(5 out of 5)

God chooses the foolish things of the world to shame the wise.

The main character in this movie, Maxwell Smart, clearly knows how to make mistakes. If he isn't piercing his face with numerous barbs (which is one of the funniest scenes in the movie), or smashing his boss in the head with a fire hydrant, or nearly spearing him later with a fish - he is falling out of airplane without a parachute or tranquilizing himself accidentally with a blowgun.

This is how I feel as a pastor. I can accidentally offend any numerable amounts of people each week by my forgetfulness, lack of attention to detail, or my lack of ability to send an email without proper punctuation or right spelling. And still my boss (God) seems to choose me to join his ranks of disciples. I would be embarrassed if the scripture seemed to suggest that I was alone. But thankfully I am in a long line of misfits and knuckleheads in God's Kingdom. At least I'm not telling Jesus he didn't have to die on the cross like Peter, or asking to sit next to him on his throne when he enters into his kingdom. I'm smart enough to know I should just be lucky to get some of the crumbs from his table.

I have watched the movie 5 times with my eleven-year old son and wife and we keep laughing our heads off each time. I didn't come in with high expectations, which made it even better. The two nerdy scientist agents, or whatever they are, are a great side-bit. It is a fairly clean movie except for a few swear words - which when used in the appropriate context - is hard for a red-blooded Christian, (who is still working through the sanctification process, like myself) to NOT laugh his head off. There is no nudity or sex, although a few innuendos are thrown in. Since most married Christians do have relations they may recognize these innuendos and choose to be offended. Though most will not, I am sure.

I'm not sure if the movie is being cruel or showing respect to people who are overweight in one scene where a lady is shown love and respect by Maxwell - but also used to bring laughs. It is a little bit like Jim in Huckleberry Finn. You know Huck loved Jim - but then he used derogatory words because of the ignorant way he grew up. You are touched by the sentiment in the movie, and feel guilty at the same time for laughing at the whole scene. Some of those same feelings come out with the immigrant giant - and the use of Arabs as terrorists. Is this profiling -or using a modern context. As American Christians we must be careful not to build or encourage stereotypes and instead attempt to look at others through Christ's eyes rather than "American," eyes. But ultimately, the bad guy is neither an immigrant nor a "larger" lady...so, although it doesn't make up for some of the offensive stereotypes - it does show us that the bad guy - is often the guy who you think is the "good" guy.

The movie is goofy. It has fun gadgets that go wrong and some gadgets that go right. Ultimately though - and this is a great component - the thing that saves the day is a relationship that is built through a relationship that occurs through spying. I won't ruin it - but I will say this... As Christians, we know that the word of God says "they will know we are Christians by our love." Maxwell Smart shows love to even his enemy in this movie - and ultimately it makes up for his "limitations," as an agent. KAOS does not conquer all, even though Maxwell is a bit of a screw-up. Perhaps, we too have a chance to see good conquer evil despite our own limitations.

~Pastor Ben