Spies Like Us (1985)

Spies Like Us (1985)

Author: TruStory FM October 8, 2025 Duration: 50:29
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 trio
  • Chevy Chase's character came across as surprisingly unlikable with modern eyes
  • The film's tonal shifts from broad comedy to serious nuclear warfare felt jarring
  • Dan Aykroyd's spy skills were inconsistent—sometimes brilliant, sometimes bumbling
  • The Bob Hope cameo represented the kind of absurdist comedy the film needed more of
Connect With the HostsWhat'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.

Join filmmaker Nathan Blackwell from Squishy Studios and comedian Krissy Lenz from the Neighborhood Comedy Theatre as they dust off the VHS tapes and rewind the decade that defined blockbuster entertainment. the Most Excellent 80s Movies Podcast isn't just a nostalgic trip; it's a fresh, often hilarious dissection of the films that shaped a generation. Each episode, this duo from TruStory FM applies their distinct professional lenses-one from the world of filmmaking, the other from live comedy-to explore the movies we remember fondly, the ones we might have skipped, and the hidden gems that deserve another look. They tackle the cultural context, the now-questionable special effects, and the enduring tropes, all through a modern perspective that acknowledges the significant haze of nostalgia coloring our memories. You'll hear deep dives into character motivations, production stories, and the sheer joy of rediscovering a classic, all wrapped in a conversation that feels like hanging out with two friends who are deeply passionate about cinema. This podcast celebrates the enduring legacy of 80s film while never shying away from a good-natured roast, making for a consistently engaging and funny listen for anyone who loves the magic-and occasional madness-of that era's movies.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 50

the Most Excellent 80s Movies Podcast
Podcast Episodes
Purple Rain (1984) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:04:10
Dearly Beloved, We Are Gathered Here to Talk About Purple Rain Welcome to this episode of The Most Excellent 80s Movies Podcast. Hosts Krissy Lenz (comedian and director at Neighborhood Comedy Theatre) and Nathan Blackwe…
The Dark Crystal (1982) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 57:52
When Puppets Get Grotesque: The Dark Crystal and the Gateway to Nightmare FuelKrissy Lenz and Nathan Blackwell sit down with special guest Eric Weir—a tattoo artist and lifelong Jim Henson devotee—to tackle The Dark Crys…
Season 9 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:08
It's time for season 9 of The Most Excellent 80s Movies!
The Ice Pirates (1984) • REBROADCAST [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:01:12
Ice Pirates: Space Swashbuckling, Time Warps, and Robot BrothelsREBROADCASTWelcome to this episode of The Most Excellent 80s Movies Podcast! Join hosts Krissy Lenz and Nathan Blackwell, along with special guests Sean Oli…
They Live (1988) • REBROADCAST [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:01:26
Sunglasses, Skull Faces, and the Longest Fight Scene EverREBROADCASTWelcome to this episode of The Most Excellent 80s Movies Podcast! Hosts Krissy Lenz and Nathan Blackwell are joined by returning guest Adam Marshall Rin…
Spaceballs (1987) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 55:18
May the Schwartz Be With You: A Spaceballs Deep DiveWelcome to this episode of The Most Excellent 80s Movies Podcast! Hosts Krissy Lenz and Nathan Blackwell are joined by special guest Adam Marshall Rini to close out Sea…
Uncle Buck (1989) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 59:09
He's Crude, He's Crass, He's Family: An Uncle Buck Deep DiveWelcome to this episode of The Most Excellent 80s Movies Podcast! Join hosts Krissy Lenz and Nathan Blackwell, along with special guest Heath Wilcock, as they m…
Akira (1988) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 57:11
A Sensory Overload of Cyberpunk: Akira Takes Over Neo TokyoWelcome to this episode of The Most Excellent 80s Movies Podcast, where hosts Krissy Lenz and Nathan Blackwell are joined by special guest David Westlake to dive…
My Stepmother Is an Alien (1988) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 55:38
A Cosmic Comedy of Questionable ChoicesWelcome to this episode of The Most Excellent 80s Movies Podcast! Hosts Krissy Lenz and Nathan Blackwell are joined by special guest Robert Fata to dive into the 1988 sci-fi rom-com…
Gymkata (1985) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 55:05
Gymnastics Meets Carnage: Gymkata (1985)Welcome to this episode of The Most Excellent 80s Movies Podcast! Hosts Krissy Lenz and Nathan Blackwell pommel horse their way through one of the most wonderfully absurd action fi…