Plot: Carmen (Alexa Vega) and her brother Juni (Daryl Sabara) think their parents, Ingrid (Carla Gugino) and Gregorio (Antonio Banderas) are boring. What they don't know is that their parents are international retired spies of the OSS (Organization of Super Spies). Their parents decide to go on a mission but get kidnapped by Floop (Alan Cumming), the star of a TV show watched by Juni. Carmen and Juni must now save their parents and stop an even bigger evil plot.
Review: This is a great movie. Not just for kids, but older people too. The plot itself is very kid-orientated, which makes sense because the movie is being carried out by Carmen and Juni. What I love about the plot is that it's very original. For a spy movie, you'd expect the same cliche plot. But I found the movie's plot to be original, unique and fun. The gadgets, the villains and everything felt fresh to me.
The film has a good balance of comedy, which kids and adults will find funny. What I like about the humor is that it doesn't feel like they're trying too hard and going over the top, which I like. I find that there are too many movies, especially kids movies, that try too hard with the humor, and this one doesn't.
The acting is very good here. Antonio Banderas and Carla Gugino are very good as Gregorio and Ingrid and I find them to be a believable couple. Alan Cumming is also good as a comedic, misunderstood "villain". The supporting cast that consist of actors such as Teri Hatcher (as Ms. Gradenko), Danny Trejo (as Machete, Gregorio's estranged brother) and Tony Shalhoub (as Minion) are very good. But the real stars of the movie are Alexa Vega and Daryl Sabara. This movie is what made them famous. Alexa Vega does a good job of portraying Carmen's frustrations, intelligence, strength and determination and acting as the older sibling that must take charge. Daryl Sabara is also very good as Juni and capturing his insecurities, loneliness and maturity as a strong and intelligent spy. The film is very well-cast and I didn't a major weak actor.
Visually, the film is great. Floop's castle, the Cortez home and all locations are great. It's a very colorful film and it's not one of those movies that I felt went over the top. It seems to be going over the top, but it doesn't. It holds a nice balance.
The theme in the film is family and I like that it recurs throughout the entire film and shows itself in the plot and characters clearly. There are some movies that you have to trench to get the theme, but the theme in Spy Kids for me, was pretty obvious.
This is an entertaining, original, funny and unique film that the entire family will enjoy.
Rating: 4/5
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