Spies Like Us (1985)

When Childhood Nostalgia Meets RealityKrissy Lenz and Nathan Blackwell are joined by special guest Jordan Collier to revisit the 1985 spy comedy Spies Like Us, starring Chevy Chase and Dan Aykroyd. What happens when a beloved childhood favorite gets the modern rewatch treatment? Sometimes the results are as bumbling as the protagonists themselves.The Verdict: When Memory Lane Takes a DetourOur hosts discovered that Spies Like Us suffers from an identity crisis—never quite deciding whether it wants to be silly slapstick or serious espionage. While Jordan and Nathan remembered loving the film as kids, their adult viewing revealed a movie that couldn't nail down its tone, leaving characters without clear motivations and comedy that felt more meandering than memorable. The film's training montages and "Doctor! Doctor!" scenes still delivered laughs, but the lack of genuine tension between Chase and Aykroyd's characters left much to be desired.The consensus? Spies Like Us earns a middling 5 to 5.5 missiles out of 10—a film that works better as a nostalgic memory than a current viewing experience. Sometimes childhood classics are best left in the vault of fond recollections.Additional Takeaways:The movie needed a third character to complete the comedic trioChevy Chase's character came across as surprisingly unlikable with modern eyesThe film's tonal shifts from broad comedy to serious nuclear warfare felt jarringDan Aykroyd's spy skills were inconsistent—sometimes brilliant, sometimes bumblingThe Bob Hope cameo represented the kind of absurdist comedy the film needed more ofConnect With the HostsLearn more about this show and the TruStory FM network at trustory.fm. Want early, ad-free episodes plus bonus content? Check out membership options at trustory.fm/join.Follow the podcast: Facebook | Instagram | BlueskySupport the hosts: Neighborhood Comedy Theatre | Squishy StudiosWhat's your take on rewatching childhood favorites? Do they hold up, or are some movies better left as treasured memories? ---Learn more about supporting this podcast by becoming a member. It's just $5/month or $55/year. Visit our website to learn more.