Today’s quick review: Our Man Flint. When an evil organization called Galaxy holds the world ransom with a device that can control the weather, Cramden (Lee J. Cobb), the head of Z.O.W.I.E., calls in debonair superspy Derek Flint (James Coburn) to save the day. Using his unique set of skills, Flint tracks the culprits to Europe. There he matches wits with Gila (Gila Golan), the beautiful Galaxy agent in charge of the weather control operation.
Our Man Flint is a spy adventure comedy that puts a light-hearted spin on the spy genre. James Coburn stars as Derek Flint, a retired Z.O.W.I.E. agent with an opulent lifestyle and an impressive array of skills. Our Man Flint pokes fun at iconic spies like James Bond, cranking up its protagonist’s competence to an absurd degree. What follows is a carefree romp that showcases Flint’s skills and the adventurous side of the spy genre.
For a parody, Our Man Flint hangs together surprisingly well. The tone hits a sweet spot: light and silly, but still coherent. The movie happens to take place in a world of exotic locations and extreme feats of derring-do, and within that world, it tells a complete and satisfying story. Unlike other parodies, Our Man Flint bears no malice for its source material. Instead, it is a loving send-up of the excesses of spy adventures.
Whether you like Our Man Flint will come down to taste. The tone is campy, the plot is straightforward, and the setting is a simplified fantasy. If those things sound appealing, Our Man Flint makes for a breezy watch with some charming flourishes. If you’re looking for a more incisive parody, you may want to look elsewhere.
For a spy comedy in a similar vein, try Get Smart. For a raunchier Bond parody, check out the Austin Powers films. For a campy sci-fi adventure with a similarly multitalented protagonist, try The Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai Across the 8th Dimension.
6.5 out of 10 on IMDB. I give it a 7.0 for simple fun.