OSS 117: Cairo, Nest of Spies (2006)

Nesselson finds the spoof a remake worth making, praising its sparkling production design, retro score, and clever satire of colonial arrogance. She especially singles out Jean Dujardin’s entertaining performance and the film’s deftly sustained deadpan tone.

Robinson finds the film a slick, entertaining spy parody whose old-movie pastiche and comedy work well despite repetitive, modest jokes. She particularly praises its faithful recreation of vintage film conventions and the lead performance’s Bond-like confidence.

Parkinson finds the spy spoof hilarious and far superior to Get Smart. He singles out Jean Dujardin’s vacuous suavity and condescension as the source of much of its comedy.

Bradshaw finds the spoof an unpretentious, refreshing comedy with sharp, cheeky satire. He particularly praises its lovingly recreated 1950s look and production design.

The review recommends this light-hearted pastiche as an antidote to Quantum of Solace. It singles out the French spin on the secret-agent franchise as its appeal.

The review calls the film an unexpected pleasure and says its pastiche outdoes Austin Powers. It praises the sharp 1960s espionage spoof and Jean Dujardin’s deadpan performance.

Gonzalez finds the film’s humor too often derivative and reliant on easy jokes. He singles out the running gag about OSS 117’s homoerotic memories of his former agent as amusing, but says the film’s handling of the spy’s cultural condescension lets him off too easily.

Wilkinson finds the spoof so good-humoured and stylish that it rises above the average. She especially praises Jean Dujardin’s visual comedy and the film’s carefully captured mid-Fifties look.