Top Secret!
Reviewed Nov 1, 2003
A spoof of spy movies, Elvis movies, and even The Blue Lagoon.
Top Secret is disappointing. After the inspired comedy of Airplane, the creative team of Jim Abrahams, David Zucker, and Jerry Zucker seem to have gone for quantity over quality. In Top Secret they cram in as many gags as possible, with a gag in almost every shot. Unfortunately this leaves little time for any set up or misdirection, thus most of the gags are obvious and feel forced.
Top Secret’s other problem is in it’s cast. Val Kilmer is a great actor, but doesn’t do comedy well, and while some of the supporting cast—especially Omar Sherif—are entertaining, many—like Peter Cushing and Michael Gough—are simply wasted.