SPY KIDS
Released: March 30, 2001
Making a kids movie is tough these days. Usually fart and poo jokes make up the bulk of these movies (ala "See Spot Run"). By the time you finish watching those kind of movies you wonder why the studios are aiming them at kids since they are clearly adult and of low brow humor variety. Well, the king of all things adult, gorey and potty mouthed - Robert Rodriguez - returns to the box office with a kids movie that doesn't insult either kids or the parents that may be along with them at the theatre. Rather than relying on fart jokes, Rodriguez aims to create a Bond for babies - and succeeds! Antonio Banderas and Carla "Son-In-Law" Gugino are the married but retired spy team but it's their kids that anchor this movie, adding in all sorts of cool gadgets and action to boot. A cast of really good actors fill out the scenes including Alan Cumming, Cheech Marin, Tony "Wings" Shalhoub, Robert "T2" Patrick and Teri Hatcher. George Clooney, a Rodriguez vet in "From Dusk Til Dawn", makes a welcome cameo as well. Finally, a kids movie that you can safely send your kids to - and also enjoy on your own if you happen to be a slightly older kid too...
99 Minutes
Miramax/Buena Vista