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It hadn't been a great season for intelligent kids fare, at least not until Spy Kids came long. That film, however, neatly combines the more outrageous elements of James Bond spy movies with the fun aspects of kid flicks. Carmen and Juni are two normal kids whose parents Gregorio and Ingrid are anything but. You see, Gregorio and Ingrid used to be international spies. Then they got married and got out of the business. Sort of.

One day, however, danger comes knocking, and Gregorio and Ingrid are kidnapped by the evil Fegan Floop (Alan Cumming, Titus), whose dastardly deeds include a plan to take over the world along with a bizarre children's
show on television that makes Pee Wee's Playhouse look like an offshoot of Barney. All of this means it's up to Carmen and Juni to save not only the day but Planet Earth as well.

In normal hands, this sort of material would make me itch, but Robert Rodriguez (better known for the more violent fare of From Dusk Till Dawnand The Faculty) directs with genuine flair and style. In particular, the production design (by Cary White) is a wonder to behold. The various spy gadgets--a combination boat/submarine, jetpacks and cool glasses, and something called the "third brain"--would make Bond jealous. The bad guy's henchmen are dressed like cartoon characters on acid. Best of all, though, is Floop's isolated castle--a fabulous combination of Dr. No's hideout and something out of a Roald Dahl book.

In fact, much of Spy Kids reminded me of the sly wit and sense of wonder that you get from Roald Dahl. The movie assumes its child audience can keep up, and yet it never panders to the adults with irony or cynicism. Instead, the film rushes along at a spectacular pace. Kudos have to go to the child actors Alexa Vega and Daryl Sabara. They nicely capture the rhythms of a brother and sister (fighting and teasing alternate with playing and cooperation). Equally good are Antonio Banderas (Mask of Zorro) and Carla Gugino (Snake Eyes) as the children's parents. They're both suave and slightly inept, a nice combination for this sophisticated kids movie.

Not everything in Spy Kids works. The special effects seem like they're ten years old, and the villains aren't as compelling as we could've hoped for. But, on the whole, Spy Kids is quality entertainment. Your kids will love
it, and I suspect you'll find yourself smiling as well. 

J. Robert Parks 4/14/2001