Walter Goertzen (Leland Klassen) lives a simple life working for a package delivery company, but he has always felt like he was meant for a deeper purpose—a life filled with infiltration and intrigue. When he suspects his parents were sleeper agents and their deaths were the work of a Russian hitman, he sets off to discover the truth. Sadly, his grandpa passes away before Walter receives any answers.
He soon confides in his coworker friends, Michael (Mark Christopher Lawrence) and Eugene (Matt Falk), about his deep desire to be a spy. Eugene tells Walter about a man on his coworker’s route who receives suspicious packages. That’s when Walter sets out to find the man and have him activate him as a generational sleeper agent.
Before Walter realizes it, he is involved in illegal activity with two Russian spies and a conspirator who are being tracked by the Department of Homeland Security. Just when matters can’t get any worse, Walter discovers his neighbor and love interest, Kate (Gigi Orsillo), has a hidden identity that can negatively affect their relationship. Walter eventually tries to make things right and enlists the help of Michael and Eugene to stop the Russian spies and foil their plans.
Sleeper Agent is funny as it’s filled with pratfalls (like when Walter gets his hand stuck in a vase), catchy one-liners and comic antics that are sure to entice laughter. While on a date with Kate, Walter recites the scene from Bourne Identity where Jason Bourne says, “The waitress is 200 pounds, left-handed and can handle herself in a fight.” Then, the waitress trips and drops her dishes. In another scene, Eugene tries to help Walter succeed as a sleeper agent by giving him spy gadgets but it is only a bag full of clown tricks. Oftentimes, Walter’s klutziness gets in the way of the spy task at hand.
The movie contains a few faith elements like a mention that Walter and Kate attend church together. Kate also tells Walter she is praying for him as he grieves his grandfather’s death. When Walter realizes he is involved in illegal activity, he prays to the Lord for guidance to help him resolve the situation.
Walter comes across as a good guy, wanting to do what is best in every situation. When he suspects the Russian spies are involved in unlawful activity, he refuses to participate but gets roped into it. When he discovers they are up to no good, he tries to impede their plans.
Some cautionary elements in the film include a few violent scenes when characters engage in martial arts fighting and gunfire exchange but no one is killed onscreen. On occasion, Walter accidentally discharges his gun but no one gets hurt. There is also some mild name-calling mostly aimed at Walter. Additionally, the Russian spies display poor behavior when they break into a building, steal and are involved in illegal activity.
Overall, the movie is entertaining but this action-comedy is better suited for older children and adults so we are awarding our Dove-approved Seal for Ages 12+, highlighting the film’s positive message about doing what is right.
The Dove Take:
This action-comedy combines spy adventure with comic antics to create an amusing movie with a positive outcome, but it’s better suited for audiences 12 and older.
