OSS 117: From Africa with Love

Mon Dieu! He is back again! The parodic version of the French EuroSpy classic OSS 117 is entering its third round. OSS 117 (ACADEMY AWARD winner Jean DUJARDIN) is of course also getting on in years. Shortly before the seemingly impossible election of Francois Mitterrand as French President, the French super agent finds himself transferred to the office to do computer work. Younger agents like OSS 1001 "Nacht" (classic: CESAR AWARD winner Pierre NINEY) are now in demand. When complications arise in the heart of the African continent, OSS 117 has to get back to work...

Splendid! Even though director Michel HAZANAVICIUS (ACADEMY AWARD for THE ARTIST) is no longer on board, you can't stop laughing. The meeting between the two acting titans DUJARDIN and NINEY is simply too good. French colonialism and traditional machoism are getting rid of their fat. When DUJARDIN tries to tame wild lions in German, you should definitely see and HEAR it in the original version! The many quotes on films from the 1980s (I'll just say: CROCODILE DUNDEE) are also delicious. And when it comes to style and clothes, a bridge is easily made to the present day.

It's admirable how casually the French studio icon GAUMONT is able to bring one of their classics into modern times. CHAPEAU!!!