Mel Brooks began his career as spoofmaster-in-chief in the Sixties with a TV series about a bungling Bond-type secret agent. Somewhat late in the day, the Stateside hit is reinvented as a movie, with Brooks listed as a consultant, and this year's hottest comedy property, Steve Carell, the headline talent.

Star rating ***
Dir: Peter Segal
With: Steve Carell, Anne Hathaway, Dwayne Johnson, Alan Arkin

Mel Brooks began his career as spoofmaster-in-chief in the Sixties with a TV series about a bungling Bond-type secret agent. Somewhat late in the day, the Stateside hit is reinvented as a movie, with Brooks listed as a consultant, and this year's hottest comedy property, Steve Carell, the headline talent.

The Office and 40-Year-Old-Virgin star plays Maxwell Smart, a middle aged, middle ranking policy wonk who is desperate to serve on the front line. Watching his efforts with dismay are super agents and major eye candy Anne Hathaway and Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson.

Director Peter Segal (Anger Management) tiptoes into interesting territory now and then with some jabs at the current US administration but mostly he's content to keep the atmosphere cosy. Hathaway and the rest of the cast struggle to keep pace with Carell, who grabs all the best lines. Safe, bland fare that's licensed to gently amuse rather than thrill.