New dvd releases

Published 4:00 am Friday, November 7, 2008

“Get Smart” — Steve Carell steps into Maxwell Smart’s shoe-phone and Anne Hathaway takes over as Agent 99 in the hit update of the 1960s TV spy comedy. Inheriting the roles created by Don Adams and Barbara Feldon, Carell and Hathaway do an origins story for the duo as Max, a desk-jockey analyst for the spy outfit CONTROL, gets his shot at field operations and is paired with skeptical 99, a star agent who doubts her new partner’s abilities. Single-disc DVD and two-disc DVD versions and the Blu-ray release have alternate scenes. Other extras on the two-disc DVD and Blu-ray editions include a handful of behind-the-scenes segments and a digital copy of the movie. Rating: One and a half stars. (PG-13)

“Kung Fu Panda” — A fat, fuzzy panda competes to become the Dragon Master and face the archenemy of the Valley of Peace, in a cute but not compelling animated adventure. The characters are one-dimensional, except for the wise old master voiced by Dustin Hoffman. Entertaining for younger audiences. This DVD releases on Sunday. Rating: Three stars. (PG)

COMING UP: Movies scheduled for national release on Nov. 11 include “Hellboy II: The Golden Army,” “Star Wars: The Clone Wars” and “This Christmas.” Check with local video stores for availability.

— From wire and online sources

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