Jam Packed Full of Action & Stars!!!

Look out 007, there are new agents in town, and they could be your next door neighbors!

WHY DID WE CHOSE TO SEE THIS MOVIE?
Rain cancelled our family day trip to the local amusement park, so we scanned the newspaper to find something "kid-worthy" in the theater to get out of the house. We all agreed to see Spy Kids (even though we are probably the last ones to see it in the movie house!)

BASIC STORY-LINE?
Spies from either side of good and bad meet, get married, and have children. They try to settle down to live a semi-normal (extravagant) lifestyle. They are summoned by Devlin, their operative leader for a special mission, and the Cortez adults are so excited to break free for a taste of old time adventure! They are kidnapped by an evil person who has his own agenda for these world class spies. He wants the "third brain". Unbeknownst to the Cortez children, their parents are in peril, and their Uncle directs them to flee to a safe house. Alone except for each other, the children discover how to bond together, learn how to use spy stuff, and following a book on "How to be a good spy", head out to rescue their parents.


WHO WAS IN THIS FLICK?
My husband and I couldn't get over the amount of famous stars that kept walking across the screen. Just about an actor from every line of work graced our presence during this film. The film really marketed Banderas, but there were many many more stars!!!Here's a sample of who you'll see:

*GEORGE CLOONEY - Devlin, the OSS spy operative man. He gives out the assignments to the chosen agents. A few moment cameo is all you "Clooney" lovers will see.

*ANTONIO BANDERAS - Plays Gregorio Cortez - a semi-retired international spy, husband, and father of two children. Unbeknownst to his family, he was at one point a creator of an international spy electronic brain that could pose a threat to the world if in the wrong hands. He is called to help rescue/locate four missing OSS agents, and is really excited to "get to be a spy again".

*CARLA GUGINO - Plays Ingrid Cortez - a semi-retired international spy, wife, and mother of two. Desperate to break out of the 9 year bordom of everyday life and the lack of activity in her "spy job", she persuades her husband to let her go with him on the recently presented mission.

*ALEXA VEGA - is Carmen Cortez, eldest child of Gregorio, and Carla. Carmen is your typical bossy older sister, who enjoys picking on her younger brother. She's at the age of where she feels she doesn't need anyone, including her parents/brother because she can "do her own thing" now. She's so into herself, she doesn't realize her parents are spies.

*DARYL SABARA - Juni Cortez, a young boy who worries a lot, fears a lot, and is getting tons of warts on his hands from them sweating all of the time. He's constantly picked on by classmates, and his sister, so he's escaped into a perfect world where everyone is happy - Floop's television show. He idolizes Floop, and all of his characters. He feels they are his best friends. He has no idea his parents are spies!

*CHEECH MARIN - Portrays Felix Gumm - the children's supposed uncle who comes to watch them when their parents are called away on a mission - or going away on business as the children are lead to believe. The Cortez's safety is in his hands! He does his best!

*ROBERT PATRICK - Portrays Mr. Lisp - The bad guy who wants an army to help take over the world. He recruits Floop (the genius) to create the ultimate army, but he wants it done like yesterday!

*ALAN CUMMING - He is the brain-child, Fegan Floop. Floop is an international television star whose co-stars include mutated people/things that he has created in his own little mind. Where did he get the people to mutate? Watch the movie. He is also trying to create the ultimate army for Lisp, but he feels his creativity is being blocked by this demanding order. Floop wants his show to continue to be a success, and make it to the number one television rating spot!

*TONY SHALHOUB - portrays the mild mannered Alexander Minion, Floop's assistant/production manager. Minion gently directs Floop's thoughts and creations for his own mastermind plan. Minion's soft spoken nature, coupled with his diabolical plan makes to easy to pull a quick one on Floop and gets him to fall into helping him achieve his own personal agenda.

*TERI HATCHER - Mrs. Gradenko - old family friend of the Cortez parents, and also an OSS secret agent. But who's side is she working on?

*DANNY TREJO - ISADOR "Machete" CORTEZ - a man in a picture the children found. Their only hope to help rescue their parents. Machete owns/operates a spy equipment store, and is the creator of "Machete Products", a name brand spy equipment manufacturer. He holds a secret clue to this mystery!


WHAT DID I LIKE ABOUT THIS MOVIE?
The special effects were just as good as the movie Matrix. I actually think that some of the action shots were mimicked from that film.

Breath-taking landscapes, realistic underwater scenery, and beautifully decorated sets!

Futuristic and funny creations such as jet packs, electronic shock bubble-gum, instant spray cement, and a gigantic "guppy" underwater transporter were some of the neat gadgets! Super fast speed underwater, air-born, and twisting tunnel chases are really believable! You feel as if you are racing right along with the children.

Costumes were everything from very basic everyday wear, to frilly, brightly colored frocks. Great variety!

Imaginary creatures that brought a breath of creativity that has never been in any other spy movie I've ever seen. The best were the Thumbkins - five fingered thumb people (includes their heads)who were robots originally designed for Lisp - but were terrible failures - THEY WERE ALL THUMBS - YUK YUK!!

I also like the "true to life" confrontations that Juni and Carmen had throughout the film. They argued about everything, called each other names, and eventually got along when things got tough. A realistic grasp of how brothers & sisters really act!


WHAT DIDN'T I LIKE ABOUT THE FILM?
Nothing major - just nit-picky stuff...

Movie location? I just was lost as to where this was actually taking place (during the beginning scenes), then I soon realized this was imaginary - completely!

Parents? The Cortez's seemed a little wishy-washy for being international spies, but I'm sure 9 years out of the business will make anyone a little rusty.

Stolen idea, or borrowed? The virtual room (in Floop's layer) reminded me of the Virtual room as seen on Star-Trek - The next generation. 3-D special effects on large screens that envelope the person who ventures into that room. I was having a flashback to Star-trek episodes.

Mutilated people - I was a little concerned that these creatures would bring nightmares to my child. They were non-threatening, but pretty ferocious looking for little eyes. Older children will truly understand what/who they are, but younger viewers could get upset. (The young child in the row in front of us actually leaped up on his father's lap when they first came onto the screen).

WOULD I WATCH IT AGAIN?
I sure will rent this again when it comes out on DVD. I want to get another look at the special effects, and try to name all the other (Non-speaking) famous people who had cameo spots during this film!

Cute film full of adventure, family bonding, and a whole lot of cool toys to watch the kids play with. Fun for the whole family!


I'LL BET A MILLION DOLLARS THERE WILL BE A SEQUEL!!!