This is a Chevy Chase movie featuring Dan Aykroyd

I really like Spies Like Us. It's no Animal House, Christmas Vacation or Ghostbusters, but I'd say it's a gold insignia on the lapels of Landis, Chase, and Aykroyd. It comes to almost a screeching halt with the nuclear anti-climax, yet still manages to be a very funny satire of America's diplomatic policy circa the 1980s.

How? Chevy Chase. Aykroyd helped conceive the original story and had worked with Landis previously on Trading Places, so it really makes one wonder why Chase landed the juicier role of the co-leads. Either it was Aykroyd being his customary gracious/humble self, or it was acknowledged by all that Chase was far more adept at carrying a film (Aykroyd has supported other stars his entire career.) Or perhaps they just naturally gravitated to their respective characters.

Whatever it was, the results speak for themselves. Nearly every memorable scene and dialogue portion from this film can be attributed to Chase. His dry sarcasm, zingy one-liners, and aloofness provided all the laughs. Aykroyd just towed along for the ride, wallowing in his co-star's zaniness.

Great to see two of the original SNL cast members side-by-side, in their only good movie together (I haven't seen The Couch Trip, in which Chase reportedly makes a pretty humorous cameo.) But this is the movie that really cemented my appreciation for Chase's comic abilities.

"...if that was off, I'd be whoopin' your ass up and down this street." ~ an irate Tarantino