Movie Review
Spy Kids: All the Time in the World
Small Time Spies, Big Time Adventure
US Release Date: 08-19-2011
Directed by: Robert Rodriguez
Starring▸▾
- Jessica Alba, as
- Marissa Wilson
- Joel McHale, as
- Wilbur Wilson
- Rowan Blanchard, as
- Rebecca Wilson
- Mason Cook, as
- Cecil Wilson
- Jeremy Piven, as
- Danger D'Amo/Tick Tock
- Alexa Vega, as
- Carmen Cortez
- Daryl Sabara, as
- Juni Cortez
- Danny Trejo, as
- Uncle Machete
- Belle Solorzano, as
- Spy Baby
- Genny Solorzano, as
- Spy Baby
- Ricky Gervais as
- Argonaut
Jeremy Piven and Jessica Alba in Spy Kids: All the Time in the World.
I've never seen any of the previous Spy Kids movies and after seeing this one I can safely say that I hope I never see them or any future ones. It is aimed at very, very young and undiscerning children with nary a bone thrown to any grown-ups who might be watching.
It's been 7 years since the last Spy Kids film. With the old kids grown up they've had to focus on a new duo. Jessica Alba plays Marissa, a spy with the OSS. When the movie opens she's about to give birth - of course she doesn't let a little thing like her water breaking stop her from completing her current mission - and retire from spying. Her husband, played by Joel McHale, and her two step-kids don't know that she's spy. When an old enemy of her's resurfaces she gets called back into action and her step-kids, Rebecca and Cecil get dragged along, becoming the new Spy Kids in the process.
They keep a connection to the original films by making Marissa turn out to be the aunt of the original kids and having Juni and Carmen come back in supporting roles. Perhaps if I'd seen the earlier movies their return might have had more meaning but as it is I had no real reaction.
The jokes are all the lowest common denominator. Far too many of them involve puke or farts or some slimy substance landing on someone. A very much slumming it for the paycheck Ricky Gervais does the voice of the robotic dog who has been charged with protecting the kids, and he gets a few mildly amusing lines, but not many.
In line with the bodily function humor, the movie comes with a scratch n' sniff card that you are supposed to use when a number is flashed on the screen. Nothing original is done with it though. You can predict the smells, with bacon and farts contributing to the "hilarity".
There is a strong theme of family running through the movie. The villain's motivation involves his family and the lesson learned by the protagonists is to appreciate time with their family. It's a nice enough message, it's just too bad it was packaged in such a poor film.
Even if you have all the time in world, I suggest you don't waste your time on this movie.
Photos © Copyright Dimension Films (2011)
