Spy Kids: Super Fun

Rated PG

Dad and Mom share a secret. Disguised as two normal every day parents, Gregorio Cortez (Antonio Banderas) and his lovely wife Ingred (Carla Gugino) actually work for a super secret spy organization. I would tell you the name of the outfit, but then I’d have to kill you. (Actually, I forgot.)

Anyway, Gregorio and Ingred go on a super secret spy assignment. While they are away doing battle with the super sinister techno-villians and trying to save the world from a fate worse than Y2K, someone must look after their two kids, Carmen (Alexa Vega) and Juni (Daryl Sabara). Enter Uncle Felix (Cheech Marin), kid protector and super secret fake spy uncle.

Things go super-critical super fast when the techno-goons, known as “thumb-thumbs,” show up. These android musclemen may be all thumbs, but they pack a mean punch, and they intend to kidnap the kids. Uncle Felix, ever the protective super secret spy uncle, fights off the techno-goons until Carmen and Juni can make a hasty escape in their super secret escape vehicle.

Meanwhile, Mom and Dad, the super brilliant spy team, waste no time getting captured by the evil techno-villians. If Mom and Dad do not divulge the secret of the Bionic Brain, they will be tortured, killed or worse — forced to watch Jerry Springer re-runs.

The kids, armed only with youthful exuberance, highly sophisticated armaments and a top secret spy manual, set out to find their captive parents and rescue them from the clutches of the evil techno-villians. Will these darling little bed-wetters discover the super secret location in time to stop the senseless torture of their beloved spy parents? Or will they arrive just in time for the bar-b-que?

This high tech romp through fantasy-land captivates as it mesmerizes. The compelling mixture of animation and special effects dazzles the senses and draws the viewer into the action. It delivers a super fun experience for the whole family. I give it an “A.”

Dixie says: If you take a sister and brother who don’t see eye to eye on things (imagine that) and add a great story, what do you get? One of the best movies of the year. It may not win any awards, but I think everyone did a splendid job. And the Mom and Dad spy bit? Great concept. The only spying my Mom and Dad ever did was when they spied on us kids. The part of the movie that really hit home for me was when Carmen said, “Spying is easy. Living in a family is hard work.” What a profound statement. I got all misty.

This movie offers something for everyone. The kids will love the cartoons, the brilliant colors and seeing other kids in movies. The men will enjoy the witty dialogue, the interesting story and the delightful special effects. And for us women… Antonio Banderas. He can spy on me any time he wants. Oops. I’m getting all misty again. I give the movie an “A” for Antonio.

Don & Dixie Mitchell