Spy Kids Video

Average Rating:

It's bizarre seeing a Rodriguez movie that's rated PG, but he knows how to film action (comes from the Sam Raimi school), so it's just as fun. Banderas and Carla Gugino play two suave expert international spies who fall in love and marry (in a very cool, James Bond -esque opening) but realize they are too much of a target together, so they (supposedly) give up espionage to settle down and raise a family. They agree not to tell their kids what they did before, but the kids find out when the parents are kidnapped by an evil toy making genius, and set out, with a ton of really cool-a$s gadgets, to rescue them.

If you're a fan of Rodriguez, definitely check this out. I read an interview where he said he got the idea from his section of 4 Rooms, The Misbehavers (and hey, for most of the movie Banderas looks like he did in 4 Rooms, fine with me, whoo-hooooo!)and saw the little kids dressed in tuxes. To be honest, I'm personally never very thrilled to see movies that feature kids in prominent roles, but the movie was so entertaining I didn't mind; the kids are also great. Some of the humor is aimed at grade-schoolers, so it's not the funniest RR movie I've ever seen, but that's OK.

There's a ton of cool gadgets and weapons, most of them pretty original; the sets are also incredible, the art direction has a Terry Gilliam-type feel to it...with a little early Tim Burton mixed in.

I don't have kids, but it seems like a fine family movie to me; No-one gets killed, there's a positive message, there's Antonio Banderas to look at. RR regulars Cheech Marin and Danny Trejo (as a good guy!) show up; so does one of the stars of from Dusk Till Dawn in a cameo (hint: he is not a hard guy to look at). Maybe some RR fans will find parts a little sugary, but I didn't (then again, I'm a sap).

Very entertaining, and I don't think that a family spy movie has ever been done before. Not much in the way of extras on the DVD, just trailers, and if there are easter eggs, I couldn't find them, but the movie is strong enough to speak for itself.

Director Robert Rodriguez, best known for his ultra-violent films such as "El Mariachi," "Desperado," and "From Dusk Til Dawn," crafts an well-paced, well-told, and highly enjoyable story. I easily sat through this film in the theater, pleased with its impressive production values, acting, story, special effects, and its sheer imagination. I was engaged and interested from the very beginning, as were my kids (4 and 6). I remain impressed by the clearly adult themes (and visuals) of the opening boy spy-meets-girl spy bedtime story, as we slowly realize that the story being told was that of the now boring, predictable, and thoroughly domesticated mom and dad. We've watched this film dozens of times since, and it's still easy to sit through, great fun for both me and the kids.

The morals of the story are clear enough to any adult viewer: the importance of family and family support, the importance of believing in yourself, and the importance of being open and honest. My 4-year-old son picked up clearly on all three messages, without any pointers from me. By the end of the film, everyone has matured in one way or another, every character has gained insight, and the family is closer than it ever was before.

There are great supporting appearances by Cheech Marin and Robert Patrick (Terminator 2), although we sadly don't see enough of either. Alan Cumming as the fanciful and ultimately influential Floop is very enjoyable. Tony Shalhoub is great fun, as he is in any role, as the diabolical master manipulator, initially in the background who eventually becomes the ultimate bad guy, Alexander Minion. His best line, as he takes over: "I can assure you, it's MISTER Minion now." He gets his in the end, naturally, but it is not unpleasant or gory. It's actually quite comical, and he appears even to accept the final result/punishment he has brought upon himself.

There are a number of other celebrity cameos here, including Teri Hatcher, "Beavis and Butthead" creator Mike Judge as Donnagon, George Clooney right at the end as Devlin, and a very stealthy Dick Clark as one of Floop's financiers.

The story of the kids discovering that their parents are spies, having to strike out on their own with neither knowledge nor support, and then using their smarts and talents to take action to regain control of the situation and find their parents is plausible throughout, even when they're flying over the ocean and desert in personal jetpacks and mini-jet planes. We trace the kids from their home into the bad guy's lair, and the journey is easily believable and logical.

The gadgets are a treat, from mini-jet planes to personal flying Buddy Pacs to homing devices, electrostatic gum, pinpoint video cameras, submarine minivans, instant McDonald microwave meals, and a totally cool Super Guppy submarine. The best part is that the kids get almost all of the gadgets, and they put them to instant good use defeating the bad guys.

There are plenty of good comic bits to liven up the film as well, both jokes and sight gags. The kids act and talk like kids throughout, which adds to their plausibility of the film. The humor is both juvenile and adult, and presented in such a way as to keep the two separate, as they should be. There is no swearing, no blood or gore, no violence (some minor fighting), no gunplay or weapons, no nudity, and no drugs.

Spy Kids is original, creative family fare, great for a video/DVD purchase and repeated viewings at home. The messages in the movie are strong and highly positive, yet subtle enough not to overshadow enjoyment of the story, its characters, and their adventures.