I Spy

As ridiculous as it sounds, "I Spy" improves dramatically during a male-bonding scene in a sewer. For the 30-plus minutes prior to that, the film fumbles around for a direction but then lightens up considerably, eventually turning into a buddy action-comedy that is at least watchable.

Not that the results can be regarded as anything more than fluff, with a plot that is contrived and hopelessly convoluted. Those who loved the television show that provides the film with its title — and little else — may be miffed.

But this is certainly the best live-action project Eddie Murphy has made in a couple of years (at least since 1999's underrated "Bowfinger"). He stars as Kelly Robinson, a pro boxing champ recruited by the U.S. government. For his first mission, he's paired with Alex Scott (Owen Wilson), an eager-beaver spy desperate to impress his bosses, and sexy fellow spy Rachel Wright (Famke Janssen).

Alex may get his chance when the two men are assigned to infiltrate operations of arms dealer Arnold Gundars (Malcolm McDowell), who's stolen the Switchblade, an undetectable stealth aircraft, with plans to sell it to the highest bidder.

However, Alex finds the fast-talking Kelly insufferable, and vice-versa.

Again, this is the flimsiest of material, with villains and situations so unmemorable you may have forgotten them by the time you get to the parking lot. Yet the film does have its share of big laughs — though it's in spite of filmmaker Betty Thomas, whose slack direction forces the stars to work even harder.

While Murphy is a little abrasive as Robinson, his comic chemistry with Wilson is better than you might expect. He also seems to be getting his comic timing back — something that seemed impossible after this year's bomb, "The Adventures of Pluto Nash."

Wilson uses his laid-back, surfer-boy charm in the same manner as "Shanghai Noon," offering low-key wisecracks that buffer Murphy's trademark bluster, showing that he too finds the material unbelievably ridiculous.

Unfortunately, the supporting cast doesn't have much to do, although Gary Cole steals at least one scene as a suave superspy competing with Alex for the girl and for headlines.

"I Spy" is rated PG-13 for violence (hand-to-hand combat, gunfire and explosive mayhem), scattered use of strong profanity and some crude humor and references (sexual and some talk of bodily functions), and a brief scene of torture. Running time: 95 minutes.

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E-MAIL: jeff@desnews.com