Barnes & Noble

It's highly unusual for a studio to re-release one of its spring hits late in the summer, which is what Columbia chose to do with Spy Kids; ostensibly, cynics will say, to make a few more bucks while alerting fans to its imminent arrival on home video. But in truth, this unusual marketing approach only serves to underscore this surprise hit's unique and likely enduring appeal. Indie maverick Robert Rodriguez, who wowed action fans with his studio debut (Desperado) and avoided the sophomore jinx in his dazzling horror flick From Dusk 'til Dawn, brings exhilarating stylistic bravado to this wonderful fantasy. The setup sounds almost goofy: Self-confident Carmen and her insecure younger brother Juni Cortez have decidedly uncool parents -- but when a demented children's show host and his twisted minion capture Mom and Dad, the siblings spring to their rescue and discover that (whoa!) their folks are actually international superspies! In Rodriguez's imaginative hands, though, the payoff on this ridiculousness is absolutely sublime. As Carmen and Juni (Alexa Vega and Daryl Sabara, respectively) strap on the rocket-packs to save Mom and Dad (Antonio Banderas and Carla Gugino), the sense of gee-whiz adventure is irresistible. Alan Cumming and Tony Shalhoub make perfect villains, embodying genuine comic-book evil in their plot to rule the world using an army of cloned kiddie robots. Multiple viewings only enhance enjoyment of this pint-size Bondian adventure with its clever script, perfect casting, way-cool gadgets, and awesome special effects. Parents will especially appreciate that, save for one poop joke (okay, and it's a good one), there is no bathroom humor. And at a time when Washington is taking Hollywood to task for marketing inappropriate films to youngsters, here is a film that promotes family values. Count on the Cortezes to spy again together in sequels, and for imitators to follow in Rodriguez's creative trail. Donald Liebenson

All Movie Guide

In this reteaming of actor Antonio Banderas and director Robert Rodriguez -- their first film together since the 1995 feature Desperado -- Banderas plays Gregorio; he and devoted partner Ingrid (Carla Gugino), comprise the greatest pair of secret agents working. Both are masters of disguise and have the ability to prevent wars, but eventually they want to settle down and begin raising a family. Nine years later, after retiring and giving up the lives of super-spies, Gregorio and Ingrid find themselves at the call of duty again when techno-genius Fegan Floop (Alan Cumming) and his insidious, ruthless sidekick Minion (Tony Shalhoub) have plans for world destruction. The only hope for Gregorio and Ingrid are their children, Carmen (Alexa Vega) and Juni (Daryl Sabara), who are called upon to save their missing parents, eventually learning their former identities. The film also features Cheech Marin, Robert Patrick, and Danny Trejo. In the summer of 2001, five months after Spy Kids had become a major box office success, an expanded edition was released, featuring several minutes of footage not used in the film's original cuts (including special effects sequences that couldn't be completed within the film's original budget). Jason Clark

Product Details

• UPC: 786936161557
• Source: DIMENSION
• Region Code: 1
• Presentation: Wide Screen
• Sound: Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround
• Language: English, Français, Español
• Subtitles: English
• Time: 1:28:00
• Sales Rank: 7,144

This DVD is also available as part of a box set:

• Spy Kids / Spy Kids 2: the Island of Lost Dreams

Features:

DVD MENU