casual viewers probably won't care. The plot makes very little sense - a evil fashion designer blackmails the clothes-wearing world with potential, full-blown nudity via The Nude Bomb - and it seems to zig-zag in an half-hearted attempt to string together as many mildly-silly gags, low-budget set pieces and James Bond-ian spoofs into it's brief running time. For a very tenuous plot point, Agent 86 ends up cavorting through many of the attractions of the Universal backlot in a lengthy chase scene that plays out as a mid-film "When In Southern California, Visit Universal Studios" advertisement. It serves less to the story than as a very visual and perhaps only reason why this film was greenlit by executives in the first place. But it does have it's charms. Pantyhosed Vittorio Gassman is a good villain, and of course Don Adams is a treat. Adams' energy and delivery does about as much as British director Clive ("What's New, Pussycat?") Donner to keep this thing moving. Agent 86's gadgets are inspired, and Don's bell-bottom slacks collection are also quite funny, although probably in only retrospect. "THE NUDE BOMB" has a breezy pace, is relatively sunny and undemanding. The film and has some funny moments, including a nifty opening credit sequence and some zingy one-liners - and for that Maxwell Smart gets a pass - but of what could have been? Missed it by THAT much.

As you watch the beginning credits of this movie, you'll see that this was based off of characters created by Mel Brooks. That's kind of misleading considering Maxwell Smart is the only character from the TV show to appear in the movie. Granted he may have been the Lead character, but the show had a hilarious cast of supporting characters whom probably could have given this movie a chance. I may even be generous saying that. The comedic timing is way off base, you can tell they tried to emulate Mel Brook's style but failed miserably. I wouldn't even recommend this to Die Hard fans of the show. Easily one of the worst TV to Big Screen movies ever made.

Being a fan of the "Get Smart" TV show since I was a teen, I actively sought out this movie at the rental store. I was, needless to say, disappointed. The plot revolves around a destructive weapon that would destroy all clothing, hence the title of the movie "The Nude Bomb." Now, I'm OK with an absurd plot, because it's supposed to be parody. The "Get Smart" TV series did a great job of poking fun at the James Bond mystique, long before Austin Powers. There are several strikes against this movie. First, and most importantly, Barbara Feldon, the actress who played Agent 99 in the TV series is nowhere to be found. A huge part of the appeal of "Get Smart" was the chemistry between 86 and 99. None here. Second, the movie came out ten full years after the TV show ended. What may have been funny in 1970 was not so much in 1980. I expect more from Mel Brooks. Especially since this came out in the same year as "History of the World, Part 1," another Mel Brooks film For a better Maxwell Smart/Mel Brooks fix, go to the old series, see "History of the World Part I" or check out Inspector Gadget.

I may have only been 7 years old when the film came out, but when Max started up his (ink powered)desk and was driving thru the city streets chasing bad guys, come on, that was awesome. And the suspense of waiting to see what was going to come out of the mountain's fly when it un-zipped, it was worth the wait.

"Get Smart" was very big in the 1960's. Spoofing James Bond, and having catchphrases such as "Sorry about that, Chief!", "Missed it by that much!", "Would you Believe..." and most of all, "...And Loving It". Don Adams(1923-2005) made it big playing the bumbling Maxwell Smart(Agent 86). This time, he's out to stop KAOS from launching a "Nude Bomb". Kinda like a smart bomb, only it leaves you buck naked! Smart got some new agents to work with him: Agent 22(Andrea Howard), Agent 34(Sylvia Kristel, "Private Lessons"), Agent 35(Pamela Hensley, before "Matt Houston") and the Chief(Dana Elcar, "MacGyver" and "The Learning Tree") The comedy was nonstop. The shooting and the fight scene are hilarious. The only downside I didn't like is when some of the originals didn't appear. Like Hymie(Dick Gautier), Agent 99(Barbara Feldon) or even Siegfried(Bernie Koppel). Edward Platt(The Original Chief) died in 1974. That's beyond everyone's control. They put it down just because Don Adams was the only original character? Give me a break! The movie was funny, the cast was fine. It deserve some reprise in the theaters. I don't think that die-hard "Get Smart" fans would think this show should go onto the big screen. This movie is for the fans, by the fans, and strictly for the fans. I enjoyed very much! 3 out of 5 stars!