Getting by on little more than its contagious charm, this adolescent espionage sequel has about three-quarters the fun of its spry 2001 predecessor--but ultimately it's a rushed, slapdash, sequel-for-the-sake-of-a-sequel with less than half the plot and ingenuity. Carmen and Juni Cortez (Alexa Vega and Daryl Sabara) now work--unenthusiastically--for a kiddie division of their parents' spy agency, and the story follows a rivalry between our heroes and a pair of impudent, bratty, young upstart spies (Matt O'Leary and Emily Osment) as all four are assigned to recover a device that can render all electronic gadgets useless. Trapped on a hidden island with their high tech gizmos out of commission, the kids have to depend on their wits as they face down each other and the island's giant, computer-animated, genetically-altered critters. Writer-director Robert Rodriguez infuses Spy Kids 2 with spirit and vitality, but significant chunks of the pre-fabricated story seem randomly grafted into the narrative and the film feels sloppy and disengaging as a result. Optional. [Note: DVD extras include audio commentary by director Robert Rodriguez, the 22-minute featurette “Total Access 24/7: A Day in the Life of Spy Kids,” the 10-minute segment “Ten Minute Film School: Big Movies Made Cheap” about special effects shortcuts, the seven-minute “A New Kind of Stunt Kid” on stunts and training, the five-minute “School at Big Bend National Park” (with educational info about the park), the three-minute “Essential Gear: The Gadgets of Spy Kids” on props and special effects equipment, eight “lost” scenes with optional director commentary, “Isle of Dreams” music video with cast members, six behind-the-scenes montages, the game “Transmooker Trouble,” a stills gallery, art gallery, teaser trailer and DVD-ROM features. Bottom line: a generous extras package for a sure-to-be-popular if somewhat disappointing sequel.] (R. Blackwelder)[Blu-ray Review—Aug. 2, 2011—Lionsgate, 100 min., PG, $19.99—Making its first appearance on Blu-ray, 2002's Spy Kids 2: The Island of Lost Dreams sports a fine transfer with DTS-HD 5.1 sound. Blu-ray extras include audio commentary by director Robert Rodriguez, “Total Access 24/7: A Day in the Life of Spy Kids” featurette (22 min.), six behind-the-scenes montages (12 min.), a “Ten-Minute Film School: Big Movies Made Cheap” featurette on special effects shortcuts (10 min.), eight “lost” scenes with optional commentary by Rodriguez (8 min.), “A New Kind of Stunt Kid” on stunts and training (7 min.), “School at Big Bend National Park” educational info about the park (5 min.), “Essential Gear: The Gadgets” on props and special effects equipment (3 min.), an “Isle of Dreams” music video with cast members, trailers, and a bonus digital copy of the film. Bottom line: a solid Blu-ray debut for this second film in the popular family film series.]
Spy Kids 2: The Island of Lost Dreams
Dimension, 105 min., PG, VHS: $22.99, DVD: $29.99, Feb. 11 Volume 18, Issue 1
Spy Kids 2: The Island of Lost Dreams
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