OSS 117: Lost in Rio
Dir: Michel Hazanavicius
2009
****
OSS 117: Lost in Rio is a great follow up to 2006's Cairo, Nest of Spys with Jean Dujardin giving just as good a performance as he did in the first. Michel Hazanavicius does not tread on old ground and re-use cheap gags like with most sequels of this ilk either (OSS 117 doesn't even do that dance, sadly). The 60s look of the film adds to the atmosphere ten-fold and it looks utterly gorgeous. Much like the first, it can be a little hit and miss but I think some gags are just lost in translation, most of the time it is as hilarious as ever. Jean Dujardin is fast becoming one of my favorite actors.

OSS 117: Cairo, Nest of Spies

Dir: Michel Hazanavicius
2006
****
Michel Hazanavicius and Jean Dujardin did what everyone said they couldn't, and made a spoof of the old 1950s/1960s OSS 117 series that remains as offensive as it was but have also made it funny in an already tired genre. It's fair to compare it to the original Casino Royale and the Pink Panther series but 'Cairo, Nest of Spies' is much more subtle and all the better for it. Michel Hazanavicius's direction is good and the supporting cast are all very capable but it's Jean Dujardin who really steals the show. He has truly mastered the art of physical comedy and I think he's an actor to look out for. Although OSS 117: Cairo, Nest of Spies doesn't always hit the mark, when it is funny, it's hilarious and the script is something rather special indeed.