Spy Hard MPAA Rating: PG-13 Entertainment: +2 1/2 Content: -2

With roles in Airplane and the Naked Gun series, Leslie Nielsen could easily lay claim to the title King of Spoof. SPY HARD, a generally funny send-up of secret agent films, adds to that legacy. He portrays retired spy Dick Steele, also known as WD-40, called back into action to battle his nemesis, General Rancor, played by a curiously cast Andy Griffith. Rancor is a megalomaniac with two fake arms and is intent on world conquest. Steele's partner is the beautiful, mysterious Agent 3.14 (Nicollette Sheridan). In between dodging speeding vehicles, eluding Rancor's henchmen and avoiding booby traps Steele and Agent 3.14 find time to go dancing and dining as they make their way to General Rancor's hideaway. This plot is rather thin, merely providing an excuse for pun-filled dialogue, sight gags and send-ups of other familiar films. As is often true with parodies, SPY HARD has its laughable moments, but its humor frequently loses its momentum.

SPY HARD also falls short on the acceptability scale. Although the violence is slap-stick and comical, it's prevalent throughout the film. There are many fist fights and beatings, and one innocent bystander is the unfortunate target of three projectiles in his chest. Even so, not a drop of blood is spilled. Even nuns get into the act as they are shown shooting machineguns. Older viewers will see this as exaggerated nonsense, but youngsters may not be as discerning. In the cheap laughs department, a man's buttocks are exposed and another wears women's underwear. There's also a cavalier attitude toward sex which is typical for spy genre films. Sex is implied in two scenes of Agent Steele in bed with female partners. SPY HARD goes to great lengths to get laughs, but its tasteless, sexually oriented humor and frequent slapstick violence sometimes go too far.

Preview Reviewer: Mark Perry
Distributor: Buena Vista Distribution, 500 S., Burbank, CA 91521