When it comes to comedy, the times are a-changing, people. Like it or not, directors like Paul Feig are saying bye to the lazy, misogynistic, poo-joke-oriented farces of the past, replacing them with smart, funny and often female-led comedies. After success such as Bridesmaids, Pitch Perfect and The Heat, all proving that women can just be as funny (and as gross) as men, Spy is the next to join this modern comedic canon.

On the surface it hard to deny that Spy works. Self-described as action-comedy, it delivers on both those terms. The fight scenes are well choreographed and most importantly well-shot, avoiding the all too popular trend of shaky-cam, making you seriously feel each hit. This, blended with some sharp one-liners, serious belly laughs and Feig-esq improv, make it easy to declare Spy a success.

Like most Feig outings of late, the casting is also impeccable. Mellissa McCarthy brings her trademark blend of both adorability and swear-tastic bravura, making it all look very easy. Miranda Hart, starring in her first Hollywood role, basically plays herself again, although fantastically it has to be said. And Jude Law, whose performance is admittedly mostly is thanks to his flawless smile, fits perfectly into his parody James Bond character.

Yet, despite these seasoned comedy actors bringing their A game, it is in fact the outsiders that shine. Jason Statham is brilliantly directed by Feig, bringing some of the bigger chuckles throughout the film, playing an exaggerated, implausible and hilarious version of the characters we know and love him for. And Rose Byrne, my god! Despite her dramatic background, first finding fame with legal drama Damages, over the last few years Byrne has become one the most established comedy actors in the US, and rightly so.

Spy does undoubtedly have flaws. The first 40 minutes are a bit of drag, with exposition and the introduction of various characters getting in the way of the film really finding its feet. It’s also by no means a classic; it’s not something that will be quoted constantly like Bridesmaids, whose zinger ‘I’m gonna climb that like a tree’ has become a personal favourite.  Yet despite this, after a term of stress, unhelpful secondary reading and arm pain, Spy is bloody good fun.

Spy is currently showing in cinemas across Cambridge and the UK

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