Spy Kids MPAA Rating: PG Entertainment: +3 1/2 Content: +2

Eat your heart out, James Bond the Spy Kids have landed. Ten-year-old Carmen (Alexa Vega) and her younger brother Juni (Daryl Sabara) find themselves on a desperate search for their kidnapped parents, Ingrid and Gregorio Cortez (Carla Gugino and Antonio Banderas). To their surprise, the children learn their parents are internationally famous special agents. This fantasy adventure is a kaleidoscope of non-stop action, amazing special effects, clever robots that are literally "all thumbs" and mutant doubles developed from captured agents. Carmen and Junis journey includes driving a high-tech automobile off a cliff into the sea, then traveling underwater where they are trapped by evil Fegan Floop (Alan Cumming). Floop, a childrens television host and former spy himself, is capturing agents one by one and turning them into mutant monsters, a fate planned for his latest victims, Ingrid and Gregorio. SPY KIDS is like watching a virtual reality computer game, but also has something for the parents, making it a sure bet at the box office.

Juni and Carmen behave like most brothers and sister, arguing, calling the other "stupid" or making fun of each other. Rebellious Carmen has been skipping school for a mysterious reason and Juni's hands are covered with warts, supposedly because he is afraid of everything. But in their quest to save their parents, Carmen realizes how important family is and Juni's fears, and warts, disappear once their "mission impossible" is complete. Many confrontations, chases and dangerous acts include painful falls, heads slammed into walls, and Gregorio thrown through a window. But no one seems to suffer pain or injury, as they all jump right up and continue on to another action-packed encounter. No foul language is spoken, but a shocked Carmen almost blurts out an obscenity, but quickly changes it. Another time, a slang word for urinating is used. SPY KIDS makes for a fun family event suitable for video game-savvy kids six and older.

Preview Reviewer: Mary Draughon
Distributor: Dimension Films/Miramax (Disney), 375 Greenwich, New York, NY 10013