Spy Kids: Armageddon

⭐️ ⭐️ (out of 5)

When the Spy Kids franchise began in 2001, Robert Rodriguez captured the attention of families with innovative green screen effects, campy, family-friendly comedy, and espionage fun for children. The combination connected with audiences, and the franchise became a box office juggernaut despite mixed critical acclaim. As the acclaimed director’s career has taken a few hits over recent years, it should not be surprising that he would revisit this lucrative series to see if he can recapture that secret agent magic.

Since the original cast has grown up and moved on, this reboot introduces the Torrez-Tangos as the latest family of spies. Nora Torrez (Gina Rodriguez) and Terrence Tango (Zachary Levi) have worked for the OSS spy network throughout their married life and have kept their work a secret from their children. That is until their precocious and innovative offspring win a contest allowing them to download their favourite online video game to their family system. Unknown to these siblings, their actions would lead them to inadvertently allow a virus into their parents' computer system that hopes to find a world dominating technology called Armageddon. These actions cause Tony (Connor Esterson) and Patty (Everly Carganilla) to be thrown into their parents' world of espionage as the video game developed by tech billionaire Rey “The King” Kingston (Billy Magnussen) comes to life. This brilliant foe manages to imprison the children’s mother and father, and the pair must train as spies to fend off this gaming innovator who wants to use their parents' technology to control the world.

As a parent who enjoyed watching this series with my children, there was hope that Robert Rodriguez would offer something exciting and new for a new generation. Unfortunately, instead of innovation, the writer/director leaned into past formulas to deliver this chapter in this franchise. What was groundbreaking and fun for families at the turn of the century feels dated and tired in this modern context. Despite an apparent influx of financial backing for this reboot, this Netflix production fails to ignite any intrigue in this new family and spy misadventures. Gina Rodriguez and Zachery Levi do their best with the two-dimensional characters they have been given. Still, the humour and action failed to hit their target this time. Esternson and Carganilla do their best to revitalise the franchise, except their characters lack the appeal of the original cast.

It could be argued the original series was based on overacting and goofy premises. Yet, this worked in that era, where this method felt original and paved the way for this franchise to flourish. The blame could be placed on familiarity with this formulaic method or that the campiness wasn’t taken far enough. However, whatever the problem is with the screenplay, the film will struggle to connect with modern audiences. Especially the tiresome buffoonery of the parents and the supposed brilliance of the children. This trope does not square with a couple who have been successful spies for years, and suddenly, their children are better as agents. Then, introducing cringe-worthy solutions for defeating the enemy is so painful that it makes farcical spy franchises like Johnny English and The Naked Gun look masterful.

Spy Kids: Armageddon looked to tap into the franchise's former glory, but only proves that some agents should remain undercover.

What should parents know about Spy Kids: Armageddon? This is a harmless option if your family has enjoyed this franchise over the years. Some creatures in the video game portion may be scary for younger viewers. Yet, there is little objectionable material, especially since the life lessons are painfully on the nose for all to learn. Thankfully, the parents have a strong relationship, even though the screenplay paints the father as an incompetent fool. Yet, the parents love their children and wish them the best in their lives. The film presents opportunities for parents to chat with their children about the importance of integrity, honesty, and family.

The integrity of the upright guides them, but the crookedness of the treacherous destroys them. - Proverbs 11:3

If you would like to discuss the issues associated with integrity and the Bible. Reach out to us at Third Space. We would love to chat about this and more.