Spy Kids (2001)

User Rating:

5.7/10   

Director:

Robert Rodriguez

Writer (WGA):

Robert Rodriguez (written by)

Release Date:

30 March 2001 (USA)

Genre:

Action | Adventure | Comedy | Family | Sci-Fi

Tagline:

Real Spies... only smaller

Plot:

The children of secret-agent parents must save them from danger.

Plot Keywords:

Secret Agent | Spy | Rescue | Children | Espionage

Awards:

2 wins & 10 nominations

Cast

Antonio Banderas	...	Gregorio Cortez
Carla Gugino	...	Ingrid Cortez
Alexa Vega	...	Carmen Cortez
Daryl Sabara	...	Juni Cortez
Alan Cumming	...	Fegan Floop
Tony Shalhoub	...	Alexander Minion
Teri Hatcher	...	Ms. Gradenko
Cheech Marin	...	Felix Gumm
Robert Patrick	...	Mr. Lisp
Danny Trejo	...	Machete
Mike Judge	...	Donnagon / Donnamight
Richard Linklater	...	Cool Spy
Guillermo Navarro	...	Pastor
Johnny Reno	...	Agent Johnny
Shannon Shea	...	FoOglie #1 / Flower

MPAA:

Rated PG for action sequences.

Runtime:

88 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English | Spanish

Colour:

Colour

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital EX | SDDS | DTS-ES

Certification:

Iceland:L | Canada:G (Quebec) | South Korea:All | Ireland:G | Canada:PG (Canadian Home Video rating) | Argentina:Atp | Finland:K-7/5 | France:U | Germany:6 | Hong Kong:I | Netherlands:AL | Norway:7 | Peru:PT | Spain:T | Sweden:7 | Switzerland:7 (canton of Geneva) | Switzerland:7 (canton of Vaud) | UK:U | USA:PG (38141) | Australia:PG | Singapore:PG

Filming Locations:

Atacama Desert, Chile

Company:

Dimension Films

Trivia:

Director Trademark: [Robert Rodriguez] [Actors]- Danny Trejo. His characters in Rodriguez films are usually named after a type of knife. (He plays Isador "Machete" Cortez)

Goofs:

Continuity: Before Floop "edits" Felix, he is holding the clay model of him in his hands with one glove on. When he remodels the clay, his glove suddenly disappears.

Quotes:

Juni Cortez: It needs... children.

Movie Connections:

Featured in "Troldspejlet: (#26.5)" (2001)

Soundtrack:

Floop Castle Theme

Good film, especially for what it is

This is a somewhat unusual film; it's a children's film, but it doesn't talk down to its audience. And as an added bonus, it can be watched even if you are over ten. As the far too little-known short Bedhead, Robert Rodriguez has here created a film for children, featuring children... which doesn't treat them with the lack of respect for the smarts and sense of logic that they do already possess. Adults often forget what children are like, and think of them as 'less' than the grownups. Rodriguez gives them(and us) a film that allows them a similar status to adults. The film has stuff that will appeal to kids(spy equipment hidden in children's things) but it isn't offensive to us who aren't. While it is more directed towards those of the preteen persuasion, it doesn't aim so low as to feel stupid for us who aren't of said persuasion. The plot is pretty good, though I guess it's not all that original... and as usual with children's films, the kids are the heroes, which puts too much pressure on them, as a Danish film critic so perfectly put it. The acting is a usual high(as most of the actors are quite talented), no performances really let you down, even the (intentionally)overplayed ones. The characters, many of them fairly clichéd and thin, are all credible. As with many(most) Rodriguez films, pretty much all of those that he's written, himself... there are subplots and such, many of which are either overly easily resolved or not properly addressed. The humor is pretty good, I laughed out loud several points, rather unusual for children's films, and I was never insulted by the humor. None of it tries too hard to garner laughs, either. The special effects are quite impressive, and though it's still evident that it's Rodriguez' mini studio, it will fool you for the very most part. The action is quite intense and exciting, and like the humor, it's got Rodriguez' unique touch. Any fan of Rodriguez(such as myself, which is by far the main reason I watched this very film in the first place) will enjoy this, if maybe not to the same extent as one of his typical films. I recommend this to any fan of Rodriguez or any of the actors, and definitely most kids. Very much worth watching, even if you've outgrown childhood. Indulge your inner kid. 7/10