Spy Hard (1996)
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6% of critics liked it
(31 reviews) -
35% of users liked it
(37,440 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
- In Theaters
- May 24, 1996 Wide
- Studio
- Hollywood Pictures
Critic Reviews
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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.
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Derek Adams, Time Out
Like Hot Shots! there's the same mistaken belief that simply tagging other films will be intrinsically funny...
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Mick LaSalle, San Francisco Chronicle
Nielsen, with his expert deadpan and sense of comic timing, creates the illusion of humor -- for about 15 minutes.
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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.
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James Berardinelli, ReelViews
A dreadfully unfunny comedy that takes Naked Gun-like sketches and rehashes them without a whit of style or energy.
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
