Spy Kids

 Review

Common Sense Media says

Just the right combination of fantasy and comedy.
greenON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age.
yellowPAUSE: Know your child; some content
may not be right for some kids.
redOFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age.
not for kidsNOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age.

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Quality
 
Sometimes media can be age appropriate but a real waste of time. Our star rating assesses the media's overall quality.

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Parents say

Kids say

What parents need to know

Parents need to know that this action-packed adventure includes a little bit of potty humor (which most kids will find hilarious) and one almost-swear word. Younger children might be scared by the mutant creatures, but most will find them more silly than frightening. Characters are frequently in peril (though it's usually played for laughs), and there's a certain amount of head-bonking violence. But no one even gets a scratch, except for one villain, whose encounter with flames leaves her having a very bad hair day.

  • Not applicable.
  • The movie strongly emphasizes the importance of family and teamwork. Villains get their due, and it's clear who the good and bad guys are. Some potty humor.
  • The kids have relatable issues and are brave and resourceful. Strong female characters and a diverse cast.
  • A good bit of peril and fantasy/cartoonish action violence, though it's often played for laughs. Fights and chases, plus falls, crashes, and explosions. Mutant creatures could be scary to some little kids.

What's the story?

Carmen and Juni Cortez (Alexa Vega and Daryl Sabara) are the children of Gregorio (Antonio Banderas) and Ingrid (Carla Gugino), once the cleverest spies in the world but now loving parents who make a living as consultants. Or so they say. It turns out that once the kids go to bed, Gregorio and Ingrid flip a few switches to connect to a command center that keeps them involved in spy missions, though now from a safe distance. When top secret agents start disappearing, Gregorio and Ingrid call on "Uncle Felix" (Cheech Marin) to watch the kids and climb back into their spy gear to go off and save the world. But then they, too, disappear, and it's up to Carmen and Juni to rescue their parents -- and, while they're at it, the rest of the world.


Is it any good?

 

Imagine James Bond crossed with Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory, and you might have an idea of what to expect in SPY KIDS, one of the best family movies of 2001. It has just the right combination of giddy fantasy, exciting adventure, wonderful special effects, and sly comedy to be ideal for 7- to 12-year-olds and their families. It's also notable for featuring strong female characters and and characters and performers from the Latino culture.


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What families can talk about

  • Families can talk about the movie's conclusion that spy work is easy compared to keeping a family together. What does it take to keep a family together and functioning well so that everyone's happy?

  • How does the violence in this movie compare to what you've seen in other movies? How does the fantasy element affect its impact?


This review was written by Nell Minow
Teen, 14 years old
November 14, 2009
 
Parents need to know thatb this is a movie that all ages can watch without a single concern.The movie preaches the importance of teamwork and family love. Iits a great movie that kids can relate too.The monsters may be a bit frightening but the little ones will get over it.

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Parent of 5, 7, and 11 year old
January 7, 2010
 
My kids love it
My kids have watched this movie four times in two days. Lots of action and adventure, but not violent. The positive message about Family is much appreciated.

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Teen, 15 years old
July 6, 2010
 
The Best Family Film Ever!
I think that this film is perfect for everyone. Kids often see the "violence" in everyday life, and should not scare them. Also, there are a lot of good messages.

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Kid, 12 years old
February 3, 2010
 
Perfect for kids!
Spy kids is an Excellent movie that I shall love forever!!! Spy kids has tons of action and can be really funny at some parts. And it teaches you a very valuable lesson! Plus I think the shiitake mushrooms thing (Somebody says oh sh*t...takie mushrooms) will go over young kids heads!

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Teen, 16 years old
January 17, 2010
 
spy kids, i don't like it now but i used to when i was 7. This movie is about a couple of kids who relise that they and there parents are spys and go on a lot of action packed adventures. The vilonce and peril is a bit constant but sense it was made for kids and is a PG rated movie seriouse injuries do not take place, And blood is not shown. But there are a few wierd looking creatures that may scare younger kids. and fights with bad guys and a few little exsplosions. For those reasons spy kids is not to be watched at all for kids ages 1-5. To be watched with a parent at age 6. And they should be ok to watch it alone at age 7.

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Parent of 15 year old
April 9, 2008
 
Great Movie for Kids...
SPY KIDS is a great kids' spy movie. It contains the wierd-ish sort of plot that comes from James Bond, and plenty of harmless but engrossing action. There is mild peril. The tenseness might frighten some youngsters, especially the secret agents who are turned into strange creatures (not very scary and off-screen). One child almost swears: "oh, sh*t(pause)take mushrooms". That's it. This film is great for young kids who want to see some action but are too young for Star Wars, Indiana Jones, or some other action flicks. Older kids interested in spy stuff should check out the Alex Rider books by Anthony Horowitz. Highly recommended.

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Teen, 15 years old
October 1, 2009
 
Pretty awful storyline and poorly directed, this one will amuse the younger kiddies but have the older ones groaning.

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Kid, 13 years old
July 1, 2009
 

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Teen, 16 years old
March 6, 2009
 
i love this movie. i think the 3rd is the best

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This review was written by Nell Minow
Topics:adventures, book characters
Studio:Walt Disney Pictures
Director:Robert Rodriguez
Cast:Alexa Vega, Antonio Banderas, Daryl Sabara
Genre:Family and Kids
Run time:88 minutes
Theatrical release date:March 30, 2001
DVD release date:February 18, 2003
MPAA rating:PG
MPAA explanation:action sequences

This review was written by Nell Minow
 

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About our rating system
ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age.
PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids.
OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age.
Learning ratings
BEST: Really engaging, great learning approach.
GOOD: Pretty engaging, good learning approach.
FAIR: Somewhat engaging, OK learning approach.
NOT FOR LEARNING: Not recommended for learning.

 

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