I Spy

At the heart of the Bureau of National Security's (BNS) high-stakes operations lies a complex web of intrigue, deception, and daring exploits. BNS Special Agent Alex Scott (Owen Wilson), a seasoned operative with a reputation for precision and skill, finds himself at odds with his rival agent, Carlos (Gary Cole), as he receives his next assignment: to recover the stolen Switchblade fighter plane from arms dealer Arnold Gundars (Malcolm McDowell). This advanced aircraft is more than just any ordinary plane - it's invisible to both radar and human observation, making it a highly coveted prize.

Scott's mission takes an unexpected turn when he's paired with Kelly Robinson (Eddie Murphy), the reigning Middleweight world boxing champion. The BNS has been in touch with Robinson, assigning him to serve as Scott's civilian cover for the operation. As they travel to Budapest, where Gundars is hosting a high-profile party preceding the big fight, Scott and Robinson's initial disdain for each other gives way to a tentative partnership.

Scott's plan to infiltrate Gundars' compound during the party involves using his exceptional skills to evade detection, but Robinson's skepticism and lack of faith in the mission prove a formidable challenge. That is, until Scott demonstrates his capabilities by manipulating the Switchblade and providing Robinson with special contact lenses that allow him to see through the plane's invisibility cloak.

In Budapest, Robinson's encounter with a local woman leads to an unexpected kidnapping, which prompts Scott to burst into the scene, liberate Robinson, and engage in a fierce battle against their captors. The truth, however, is far more nuanced: the entire ordeal was merely a test, orchestrated by Rachel Wright (Famke Janssen), a fellow BNS agent and Scott's unrequited love.

As the stakes escalate at Gundars' party, Robinson seizes an opportunity to replace the arms dealer's pen with a duplicate fitted with a tracking device. This clever move sets the stage for a thrilling showdown as Robinson confronts his European challenger in the boxing ring, while Scott, posing as a member of Robinson's entourage, uses the distraction to slip into Gundars' private office and hack into his computer.

Their mission compromised by the alarm triggered by Robinson's arrival, Scott and Robinson are forced to make a daring escape from the compound. As they navigate the treacherous streets of Budapest, their pursuit hindered by Scott's defective equipment, they ultimately outsmart their pursuers by taking refuge in an underground sewer system.

As Scott and Robinson return to their base, they regroup and refocus on their mission. With a clever plan in place, Robinson coaches Scott into charming Agent Wright (character A) into submission, using Marvin Gaye's iconic hit "Sexual Healing" as a catalyst for seduction. The ruse proves successful, but is abruptly interrupted by the detection of movement on the tracking device, setting off a chain reaction that propels them towards a showdown with Gundars' men at a local bathhouse. Initially, Scott believes this to be a dead end, but Robinson's keen instincts suggest otherwise, leading them into a high-stakes battle with Gundars' henchmen.

Gundars makes his escape in a speeding car, pursued by Agent Wright, whose vehicle ultimately meets its demise in a fiery explosion. This traumatic event leaves Scott stunned and heartbroken, unfairly placing the blame for Wright's demise at Robinson's feet. The two engage in a very public confrontation that culminates with Robinson's arrest.

Despite these setbacks, Scott is able to convince the BNS (Bureau of National Security) to continue their operation, tracking down Gundars once more. Meanwhile, Robinson clears his name and arrives just in time for his highly anticipated fight, his demeanor so serious it unnerves his entourage.

As fate would have it, Scott finds himself face-to-face with Gundars at the top of a bridge, where he discovers the terrorist leader has equipped a plane with a nuclear missile. Scott springs into action, taking the terrorists by surprise and forcing them to surrender before Agent Wright reappears, revealed as a double agent in her own right.

With Scott's trust shattered, Wright sets out to extract the activation codes for the Switchblade from him. However, Scott remains one step ahead, activating his contact lens gadget that allows Robinson to see the unfolding drama unfold from his vantage point in the ring. Despite being caught off guard, Robinson quickly recovers and dispatches his opponent with a decisive blow, before departing for the bridge.

Upon arrival, Robinson sparks a firefight that claims numerous terrorist lives, while Carlos provides backup via parachute. As the dust settles, Robinson's instincts tell him that Carlos is not what he seems, a suspicion confirmed when Carlos goads Kelly into a confrontation. With a swift knockout, Scott sends Carlos crashing to the ground, scattering the remaining terrorists.

As the situation spirals out of control, Rachel proves herself to be a formidable ally, taking down terrorist after terrorist. Robinson seizes the opportunity to eliminate the remaining threats, while Wright's deception is slowly revealed as she attempts to manipulate her comrades into believing she is innocent.

As tensions escalate between Scott and Carlos, Wright seizes the opportunity to make a daring escape, snatching Gundars' briefcase containing classified information worth billions. With the valuable cargo in hand, Wright takes off into the night, leaving Scott to grapple with the consequences of his actions. The chase reaches new heights as Scott commandeers the Switchblade, attempting to flee the scene, but a catastrophic crash into the river below renders the aircraft useless. Amidst the chaos, Robinson stumbles upon the nuclear weapon, submerged in the water. As reality sets in, Scott acknowledges the mission's success and Robinson proudly declares he will be hailed as a hero for his role.

The clock ticks forward 36 hours, transporting us to the glamorous setting of Monte Carlo. Scott and Robinson converge on Agent Wright, capturing her and bringing an end to her fugitive status. Wright herself is jubilant about the two receiving the recognition they deserve in the press. However, Scott's gaze falls upon a USA Today edition, revealing a shocking image: Carlos basking in the glory of President Bush, feted as the hero of the operation. The revelation hits Robinson like a ton of bricks, leaving him reeling and refusing to accompany Scott to BNS headquarters for a mission debrief, his sense of purpose irreparably shattered.