Has there been a better family film in the last 10 years? I doubt it.
With two kids (9 & 7), I've seen most of the family movies released over the last 7 years (although I'm proud to admit that they didn't manage to pursuede me to see The Pokemon Movie :-) ), and I doubt I've seen one that they enjoyed more and certainly not one I've liked better. 101 Dalmations and The Borrowers were pretty good, but this is streets ahead and the even better news is that it's from an original story when everything else is a re-make or taken from a cartoon. The fact that this story comes from Richard Rodriguez who has made execellent but very adult movies (Desperado, The Faculty) makes it even more remarkable.
The story is probably pretty well known by now. Two children discover that their parents were actually spies who met whilst trying to "take each other out". Now they have disappeared along with a number of other top spies and the kids set out to find them.
Along the way, they get to use all sorts of incredible gadgets, have high-speed chases, and learn how to love each other and their parents (this is an American feel-good movie don't forget).
They encounter a dodgy chief spy played (perhaps over-enthusiastically) by Superman's Teri Hatcher (although given the way she ends up looking, perhaps she can be forgiven), the supposed villian - a willy Wonka type children's TV character - and the real villians.
The chases and thrills are well delivered and there's some great comedy. Of course the "pee" and "poop" jokes got the biggest lauchs from my lad, but there really were only 2 - this isn't a toilet-humour film. In fact most of the gags got laughs from grown-ups and kids. There are a few fights, but these are handled extremely well without being condescending. In fact they're done in a great, knowing way - "close your eyes kids, you won't want to see this".
In America, the film is getting bonus points in reviews because the heros are all latino. That doesn't make much difference here, but the kids are cute without being saccharine and put on a great show. The other hot topic over there is how cheap the film was - nowhere near the hundreds of millions of dollars wasted on some films. Obviously most of the effects were computer generated, but they look good and Rodriguez's use of local locations for filming (and seemingly almost making the film and music single-handedly) saved a lot of cash.
Anyway, that's far too serious for what is the best family film you'll see for a long time. I can't remember the last time 90 minutes went so quickly in a cinema. I hope you'll enjoy it as much as we did.
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Family - Director: Sarah Ball - Original Language: English - Classification: Universal - Starring: Neil Morrissey, Noddy Holder, Alison Steadman, Stephen Tompkinson, Chris Evans, Elton John, Bob The Builder
The Spy Kids Trilogy which begins with Gregorio and Ingrid two retired top secret agents, ... more
who are tasked with a mission when seven other spies go missing. But when they also disappear it is left for their children, Carmen and Juni to save them...
Advantages: Suitable for everyone, but unusually enjoyable. Take your kids and actually enjoy it yourself too. Disadvantages: A little saccahrin in places, but rises above this at the end/
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