A real winner, this finds Rodriguez offering up a deft blend of slapstick and surrealism.

| Original Score: 3/4 | Dec 21, 2024

[Director Robert] Rodriguez... has a real affinity with kids and fills their odyssey with such real world hurdles as sibling rivalry and lack of self confidence in addition to the wicked supervillains, enemy spies, and double agents.

| Aug 20, 2023

It’s considerably colorful and entertaining while it spins in front of you; it’s also almost immediately forgettable.

| Original Score: B+ | Sep 3, 2022

[The film has a] jaunty spirit and a few bits of weirdness worthy of Roald Dahl.

| Aug 22, 2022

A fun, entertaining spy movie that feels universal in terms of action-adventure but yet manages to feel relatable to a specific demographic. Still holds up years after its release.

| Original Score: 4/5 | Jul 3, 2021

Spy Kids is no doubt the very film that Rodriguez wishes he could have seen as a kid and that he's now determined to give his own children.

| Feb 25, 2020

The visual effects don't really hold up 10 years later, but Spy Kids is still a charming, energetic, inventive kids' flick that balances its goofier side with its a sense of dramatic maturity.

| Original Score: 8/10 | Jan 29, 2012

Just the right combination of fantasy and comedy.

| Original Score: 4/5 | Dec 28, 2010

The kids play off each other very well and never miss a beat with perfect-timed humor and acting.

| Apr 29, 2009

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

Full Review | Mar 27, 2009

This year's most unlikely-and most successful-exhilarating family-type entertainment.

| Original Score: 4/5 | Aug 7, 2008

| Original Score: A- | Apr 30, 2007

The entire ensemble of old pros play their designated roles well; standing out are Cumming, whose trademark impishness fits this role like a glove; and Danny Trejo, playing a nice guy for a change and pulling it off wonderfully.

Full Review | Original Score: 3.5/5 | Jan 20, 2007

The coolest kid flick in ages.

| May 26, 2006

In terms of its family ethos, this makes an interesting comparison with the Addams Family films.

| Feb 9, 2006

Spy Kids is a frivolous but fun adventure movie that will give kids thrills and adults some smiles. Everybody goes home happy.

| Original Score: B- | Dec 6, 2004

Spy Kids slowly-but-surely wears out its welcome as it progresses into a frenetic midsection...

| Original Score: 1.5/4 | Aug 1, 2003

Full Review | Original Score: 3/4 | May 20, 2003

Pitched somewhere been the swagger of James Bond and the out there ambience of Willy Wonka, Spy Kids is a real treat.

| Original Score: 4/5 | Apr 16, 2003

| Original Score: 4/5 | Feb 8, 2003