'Spy Kids 2' successfully recreates magic of first film

By Jack Garner
Gannett News Service

SPY KIDS 2 (Rated PG with mild violence) Three Stars (Good) An amusing, high-energy sequel to the family-film romp about two pre-teen siblings who are stars of the Spy Kids branch of our espionage service. Antonio Banderas and Ricardo Montalban star along with impressive youngsters Alexa Vega and Daryl Sabara. Robert Rodriguez writes and directs (and edits, and photographs, and designs). Dimension, 100 minutes.

And, in the spirit of junior James Bonds, that's what they do in "Spy Kids 2," another entertaining romp for all.

This time, though, the kids need more help. Not only are Mom and Dad lending support, but their spunky, high-spirited grandparents zoom in for a major assist.

And that just adds to the fun in Robert Rodriguez's delightfully offbeat family film franchise. And, yes, it's all his. He's the writer, director, cinematographer, production designer, and editor.

Once again, Alexa Vega and Daryl Sabara play Carmen and Juni; and once again, they do it with pizzazz and style and chemistry that belie their young ages. That's key, since they play the children of an adult spy played by the dashing Antonio Banderas, and his wife and fellow spy, played by Carla Gugino.

Together they form an exceptional and amusing family, who approach espionage and saving the world like most families approach preparations for a kid's soccer game.

And, as a welcome bonus, the "Spy Kids" family is Hispanic, which may be a first for a popular family movie series. (Fittingly, the children's retired-spy grandfather is played by one of Hollywood's greatest Hispanic veterans, Ricardo Montalban.)

In "Spy Kids 2," the youngsters face competition from rival spy kids, Gary and Gerti (Matt O'Leary and Emily Osment, sister of Haley Joel). The newcomers have gotten a plum assignment because of the political maneuvers of their father, spymaster Donnagan (Mike Judge). But our heroes figure out how to get involved anyway — and, for that, the world can be thankful.

The plot, which is a bit muddled, involves monsters being created on an island, not unlike the mythical rock ruled over by the infamous Dr. Moreau. This mad scientist is played as affectionate and nonthreatening, but also wacky, by the perfectly cast Steve Buscemi.

Once on the island, writer-director Rodriguez indulges his obvious affection for the special-effects fantasies of Ray Harryhausen, duplicating a lot of the stop-motion animation creatures Harryhausen put into such films as "Jason and the Argonauts" and the "Seventh Voyage of Sinbad."

Like the Bond films and other franchises, "Spy Kids 2" suffers from more-is-better thinking. The kids use gadgets galore on their mission, including a few that qualify as tacky camp, while others are hip and cool.

All in all, "Spy Kids 2" delivers enough of the playful energy and wit that made the first film a surprise hit last year. If you can't have fun when you're saving the world, what's the point?

Rated PG with mild violence.