Spy Hard (1996)
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8% of critics liked it
(40 reviews) -
35% of users liked it
(37,460 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,… 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
- Directed By
- Rick Friedberg
- Genres
- Action & Adventure, Comedy
PG-13,
- In Theaters
- May 24, 1996 Wide
- On DVD
- Jul 13, 1999
- Studio
- Hollywood Pictures
Critic Reviews
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Desmond Ryan, Philadelphia Inquirer
The jokes come in sporadic volleys rather than the steady machine-gun pace of The Naked Gun and Airplane!, and, with a few exceptions, they are less truly aimed.
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John Petrakis, Chicago Tribune
As funny as Nielsen can be, like all comic actors he still needs the quick-thinking jokes and zingy one-liners to be genuinely funny.
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Doug Thomas, Seattle Times
Spy Hard just comes off as a long commercial. And yes, that means most of the best moments you've seen in the movie's trailer.
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Jay Boyar, Orlando Sentinel
More of a cinematic joke book than a real movie, Spy Hard hits you with gags faster than Henny Youngman on speed. Even when individual bits misfire, the unrelenting barrage of silliness can break down your resistance.
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Owen Gleiberman, Entertainment Weekly
Spy Hard is a loose send-up of the Bond series and other overly expensive action flicks, but after Hot Shots! Part Deux and National Lampoon's Loaded Weapon 1 who needs another action parody?
See more critic ratings and reviews on Rotten Tomatoes
Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)
Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)
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Cast
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Leslie Nielsen
as Dick Steele (Agent WD-40)
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Nicollette Sheridan
as Veronique Ukrinsky (Agent 3.14)
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Charles Durning
as The Director
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Marcia Gay Harden
as Miss Cheevus
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Barry Bostwick
as Norman Coleman
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Andy Griffith
as Gen. Rancor
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John Ales
as Kabul
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Curtis Armstrong
as Pastry Chef
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Elya Baskin
as Prof. Ukrinsky
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Michael Berryman
as Bus Patron with Oxygen Mask
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Joyce Brothers
as Steele's Tag Team Member
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Keith Campbell
as Thug
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Ray Charles
as Bus Driver
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Carl Ciarfalio
as Thug
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Clyde Kusatsu
as Noggin
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Johnny Cocktails
as Postal Worker
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Rick Cramer
as Rancor Terrorist--Helmlich
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Robert Culp
as Businessman
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Eddie Deezen
as Rancor Guard Who Gets Spit On
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Fabio
as Himself
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Mason Gamble
as McCluckey
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Brad Garrett
as Short Rancor Guard
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Michael Lee Gogin
as Short Rancor Guard
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Bruce Gray
as The President
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Robert Guillaume
as Agent Steve Bishop
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Linda Harmon
as Singing Nun
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Elizabeth Kaitan
as Helicopter Ticket Agent
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John Kassir
as Rancor Guard at Intercom
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Diane Klimaszewski
as Twin #1
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Elaine Klimaszewski
as Twin #2
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Darlene Koldenhoven
as Singing Nun
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Kelly Lange
as Herself
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Noriyuki 'Pat' Morita
as Brian the Waiter
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Mr. T
as Helecopter Pilot
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Gary Owens
as M.C. for Rancor Extortion Video
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Alexandra Paul
as Woman in Murphy Bed
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Julie Payne
as Mother Superior
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Jeff Sanders
as Bird-Calling Rancor Guard
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Shari Shattuck
as Stewardess
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Sally Stevens
as Singing Nun
- Alex Trebek
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Angela Visser
as Georgeous Blonde
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Jeannine Wagner
as Singing Nun
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Weird Al Yankovic
as Himself
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Julie Brown
as Cigarette Girl
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Thom Sharp
as Agent Sharp
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Bruno Marcotulli
as Sad Mime
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Tara Leon
as Manicurist
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Hulk Hogan
as Steele's Tag Member
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Carlos Lauchu
as Slice
