Spy Kids Review
by SSG Syndicate (Ssg722 AT aol DOT com)April 12th, 2001
http://www.susangranger.com/
Susan Granger's review of "SPY KIDS" (Dimension Films/Miramax)
The family that spies together, stays together. That's the homespun philosophy behind this fantasy that pairs two "retired" spies with their unsuspecting children in a rousing adventure. It all begins with the Cortez kids, 8 year-old Juni (Daryl Sabara) and 12 year-old Carmen (Alexa Vega), listening to their favorite bedtime story, "The Two Spies Who Fell In Love," which reveals, through flashbacks, how their parents (Carla Gugino, Antonio Banderas) met and married. The Cortezes are now "consu ltants" but eagerly jump back into action when former associates mysteriously disappear. But their past still mystifies their squabbling siblings who protest, "Our parents can't be secret agents. They're not cool enough!" However, after a hasty trip down a hidden passageway to an escape pod that becomes a submarine, not only are Carmen and Juni convinced, but they're propelling the action, rescuing their parents from the evil clutches of Fegan Floop, a TV kiddie-show host (Alan Cumming, resembling Pee-Wee Herman), and his Floogle army of robotic children and Gumby-like "thumb-thumbs." Innovative, imaginative film-maker Roberto Rodriguez ("Desperado,""From Dusk Till Dawn") creates empowered junior James Bonds, wide-eyed with delight at their wacky, Willie Wonka-like gadgetry, while fostering pride in Hispanic culture. Teri Hatcher, Tony Shaloub and Cheech Marin head the supporting cast - with a quirky George Clooney cameo and groovy music. On the Granger Movie Gauge of 1 to 10, the PG-rated "Spy Kids" is a fast-paced, family-friendly 7. You can bet your electroshock bubble gum that, given the proper marketing, this could develop into a formidable franchise.
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