Get Smart
dir. Peter Segal (2008)
A respectful film adaptation of the original TV series. The script remains like-minded in its humour, and where not altogether faithful makes savvy choices—most notably in having 99 senior to 86. Steve Carell, Anne Hathaway and Alan Arkin are perfectly cast.
Despicable Me
dir. Pierre Coffin & Chris Renaud (2010)
Amidst a glut of animated films, Despicable Me is one of the few that remain consistently funny and engaging. Gru, the ingeniously drawn and distinctively voiced (by Steve Carell) Cold War -styled supervillain, is one of the great characters of modern cinema.