Spy Kids: A Nostalgic Look Back at a Family Adventure
While Antonio Banderas might not have had as much screen time as the adults would have liked, “Spy Kids” was a pure joyride from a kid’s perspective. The story revolves around two siblings, Carmen (Alexa Vega) and Juni Cortez (Daryl Sabara), who discover that their seemingly ordinary parents (Banderas and Carla Gugino) were once top-secret spies. When their parents are kidnapped, the kids embark on a thrilling mission to rescue them and save the world from a sinister plot involving stolen “little brains” and an army of robotic children.
The film is a visual feast, with the young spies zipping around New York on jetpacks, navigating underwater tunnels in a transforming torpedo, and using bubblegum that delivers electric shocks. The fantastical world of Fegan Floop’s (Alan Cumming) castle is a vibrant wonderland of candy-colored landscapes and whimsical inventions. Director Robert Rodriguez doesn’t hold back on the special effects, and the film seems to tap into a child’s imagination and psychology. The plot of “Spy Kids” is so outlandish that it could only be born from the mind of a child.
Rodriguez’s Recipe for Success
Rodriguez, known for his earlier works like “El Mariachi,” “Desperado,” and “From Dusk Till Dawn,” had earned the right to have some fun. Even if “Spy Kids” hadn’t been a hit, it would have still found an audience. With a large family of his own, including three sons with producer Elizabeth Avellan, plus Banderas’s and Cheech Marin’s families, there was already a built-in fanbase. Fortunately, “Spy Kids,” with a budget of $35 million, more than tripled its investment. Nevertheless, the film is still made specifically for cinemas with a good bar.
A Treat for Kids and Parents Alike
“Spy Kids” offers a magical, kid-friendly take on the James Bond genre, providing entertainment for both children and their parents. The opening scenes, where the parents are spies, are captivating, showcasing Banderas’s charm and the allure of a secret agent romance. The film even includes a nod to the classic spy film “Seventeen Moments of Spring,” with a scene reminiscent of the famous meeting in the “Elephant” café.
Perhaps the film should be turned into a computer game in reverse order. The children should be sent to a summer camp, the husband should be told that you are calculating the family budget in “Excel”, and you yourself should hug, hug Banderas at least on the monitor.