Spy Kids: Armageddon - A Reboot That Misses the Mark?
The new generation of Spy Kids, Connor Esterson and Everly Carganilla, find themselves in a predicament. Living in a sleek, modern home, they unknowingly assist a game developer, played by Billy Magnussen, in acquiring a dangerous computer virus. Realizing their mistake, these tech-savvy kids don’t back down. Instead, they embrace their inner spies to save the world alongside their parents, portrayed by Zachary Levi and Gina Rodriguez. The family must then confront the developer in a virtual world.
Everly Carganilla as Patty in Spy Kids: Armageddon
The Spy Kids franchise has been resurrected, but it seems to have faded from public memory over the past decade. Robert Rodriguez, however, is determined to revive it. While he may not be reaching for the stars as he once did, he continues his experimental approach to filmmaking. He directs films for children with a youthful enthusiasm, reminiscent of the boy who sought the Transmooker. Rodriguez often balanced his childlike tendencies with cinephilic elements, such as Sharkboy and Lavagirl alongside Planet Terror, Shorts with Machete, and the fourth Spy Kids film with Machete Kills and Sin City: A Dame to Kill For. Now, Rodriguez’s focus seems firmly set on the world of children’s fantasies, with Troublemaker Studios evolving from a creator of film classics to a more mundane workshop.
Zachary Levi as Terrence in Spy Kids: Armageddon
Familiar Territory, New Faces
Approaching this reboot is difficult, as the excitement of the original films has waned. The cast has been replaced with more ordinary actors, a problem that plagued the fourth installment. The director’s motivation has also shifted. While Rodriguez previously infused his films with playful creativity, Armageddon feels like a randomly generated product. One might even say, “A neural network could have created this film.”
The new spy kids, Connor Esterson and Everly Carganilla, lack the charm of Daryl Sabara and Alexa PenaVega. However, nostalgia can easily explain any fondness for them. The children are tasked with simple roles: defeating computer NPCs, resembling their cool parents, and flashing their youthful smiles. The older actors face a greater challenge. Zachary Levi and Gina Rodriguez don’t bring the same energy as Antonio Banderas and Carla Gugino. Levi, however, bears a resemblance to Ben Affleck, the star of Rodriguez’s recent flop, Hypnotic.
Gina Rodriguez as Nora in Spy Kids: Armageddon
A Recycled Formula
Armageddon offers little that’s new. It features a more detailed depiction of villainous schemes, an updated take on family roles (where girls are strong and decisive, a theme Rodriguez has explored since the ‘90s), and a weak combination of the first and third films’ plots. The film starts with the familiar spy antics and parental revelations, followed by a battle against the villain in digital landscapes that haven’t improved much since the third film.
Even in a polished streaming release, Rodriguez leaves his signature mischievous mark. These traces lead back to the person responsible for other acts of cinematic trickery, such as making audiences smell scented cards in the theater and calling it “4D.” In this sense, Armageddon is simply another creative relapse.