While Antonio Banderas might not have a huge presence for the adults in the audience, for kids, this movie is pure joy. A young brother and sister, eight and twelve years old respectively (Daryl Sabara, Alexa Vega), become captivated by a seemingly innocent children’s show hosted by the eccentric Floop (Alan Cumming). However, these aren’t just toys; they’re actually enchanted agents from various intelligence agencies. Their parents (Antonio Banderas and Carla Gugino) were once spies themselves, and now it’s up to the kids to rescue their captured colleagues.
Unbeknownst to Mom and Dad, the enchantment is merely a ploy to steal Dad’s invention: miniature brains. These brains can be implanted into electronic children created by an old nemesis of Dad’s, forming an army poised to conquer the world. It falls to the brother and sister to uncover the theft, embark on a thrilling chase, and ultimately save their parents from captivity.
They zip through New York City with jetpacks, navigate underwater in a transforming torpedo, and use electroshock bubblegum. When they finally reach Floop’s magical castle, it’s a whimsical wonderland of sugary delights. Everything is awash in pinks, blues, yellows, and greens, creating a dazzling spectacle. Robert Rodriguez doesn’t hold back on the special effects, and he seems to have tapped into a blend of elaborate child psychology and his own experiences as a father. The plot of “Spy Kids” is so outlandish that it can only be explained through the lens of childhood imagination.
Considering Rodriguez’s previous works like “El Mariachi,” “Desperado,” and “From Dusk Till Dawn,” he’s earned the right to indulge in some fun. Even if “Spy Kids” hadn’t been a success, it would still have found an audience. Rodriguez himself has three sons with the film’s producer, Elizabeth Avellan. Banderas has three children (two from previous marriages with Melanie Griffith), and Cheech Marin (Uncle Felix) has three as well. Tony Shalhoub (Minion) has two daughters, and Teri Hatcher (Mrs. Gradenko) has a four-year-old girl. That’s already a dozen viewers accounted for! Fortunately, “Spy Kids,” with a budget of $35 million, has more than tripled its investment. Nevertheless, the film is still best enjoyed in theaters with a well-stocked bar.
Let the kids revel in this magical, kid-friendly take on James Bond, while the parents need a drink after seeing Banderas. For the first ten minutes, parents sit in the theater, making sure the kids are enjoying themselves. At the same time, they watch spy Banderas get married and die of envy. First, his fake mustache is irresistible; second, you can fall in love in a clever, not stupid, way if you serve in warring intelligence agencies; third, there is simply a moment from Stirlitz (the famous meeting in the Elephant cafe). After watching this, any parent will inevitably look closely at the parent who cannot stand comparison, and will not be able to do without a double bourbon.
Alternatively, the movie should be quickly turned into a computer game in reverse order. Send the children to summer camp, tell your husband that you are using “Excel” to calculate the family budget, and hug, hug Banderas, at least on the monitor.