Robert Rodriguez had his reputation of one of the most interesting present-day American film makers built on action films that included very original and stylish displays of graphic violence, nudity or scantily women. That sort of content was clearly intended for adult audience but Rodriguez has also shown the other, much softer and more innocent, side of his personality by investing the same amount of passion and talent into what would become one of the most successful family-oriented films franchises at the start of 21st Century. Its first instalment was 2001 film Spy Kids.
The protagonists are children of Gregorio Cortez (played by Antonio Banderas) and Ingrid Cortez (played by Carla Gugino), former rival spies who have fallen in love and instead married and began to rise family. Many years later they still work as outside consultants for Organization of Super Spies (OSS), although they are more dedicated to their daughter Carmen (played by Alexa Vega) and son Juni (played by Daryl Sabara). They have worked hard to keep children from the true nature of their work, but when their investigation of suspicious activities of children’s television host Fegan Floop (played by Alan Cummings) have them abducted, family friend “Uncle” Felix (played by Cheech Marin) tells them about their parents being spies. Carmen and Juni are determined to set their parents free and use parents’ gadgets to track them down. In the meantime Floop and his top henchman Alexander Minion (played by Tony Shalhoub) have devised the plan to replace children of world’s leaders with their robot replicas, but before they can put the plan into motion, they must find The Third Brain, AI originally developed by OSS.
Robert Rodriguez has wanted to make a film like Spy Kids since childhood, imagining a story in which children would experience adventures of the adult spies. This makes the “high concept” behind this film, that would otherwise result in another soulless Hollywood comedy, more personal and Rodriguez clearly invested a lot of energy and talent to make it work on screen. With series of hits and critically acclaimed hits behind him and support of Miramax, which was one of the more powerful Hollywood studios at the start of 21st Century, Rodriguez had the opportunity to turn his childhood dreams into reality. The result is incredibly playful and entertaining film, where Rodriguez’s mastery with quick editing combined with CGI results in very impressive experience. What makes this film even better is that Rodriguez has found the perfect spot between film that is simple enough to be understood and enjoyed by children and the film dark and sophisticated enough to be enjoyed by adults. A lot of its success has to deal with very good cast that includes Alexa Vega and Daryl Sabara in title roles, although those two actors are overshadowed by more stellar presence of Antonio Banderas and Carla Gugino who has great chemistry with Spanish superstar while playing his wife. Supporting players are also good, which includes Alan Cummings as television host modelled after Pee Wee Herman, Tony Shalhoub who has a time of his life playing villain and Danny Trejo in small but wonderfully entertaining role of Gregorio’s estranged brother. General impression is further improved by very good music soundtrack by Danny Elfman. Despite the silliness and lack of depth that can be expected from Rodriguez, Spy Kids is a good film and, as such, it deserved its success at the box office. This success was followed by three more sequels, 2018 animated television series and 2023 semi-reboot Spy Kids: Armageddon.
RATING: 6/10 (++)
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