(Also now available: my review for Spy Kids 2: The Island of Lost Dreams)
Spy Kids takes a wonderful idea and brings it to life. It seems like we and Hollywood never seem to tire of valiant adventures where such admirable and memorable characters as James Bond, Indiana Jones, or even Batman can save the day time and time again. But all of these movies and more will feature adult men (and sometimes women) as our heros. With Spy Kids however, we are treated to the notion that the fate of the world lies in the much smaller hands of two children.
Carmen and Juni Cortez (played by Alexa Vega and Daryl Sabara, respectively) are two normal kids, with two normal and incredibly boring parents (or so they think!). Little do they realize that their father, Gregorio Cortez (Antonio Banderas), and their mother, Ingrid Cortez (Carla Gugino) were once the two top spies in the world (they have since retired to raise their family).
When a new and evil mastermind is behind a plot to rule the world, Carmen and Juni's parents are called out of retirement to "save the day." However, even the two greatest spies in the world soon find themselves in over their heads, and it is up to their two children to rescue them.
This movie is a pure delight. It is filled with a sense of fun and adventure. The cartoonish villains allow this movie to be viewed by children of all ages, and the inferences made to spy films of old are sure to entertain their parents as well.
I really enjoyed seeing all of the wonderful spy toys and inventions. These kids were decked out with a great array of gadgets and gizmos, supplied by their uncle Machete, that would make both James Bond and Batman quite jealous. For instance, these kids were equipped with spy glasses, a spy watch, and coolest of all, jet packs.
Another aspect of this film which was done incredibly well was the fact that it allowed our childlike heroes to be just that: children. These kids showed emotions that any two American kids would: immaturity, clumsiness, and fear. They even quarreled with each other as any two siblings would. However, they also were able to take on more meritorious qualities by showing courage, hope, and love.
The true gem of this movie however is its wonderful moral, of which is getting harder and harder to find these days. This movie teaches us the importance of family, and that a family that sticks together can accomplish anything.
One of the most enjoyable movies for kids that I've seen in a long time.
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