‘Spy Kids’ for big kids too

There is a kid inside each one of us, a so-called “inner child.”
An inner child that still watches the occasional Saturday morning cartoon. An
inner child that loves to play with the little kids at family reunions. An inner
child that still laughs when “Home Alone” comes on cable every year.
It is that inner child that will like, and possibly love, the new Robert Rodriguez
directed family film “Spy Kids.” The movie appeals to the kid in all
of us, and is nearly impossible to resist.
Antonio Banderas and Carla Gugino play Gregorio and Ingrid Cortez, two ex-spies
that have settled down and become loving parents. While working as advisers
to their former spy agency, the Cortezs are kidnapped by the evil host (Alan
Cumming) of a children’s television show called “Floop’s Fooglies.”
Floop is turning former spies into deformed characters called Fooglies on his
TV show. Not only that, but the maniacal mastermind is also creating child robots
to take over the world. Okay, so the plot is a bit hokey.
The Cortezs only hope of rescue comes in the form of their two young children
Carmen and Juni. After finding out that their parents are world renowned spies,
the kids take immediate action and set out to rescue their parents from the
evil clutches of Floop.
Although the summary of the film’s plot may sound downright ridiculous
(and it may just be), it comes together really nicely in the film. In fact,
I’m going to go as far as to say “Spy Kids” is the best film
to come out so far this year. Of course, 2001 has stunk so far, but this film
is still great entertainment. Think of it as a family oriented “Charlie’s
Angels”: lots of action, lots of humor, and lots of fun.
What makes the film work is it’s clear direction. Robert Rodriguez has
directed a modern action classic in “Desperado,” a horror B-movie
with A list stars in “From Dusk Till Dawn” and an underrated teen
horror film with 1998’s “The Faculty.”
With “Spy Kids,” Rodriguez has grown from evolving filmmaker to mainstream,
established director without selling his soul to the devil, even though the
film does have a tie-in with what some consider Satan himself: McDonald’s.

Rodriguez has created a lush and colorful world in “Spy Kids” that
seems pulled out of a slightly warped children’s book. The film attracts
all your visual sensations without numbing your brain with an inane plot and
characters. The film itself is very silly and childish, but just as with “Charlie’s
Angels,” it is put together so well, with such intelligence, that you aren’t
insulted as a moviegoer. Instead you are thrilled to have such a good time.
Possibly the greatest asset of the film are its two child stars, Alexa Vega
as Carmen and Daryl Sabara as Juni. So many child actors in movies come off
as annoying, or as just plain bad actors. That could have sunk “Spy Kids.”
However, the two young actors are perfectly cast. I do not think either is
the next Haley Joe Osment, who made “The Sixth Sense” the smash that
it was, but the two kids in this movie deserve credit for pulling off the difficult
task of playing kids who are goofy without giving performances that are goofy.
Some people will inevitably hate “Spy Kids.” If they do, they will
fail to see what true fun it is. This movie is made for everyone, age 5
to 95. There is something here for every age of film-goer. Leave your cynicism
behind, and simply enjoy the ride.