Spy Hard (1996)

6% of critics liked it
(31 reviews)
36% of users liked it
(36,599 ratings)

The first of several sight gag and slapstick-rich comedies he produced without the team of Jerry Zucker, David Zucker, and Jim Abrahams, this lowbrow comedy from executive producer and star Leslie Nielsen suffers by comparison to his work with the "ZAZ" team. Nielsen plays Dick Steele, secret agent… More The first of several sight gag and slapstick-rich comedies he produced without the team of Jerry Zucker, David Zucker, and Jim Abrahams, this lowbrow comedy from executive producer and star Leslie Nielsen suffers by comparison to his work with the "ZAZ" team. Nielsen plays Dick Steele, secret agent WD-40, called out of retirement to stop the world-conquering plans of his old nemesis, General Rancor (Andy Griffith), an armless madman determined to avenge himself upon Steele (who is responsible for Rancor's lack of appendages). With the help of Russian agent Veronique Ukrinsky (Nicolette Sheridan), Steele prepares to battle Rancor at his tropical island lair, where the daughter of Steele's long-ago love is being held captive. Along the way, such films as True Lies (1994), Speed (1994), Jurassic Park (1993), Pulp Fiction (1994), and Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid (1969) are spoofed. Director Richard Friedberg had previously directed Nielsen in a series of automobile rental commercials and goofy "how-to" golf videos. ~ Karl Williams, Rovi

Rating, Runtime: PG-13, 1 hr. 20 min.
Directed By: Rick Friedberg
Genres: Action & Adventure, Comedy

In Theaters: May 24, 1996 Wide
On DVD: Jul 13, 1999

Critic Reviews

Variety Staff, Variety
The picture that will test the durability of Leslie Nielsen's lowbrow franchise, Spy Hard sticks closely to the Naked Gun formula. Not only is the formula itself wearing thin, but the gags themselves feel recycled.
Mick LaSalle, San Francisco Chronicle
Nielsen, with his expert deadpan and sense of comic timing, creates the illusion of humor -- for about 15 minutes.
David Kronke, Los Angeles Times
This movie unfortunately wastes a perfectly promising idea -- satirizing James Bond films along with any other pop-culture celluloid phenomenon that crosses the filmmakers' minds.
James Berardinelli, ReelViews
A dreadfully unfunny comedy that takes Naked Gun-like sketches and rehashes them without a whit of style or energy.
Stephen Holden, New York Times
When Spy Hard abruptly ends after only 81 minutes, you sense that it has used up every last round of available ammunition. It was simply exhausted and couldn't move another inch.
Andy Seiler, USA Today
You won't laugh hard at Spy Hard. And that's not because the jokes aren't funny. Most of them aren't even jokes.
, TV Guide's Movie Guide
Nielsen's schtick is getting pretty threadbare by now -- his movies used to wring laughs from assaults on his silver-haired dignity, but after years of screen buffoonery, he has no dignity left to assault.
Derek Adams, Time Out
Like Hot Shots! there's the same mistaken belief that simply tagging other films will be intrinsically funny...
Laura Clifford, Reeling Reviews
This one's a real disappointment -- it only registered a few snickers from me at best.
Michael Dequina, TheMovieReport.com
A classic example of why David Zucker/Jim Abrahams/Jerry Zucker-style comedies should be left to ZAZ themselves.
Jeffrey Westhoff, Northwest Herald (Crystal Lake, IL)
Stay for Weird Al Yankovic's brilliant opening credits, then flee!
Wade Major, Boxoffice Magazine
[Scores] only a handful of genuine laughs during its scant 78 minutes.
Robert Roten, Laramie Movie Scope
Most of the humor falls flatter than Steve Forbes' flat tax pitch.

Read all 13 critic reviews

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Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)

Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)

Featured Audience Ratings

Dead A

Piece of poo! <a href='http://www.thescubasite.com' title='Scuba Site'><img src='http://forum.thescubasite.com/sick/sick0012.gif' alt='Scuba Site' border='0'></a>
Anthony L

Quite bad but it does have Mr T and Hulk Hogan in it and that?s what the star and a half is for!
Lafe F

Leslie Nielson does a funny James Bond spoof, which is actually better than some of the James Bond movies! I liked when he was attempting to sneak into someone's apartment, and ends up trashing the entire place.
Dean !

Another spoof starring Leslie Nielsen sending up Die Hard, Jame Bond and plenty of other action films. Will raise a few laughs but not the best spoof around.
danny d

very funny spoof flick
Naughtia N

If you dislike Leslie Nielsen movies you would certainly dislike this one as well. This movie is clearly made for all the Leslie Nielsen fans and I loved it. This movie was hilarious.
Deb S

Leslie Nielsen plays Dick Steele, Codename: Agent WD-40, who has to prevent arch enemy General Rancor (played by Andy Griffith) from destroying the world. Along the way he is assisted by the delectable and beautiful spy (Nicolette Sheridan). This leads up to the usual hilarious… More
Leslie Nielsen plays Dick Steele, Codename: Agent WD-40, who has to prevent arch enemy General Rancor (played by Andy Griffith) from destroying the world. Along the way he is assisted by the delectable and beautiful spy (Nicolette Sheridan). This leads up to the usual hilarious slapstick comedy that we've all come to expect from a Leslie Nielsen film. It is a parody of well known movies including some of my favorites James Bond, Pulp Fiction, True Lies and Die Hard and overall very enjoyable film.
Barry L

Brilliant.....but very silly.
Chad R

Nice Beaver - wait thats the other one

Read all 9 featured audience ratings

Cast

            Leslie Nielsen as Dick Steele (Agent WD-40)

            Nicollette Sheridan as Veronique Ukrinsky (Agent 3.14)

            Charles Durning as The Director

            Marcia Gay Harden as Miss Cheevus

            Barry Bostwick as Norman Coleman

            Andy Griffith as Gen. Rancor

            John Ales as Kabul

            Curtis Armstrong as Pastry Chef

            Elya Baskin as Prof. Ukrinsky

            Michael Berryman as Bus Patron with Oxygen Mask

            Joyce Brothers as Steele's Tag Team Member

            Keith Campbell as Thug

            Ray Charles as Bus Driver

            Carl Ciarfalio as Thug

            Clyde Kusatsu as Noggin

            Johnny Cocktails as Postal Worker

            Rick Cramer as Rancor Terrorist--Helmlich

            Robert Culp as Businessman

            Eddie Deezen as Rancor Guard Who Gets Spit On

            Fabio as Himself

            Mason Gamble as McCluckey

            Brad Garrett as Short Rancor Guard

            Michael Lee Gogin as Short Rancor Guard

            Bruce Gray as The President

            Robert Guillaume as Agent Steve Bishop

            Linda Harmon as Singing Nun

            Elizabeth Kaitan as Helicopter Ticket Agent

            John Kassir as Rancor Guard at Intercom

            Diane Klimaszewski as Twin #1

            Elaine Klimaszewski as Twin #2

            Darlene Koldenhoven as Singing Nun

            Kelly Lange as Herself

            Noriyuki 'Pat' Morita as Brian the Waiter

            Mr. T as Helecopter Pilot

            Gary Owens as M.C. for Rancor Extortion Video

            Alexandra Paul as Woman in Murphy Bed

            Julie Payne as Mother Superior

            Jeff Sanders as Bird-Calling Rancor Guard

            Shari Shattuck as Stewardess

            Sally Stevens as Singing Nun

            Alex Trebek
            
            Angela Visser as Georgeous Blonde

            Jeannine Wagner as Singing Nun

            Weird Al Yankovic as Himself

            Julie Brown as Cigarette Girl

            Thom Sharp as Agent Sharp

            Bruno Marcotulli as Sad Mime

            Tara Leon as Manicurist

            Hulk Hogan as Steele's Tag Member

            Carlos Lauchu as Slice
See full cast

Spy Hard (1996)

Critic Reviews

Featured Audience Ratings

Cast

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