What is it about Steve Carrell that makes him one of the finest comedic actors of the decade? Be it his minimal expressionism (something Jim Carrey couldn't do to save his life), or his uncanny ability to make any character likable, and almost charismatic? Whatever it is, he displays it brilliantly here, and it's one of the few achieving factors of this entertaining, but mostly ordinary comedy/thriller.

When an evil corporation reveals the identity of all the agents of a secret anti-terrorist organization, an analyst (Carrell) and an agent who recently got plastic surgery (Hathaway) embark on a pseudo-quest to discover what the terrorists have in mind, and why they were so quick to find out the identity of all the agents. Of course, they want the president dead, and it's up to Carrell and Hathaway to stop them.

Many of its gags were forced and predictable, but plenty were also hilarious. The chemistry between the two leads worked well, but not without its doubts, or bits of manufactured romance. After the first dozen twists or so, they began to drag to the point of predictability. However, while its extremely over-the-top climax was a bit obvious, it was also surprisingly involving. You could see miles away what would become of its characters, and that almost detracted from the experience, but Carrell's charm alone kept me engaged, and almost captivated.

So overall, the film fails at offering any innovative ideas, considering its plot holds the same intricacies, same twists, and same structure as many other crime-thrillers, but Carrell himself saves it from mediocrity.

6.5/10