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 Movie
Reviews
with Evelyn Gough.
Spy Kids (PG)
Written, produced and directed by Robert Rodriguez
 Carla Gugino and Antonio Banderas with Daryl Sabara (front left) and Alexa Vega (front right) in Robert Rodriguez' SPY KIDS.
Hang on to your seats kids! From the high-octane director of El Mariachi and From Dusk Till Dawn comes Spy Kids – an action-packed roller coaster of a film that doesn't let up from go to whoa.
Yep, it's that time of the year again – school holidays! And the inevitable film fodder aimed specifically at kids is clogging up the cinema screens. Thankfully when it's the calibre of Spy Kids everybody wins. Think James Bond meets Willy Wonka – with amazing special effects, mind-blowing fantastical creations and non-stop action. Throw in likeable characters and an entertaining story, then you've got a boredom buster of a film! (But be warned, the robotic thumb monsters who are literally all thumbs and very clumsy, had my 6-year-old nephew pretty scared.)
Oh and aunties, did I happen to mention it stars the very yummy Antonio Banderas as papa spy Gregario? Mama spy is played by Carla Gugino and their little bambinos (who have no idea that their parents are two of the world's top secret agents) are convincingly played by Alexa Vega and Daryl Sabara.
When their Mother and Father are kidnapped by the dastardly Fegan Floop (a very satirical Alan Cummings) whose diabolic plan to rule the world (not that again!) involves robot children, mutants and a corny television show, it's left to 12-year-old Carmen (Vega) and her younger brother Juni (Sabara) to take charge of the situation. Of course, that's if they can stop the sibling bickering for long enough…
This is definitely one of the best kid's flicks I've seen in a long time. It's imaginative, sharp and witty with a nice message that isn't laid on with a trowel.
And sorry 007, but you've been out gizmoed! Check out all the amazingly cool spy gadgets, and speaking of cool (and very scrummy) – watch for the special guest appearance right at the end.
Rating: 3 ½ stars
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