Spy Kids 2: The Island of Lost Dreams Review
by Homer Yen (homer_yen AT yahoo DOT com)August 9th, 2002
"Spy Kids 2: The Island of Lost Dreams" – Sprints then Sputters
If you are a parent with some pre-teens or even just an entertainment-seeking soul and missed the original 2001 film, you missed a pretty darn good movie. Fueled by its creativity, color, and pep, it was a surprise hit and established itself as a good-time-James-Bond-for-kids kind of movie.
True to it's character, "Spy Kids 2" is very much targeted towards the elementary through middle school set. Yet, thank goodness that SK2 realizes that a kiddie film doesn't have to be inanely silly. There was this one trailer for a film called "Shaolin Soccer" about Shaolin monks that form a professional soccer team. It looked so insultingly stupefying that I will leave you to draw your own punchlines.
Though not as lively as its original, "SK2" does successfully replicate the same formula that made the other so appealing. We are treated to bright colors, an overabundant amount of special effects, goofy villains, and lots and lots of clever ideas. The opening sequence features a humdinger of an amusement park for the masochistic. We see an extreme Tilt-A-Whirl ride called the Vomiter in which passersby are encouraged to open their umbrellas. And there's another over-the-top ride called the Juggler in which patrons not only spin at unbelievable g-forces in their modules but also are juggled by a giant machine. One can only imagine the long lines to get on the ride as well as the long lines to receive first aid afterwards. It also features a cadre of FAO Schwarz-like toys and contraptions. It's all quite neat looking.
The entire cast has also returned, and they look ecstatic to be back, as seen in the outtakes. Among them are the two title characters, Carmen and Juni (Alexa Vega and Daryl Sabara), now working for OSS Junior, the top-secret agency populated by kids-as-spies. These two are busy trying to establish their independence from their parents, fending off a rival brother/sister spy team, and of course, saving the world. As in the first film, their parents (Antonio Banderas and Carla Gugino) continue to keep a watchful eye on them, fearing that the children are growing too quickly and without the proper temperance.
Family values are a large component of this film, which provides it with a sense of warmth. As with the original, there are lessons about sacrifice, allegiance, and parental guidance. And, even the grandparents (Ricardo Montalban and Holland Taylor) get in on the act, who show that in-laws should be loved too.
"SK2" starts off with a bang, but somewhere around the 50th minute, the momentum slows down considerably. Just as a beautifully conceived submarine in the shape of a dragonfly loses its power as it reaches its destination, the movie loses its power as well once the kids arrive at their destination, The Island of Lost Dreams, where a powerful device needs to be retrieved. "SK2" was weighted down by too much bickering between the rival spy kid team, too much bickering between the parents and the in-laws, and the animation effects that started to look too obvious. We want more Ricardo Montalban and even more Alan Cummings, who returns to give a 2-minute cameo but whose scene provides 30-minutes worth of creativity. Yes, if only the pep matched its creativity and colorfulness, we'd have a real winner here. Sadly, it might make you say "shitake mushrooms."
Grade: B-
S: 0 out of 3
L: 0 out of 3
V: 1 out of 3
More on 'Spy Kids 2: The Island of Lost Dreams'...
Originally posted in the rec.arts.movies.reviews newsgroup. Copyright belongs to original author unless otherwise stated. We take no responsibilities nor do we endorse the contents of this review.
