I have yet to see this update, but I am a big fan of the original series with Don Adams (thanks for stopping by and chiming in by the way). It was Max's naivete and self-assuredness in almost every situation that often (usually) set the stage for the inevitable blunder to follow.

I feared from the beginning that remake would lose the essence of the character of Maxwell Smart. From the previews it is obvious that the writers and producers HAVE taken the character in a different direction (in the original Max was one of the best agents despite his almost complete incompetence – with a little help from 99, of course).

I'm interested to see how they've chosen to portray the character, but, like you, I fear I will be greatly saddened if the character on the screen bares little resemblance to the Maxwell Smart I grew up laughing at.

That said, for the writers of the next remake, here’s a tip: The essence, the fun of the Don Adams character was his child-like confidence and his bravado (not unlike the character often played by Bob Hope) presaging the inevitable catastrophic blunder. “Sorry about that.” Seeing a man slip on a banana peel is funny. Seeing a pompous man slip on a banana peel is infinitely funnier.

Any writer charged with vetting agent 86 should start by studying the origin of the Get Smart character–Don’s early stand-ups. Like his self-assured attorney defending his client sitting in the witness chair: “Look at those trim ankles, the well turned calf, the dimpled knees. Now I ask you. Are those the legs of a homicidal maniac?”
Joseph C. Cavella
HowToWriteComedy.com

yeah, thats somethin an old guy would say, right? I'll work on it…

If it is I'm dieing because that's pretty funny.