Common Sense Media Review
By Sandie Angulo Chen
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Spy Kids-style adventure is lackluster but may amuse kids.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 8+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
What's the Story?
Max Brinkley (Andrew C. Maier) is a precocious orphan who lives with his uncle Rick (William B. Davis), the CEO of a high-tech firm that has created a "super computer." After Max and his two best friends Scott (Spencer Esau), a whiz at hacking, and Jessica (Jennifer Lancheros), a martial arts wunderkind, are caught organizing a food fight, the principal orders them to do their community service working at a video-game company. There, they discover the company's executive has stolen a top-secret micro-chip from the FBI and end up apprehending him and his associate before the government agents.
Is It Any Good?
It's not terrible, but some the adult supporting characters should consider going back to acting school. They are either completely over the top (the health teacher) or soporifically monotonous (the FBI lead). But families in the market for a kid-friendly movie that's full of mild adventure may not care about the low production values and the laughable script, especially if parents don't plan to watch the movie with their children, who are much more forgiving about sub-par writing and acting.
At least Davis seemed to take his role as Uncle Rick seriously, and even that relationship is unbelievable (as is the plot point that has a school principal punishing students by having them work for a private corporation). The kids are fine -- they laugh, looked worried, and get physical on cue, but they aren't the charming child actors you know are destined for a career in acting. It's obvious the movie took a long time to finish, because the end has an epilogue set three years in the future. Surprisingly, that sequence is the most entertaining of the entire movie.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about why movies with kid spies so popular. What's the appeal of young characters who can hold their own against nefarious villains? Which movies in the genre are your favorite and why?
Is it realistic that a school principal asked Max and his friends to work for a video-game company?
What are some of the messages in this movie about troublemakers? How are adults portrayed? Are there any role models in the movie?
Movie Details
- In theaters : April 24, 2005
- On DVD or streaming : March 4, 2008
- Cast : Andrew C. Maier , Jennifer Lancheros , William B. Davis
- Director : Robert Burke
- Studio : Peace Arch Films
- Genre : Family and Kids
- Topics : Adventures , Friendship
- Run time : 80 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- Last updated : September 30, 2025
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