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Spy Kids
Metascore
71 out of 100

Generally favorable reviews - based on 27 Critics

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 24 out of 27
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 27
  3. Negative: 0 out of 27
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  1. Austin Chronicle
    Reviewed by: Marjorie Baumgarten
    89
    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.
  2. Chicago Sun-Times
    Reviewed by: Roger Ebert
    88
    An intelligent, upbeat, happy movie.
  3. New York Post
    Reviewed by: Lou Lumenick
    88
    The most delightful family movie since "Stuart Little."
    All this critic's reviews
  4. Charlotte Observer
    Reviewed by: Lawrence Toppman
    88
    The film's full of in-jokes, from the Spanish-language billboards to the name of Banderas' character.
  5. Film.com
    Reviewed by: Ernest Hardy
    80
    A highly recommended treat.
  6. Los Angeles Times
    Reviewed by: Kenneth Turan
    80
    Lively, imaginative, with a playful sense of humor.
  7. Chicago Tribune
    Reviewed by: Mark Caro
    75
    A throwback to the family films of the 1970s, like one of Disney's goofy capers crossed with "Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory."
  8. Miami Herald
    Reviewed by: Rene Rodriguez
    75
    If I were 8, I would want to see it 800 times.
    All this critic's reviews
  9. New York Daily News
    Reviewed by: Jami Bernard
    75
    An adorable family movie.
  10. Philadelphia Inquirer
    Reviewed by: Carrie Rickey
    75
    Yummy and weightless.
    All this critic's reviews
  11. San Francisco Chronicle
    Reviewed by: Mick LaSalle
    75
    It's entertaining and inoffensive.
  12. USA Today
    Reviewed by: Andy Seiler
    75
    By emphasizing surreal humor and fast-paced action instead, Rodriguez has crafted a prepubescent version of James Bond without aping that series' style.
  13. Boston Globe
    Reviewed by: Jay Carr
    75
    Wacky enough and gadget-driven enough to appeal to bored kids looking for fresh energies.
    All this critic's reviews
  14. Entertainment Weekly
    Reviewed by: Owen Gleiberman
    75
    It's Alan Cumming who takes over the movie as the impish mastermind Fegan Floop.
  15. Mr. Showbiz
    Reviewed by: Michael Atkinson
    72
    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.
  16. TV Guide
    Reviewed by: Maitland McDonagh
    70
    The high-profile cast -- play their roles with just the right mix of seriousness and tongue-in-cheek self-awareness.
  17. Salon.com
    Reviewed by: Stephanie Zacharek
    70
    One of those gentle surprises, a kids' picture made with enough thought and care to keep adults entertained too.
  18. L.A. Weekly
    Reviewed by: Paul Malcolm
    70
    It's whiz-bang, techno fun, with a touch of Latino flavor.
  19. Village Voice
    Reviewed by: Michael Atkinson
    70
    Has an intemperate vitality that's hard to resist.
  20. Dallas Observer
    Reviewed by: Andy Klein
    70
    It's funny and exciting on enough levels that adults are likely to enjoy it just as much as the rug rats.
  21. The New York Times
    Reviewed by: A.O. Scott
    70
    An enjoyable and charming if overactive fantasy.
  22. Variety
    Reviewed by: Lael Loewenstein
    70
    Fulfills kids' empowerment fantasies and features enough techno-wizardry and cool f/x to satisfy those weaned on videogames.
  23. Washington Post
    Reviewed by: Stephen Hunter
    70
    As a piece of almost dadaist filmmaking, Spy Kids is great fun with its continual spirit of invention.
  24. Chicago Reader
    Reviewed by: Reece Pendleton
    70
    A slyly subversive adventure tale that should appeal to children and adults alike.
  25. Baltimore Sun
    Reviewed by: Chris Kaltenbach
    50
    The movie's not nearly as cool as the setup.
    All this critic's reviews
  26. Washington Post
    Reviewed by: Desson Thomson
    50
    Energetic and slickly done, but also somewhat soulless.
  27. Seattle Post-Intelligencer
    Reviewed by: William Arnold
    42
    One lousy little movie -- utterly devoid of any real originality or charm.
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User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
8.3 out of 10

Universal acclaim- based on 59 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 30 out of 32
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 32
  3. Negative: 1 out of 32
  1. grandpajoe6191
    7
    Unpredictable, joyful, and crazy. Robert Roderiquez's new family kid film "Spy Kids" can be described with these 3 words.
  2. ReneeA.
    10
    I loved it.
  3. paulgreen
    10
    Like it !
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