Common Sense Media Review
By Sandie Angulo Chen
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Odd-couple spy/buddy comedy is wacky fun; lots of action.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 8+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
Spies in Disguise
Parent and Kid Reviews
Based on 48 parent reviews
Parents say the animated movie features humor and action that appeals to children, promoting messages of teamwork and nonviolence; however, it also includes elements that some parents feel are inappropriate, such as nudity, violence, and suggestive themes. While many find it entertaining for older kids and adults, there are significant concerns surrounding its suitability for younger audiences, leading to mixed feelings about its overall messaging and content.
- humor and action
- inappropriate themes
- mixed reactions
- suitable for older kids
- nonviolent messages
- parental guidance warning
Summarized with AI
Summarized with AI
Based on 69 kid reviews
Kids say this movie offers a blend of humor and action, but opinions vary on its suitability for young viewers. While some appreciate the animation and positive messages, many express concerns about the violence, mild nudity, and humor that may be more appropriate for older audiences than children.
- humor variety
- animation quality
- violence concerns
- nudity content
- family suitable
Summarized with AI
What's the Story?
SPIES IN DISGUISE is an animated spy thriller about two very different men. Suave master spy Lance Sterling (voiced by Will Smith) is known for not mussing his tuxedo while taking down international criminals, while awkward Walter Beckett (Tom Holland) is a young, brilliant inventor who creates spy gear. When a mysterious terrorist is able to use tech to disguise himself as Agent Sterling while committing violent crimes, Lance turns to Walter for help and unexpectedly drinks a newly perfected serum that looks like water. But the invisibility concoction doesn't make Sterling disappear: Instead, it turns him into a pigeon. While in bird form, Lance must team up with Walter as his new/unlikely partner in order to take down the face-stealing mastermind.
Is It Any Good?
Smith and Holland have great buddy-comedy chemistry and give this weird-in-a-good-way animated adventure a charming, crowd-pleasing vibe. Blue Sky Animation has an impressive track record with animal-focused comedies (four Ice Age films and two Rio movies), and Spies in Disguise continues the studio's streak with the wacky twist of Smith's smooth-talking agent turning into a talking blue pigeon (complete with a tiny tuxedo bow-tie tattoo). Some of the humor may go over very young viewers' heads, but tweens will appreciate the pigeon anatomy jokes, as well as the dark, drone-obsessed adversary (Ben Mendelsohn, who's quite comfortable playing villains and can sound quite chilling).
Although the two leads work mostly as a duo, the talented supporting cast includes Reba McEntire as Sterling's unit director, Rashida Jones as an internal affairs investigator (who believes Sterling has turned traitor), and Karen Gillan and DJ Khaled as her well-intentioned but misguided team. The Mark Ronson-produced soundtrack prominently features Rob Base's "It Takes Two" (for the Gen X parents), "Rocket Fuel" by DJ Shadow and De La Soul, "Fly" by Lucky Daye, and other high-energy tracks. But what really elevates this story is Walter's insistence on nonviolence (or at least nonlethal violence), creating gadgets and tech that focus on distracting and humanizing enemies with glitter-and-kitten bombs and other adorable innovations. The movie's sweet, heartwarming message of peace and understanding is one everyone could use.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the positive messages in Spies in Disguise. What does Lance learn about peaceful negotiation thanks to Walter? Why is it important not to be casually OK with violence, even if it's for government reasons?
Which characters do you consider role models in the movie? What are their character strengths?
What are your favorite buddy movies? Why do you think the genre works, particularly in action/adventure? Why are the buddies usually "odd couples" with very different personalities, strengths, and styles?
Do you think there's potential for a sequel to this movie? If so, what would you like to see more of in the story?
Movie Details
- In theaters : December 25, 2019
- On DVD or streaming : March 10, 2020
- Cast : Will Smith , Tom Holland , Rashida Jones
- Directors : Nick Bruno , Troy Quane
- Inclusion Information : Black Movie Actor(s) , Female Movie Actor(s)
- Studio : Twentieth Century Fox
- Genre : Family and Kids
- Character Strengths : Teamwork
- Run time : 102 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- MPAA explanation : action, violence, and rude humor
- Award : Common Sense Selection
- Last updated : December 11, 2025
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