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Spy Kids
Dimension Films


8.7

based on 27 reviews
Read critic reviews
How did we calculate this?

based on 46 votes
Read user comments
Rate this movie

FILM:

MPAA RATING: PG for action sequences

Starring Antonio Banderas, Daryl Sabara, Carla Gugino, Alexa Vega, Alan Cumming, Teri Hatcher, Cheech Marin, and Danny Trejo

Prior to their retirement nine years ago, Gregorio (Banderas) and Ingrid (Gugino) were the two greatest secret agents the world had ever known. Now, as the two are called back to duty, their adventures put them into such danger that the only two people who can rescue them (and maybe the world) are their children! Sometimes the biggest heroes are the smallest ones. (Miramax)

GENRE(S):	Family/Kids
WRITTEN BY:	Robert Rodriguez
DIRECTED BY:	Robert Rodriguez
RELEASE DATE:	DVD: September 18, 2001 Video: September 18, 2001 Theatrical: March 30, 2001
RUNNING TIME:	90 minutes, Color
ORIGIN:	USA

All critic scores are converted to a 100-point scale. If a critic does not indicate a score, we assign a score based on the general impression given by the text of the review. Learn more...

Austin Chronicle Marjorie Baumgarten

There is a whole lot to be said for fun -- especially fun that can be shared by all -- and in this regard Spy Kids saves the day.

Chicago Sun-Times Roger Ebert

An intelligent, upbeat, happy movie.

New York Post Lou Lumenick

The most delightful family movie since "Stuart Little."

Charlotte Observer Lawrence Toppman

The film's full of in-jokes, from the Spanish-language billboards to the name of Banderas' character.

Los Angeles Times Kenneth Turan

Lively, imaginative, with a playful sense of humor.

Film.com Ernest Hardy

A highly recommended treat.

Miami Herald Rene Rodriguez

If I were 8, I would want to see it 800 times.

Philadelphia Inquirer Carrie Rickey

Yummy and weightless.

New York Daily News Jami Bernard

An adorable family movie.

Chicago Tribune Mark Caro

A throwback to the family films of the 1970s, like one of Disney's goofy capers crossed with "Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory."

San Francisco Chronicle Mick LaSalle

It's entertaining and inoffensive.

Entertainment Weekly Owen Gleiberman

It's Alan Cumming who takes over the movie as the impish mastermind Fegan Floop.

Boston Globe Jay Carr

Wacky enough and gadget-driven enough to appeal to bored kids looking for fresh energies.

USA Today Andy Seiler

By emphasizing surreal humor and fast-paced action instead, Rodriguez has crafted a prepubescent version of James Bond without aping that series' style.

Mr. Showbiz Michael Atkinson

Rodriguez has made a movie for kids, and the most and least that can be said about it is that parents, while hardly being catered to, will experience profound relief that the movie knows how to entertain and does so.

Dallas Observer Andy Klein

It's funny and exciting on enough levels that adults are likely to enjoy it just as much as the rug rats.

Chicago Reader Reece Pendleton

A slyly subversive adventure tale that should appeal to children and adults alike.

LA Weekly Paul Malcolm

It's whiz-bang, techno fun, with a touch of Latino flavor.

Village Voice Michael Atkinson

Has an intemperate vitality that's hard to resist.

Salon.com Stephanie Zacharek

One of those gentle surprises, a kids' picture made with enough thought and care to keep adults entertained too.

The New York Times A.O. Scott

An enjoyable and charming if overactive fantasy.

Washington Post Stephen Hunter

As a piece of almost dadaist filmmaking, Spy Kids is great fun with its continual spirit of invention.

Variety Lael Loewenstein

Fulfills kids' empowerment fantasies and features enough techno-wizardry and cool f/x to satisfy those weaned on videogames.

TV Guide Maitland McDonagh

The high-profile cast -- play their roles with just the right mix of seriousness and tongue-in-cheek self-awareness.

Washington Post Desson Thomson

Energetic and slickly done, but also somewhat soulless.

Baltimore Sun Chris Kaltenbach

The movie's not nearly as cool as the setup.

Seattle Post-Intelligencer William Arnold

One lousy little movie -- utterly devoid of any real originality or charm.

The average user rating for this movie is 8.7 (out of 10) based on 46 User Votes
Note: User votes are NOT included in the Metascore calculation.

Sam gave it a7:
It's a good movie, decent effects, likeable characters, and the sequel is pretty good to. It's to bad they released 3-D and the horrible spin-off Shark boy and Lava Girl.

[Anonymous] gave it a7:
Harmless fluff that occasionally entertains the grownups. Some of the ideas feel like they were written under the influence of drugs, though.

Victor M. gave it a 9:
It's an excellent film.

Pat C. gave it a 6:
No complaints. Generally harmless for kids and adults.

Alyssa S. gave it a 10:
I really liked spy kids. When I first got it, me and my brothers and sisters could not stop watching it. I still like like it now. I think that this would be a movie that a lot of people should want to get.

Dave c. gave it a 7:
Great fun for the whole family and I love the way it relates so well to the family audience. It simultaneuosly brings to life the kinds of things lurking in the overactive imaginations while poking fun at the way kids are drawn into mind rotting escapism such as Floop's TV show. All the while being a fun filled adventure and as far as spy films go, 007 had better quit while he's ahead, because this more betetr than any Bond film to come out in the last 20 years. The only criticism I could give the film is the really bad special effects and lack of genuine heart that we see in other family films like Toy Story 2 and Shrek and the characters are too casual to be in any way lovable. Otherwise, this is well worth your time. Rent it out and watch it with your kids, you won't regret it.

Spy Kids Dimension Films

Spy Kids
Dimension Films