ith loads of action, quirky humor, jazzy music, and familiar shoe phones, “Get Smart” admirably mimics the blend of genres and innovations that made the original series so memorable. Though diehard fans will likely pick apart what this re-envisioning doesn’t get right, it’s almost impossible not to laugh at Steve Carell’s ludicrous onscreen antics. Plus, there’s no such thing as “too silly” when it comes to this franchise.

Overanalyzing analyst Maxwell Smart (Steve Carell) dreams of one day becoming an official spy for top-secret government organization CONTROL, where his dreary administrative work leaves much to be desired. He longs to execute dangerous, undercover spy missions like his idol, the charismatic Agent 23 (Dwayne Johnson). When CONTROL headquarters is attacked by longtime nemesis group KAOS, and many of the agents’ identities are compromised, Smart is suddenly promoted to “Agent 86,” to be partnered with the reluctant Agent 99 (Anne Hathaway) – tasked with thwarting KAOS’ latest plan for world domination.

Whether or not Steve Carell perfectly embodies Maxwell Smart, he certainly knows how to handle his comedy. Excelling at both physical and verbally-stemmed laughs, Carell makes the tumbles look as easy as his notable style of quick quips and clever observations. The funnyman seems to garner chortles even when the rest of the crew can’t quite muster an equal energy.

Anne Hathaway provides the good looks and serious attitude to counter Agent 86’s incessant jokes, allowing the pair’s onscreen chemistry to gel nicely throughout the majority of the film. A few slips and failed retorts interrupt the flow of their characters’ progressions, but these bits are quickly forgotten in the larger scope of nonstop comedy. Alan Arkin also furnishes several of the funniest moments in the movie; the Academy Award-winning actor never misses a beat when the camera turns his way. And Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson again confirms his status as a reliable comedic presence. Many interesting cameos similarly perforate the film, though they’re regrettably wasted – few are able to draw laughs with clever dialogue or comedic prowess, content instead to produce a quick smile for those that get the reference or enjoy the recognition.

The humor throughout “Get Smart” always orbits around Carell and his singular style of comedy. Those that don’t take a liking to his brand of wit will undoubtedly be less amused, as he is clearly the driving force behind the vast majority of the entertainment value. While Carell’s lines are rarely delivered without a skillful touch, many of the conversations lose their luster midway, thanks to faltering dialogue and a lack of focus on creating the biggest laughs. Several of the extravagant set pieces end with many a missed opportunity to supply more hilarity, particularly with the overload of little laughs that spread the truly uproarious moments too thin.

While a healthy dose of romance, drama, and some spectacular action scenes appears commendable, the devotion to these components often shortchanges the comedy. But from exotic locales to storm drains, and Moscow to Disney Hall, the action and humor follow Maxwell Smart at a breakneck speed. A few feeble gags and underused concepts can’t ruin the fun; while some sequences may have “missed it by just that much,” it’s not enough to detract from Carell’s amusing performance and the fitting comedy that trails closely behind.

– The Massie Twins