Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SATURDAY, March 16, 1991 TAG: 9103160348
SECTION: EXTRA PAGE: E-2 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: By MIKE MAYO CORRESPONDENT
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
This is a spirited spoof of sixties' spy movies with a teen hero trying to save the world from a Goldfinger sort of villain. It's handled with such a breezy sense of fun that it should be a treat for young audiences who don't know the originals. Older viewers will get a nostalgic kick out of the foolishness.
Michael Corben's (Richard Grieco) problems start when he fails French. That means that he doesn't graduate from high school and has to accompany the French club on a trip abroad. As luck would have it, a super secret agent,also named Michael Corben is on the same flight from Detroit to Paris.
The professional Corben is dispatched easily by Elsa (Linda Hunt), the vicious henchwoman of Steranko (Roger Rees) who is on the verge of taking over the economy of a united Europe. Will the amateur Michael decide to go along with the intelligence service scheme? As soon as he sees the souped up Lotus they've got for him, there's no question. But what about Miss Gallant (Robin Bartlett), the long-suffering French teacher? Will she get Michael back in line?
Darren Star's script runs out of gas toward the end, but it picks up for the big pyrotechnic finish. Several English actors show up for tongue-in-cheek cameos. Hunt and Reese steal the show from Grieco who, admittedly, is prettier than most of the women in the movie. Director William Dear seldom misses an opportunity to show off, but excess is not a fatal flaw in this kind of comic action movie.
If you're in the mood for something completely frivolous, chances are you'll enjoy "If Looks Could Kill." If you want any substance, try something else. `If Looks Could Kill': 1/2 A Warner Bros. release playing at the Salem Valley 8 (389-0444) and Valley View Mall 6 (362-8219). 86 min. Rated PG-13 for violence, strong language, sexual humor.
by CNB