Spy Kids

Spy Kids is an American media franchise centered on a series of spy action comedy films created by Robert Rodriguez. The plot follows two adventurous siblings, who discover that their respective parents are spies and become involved in an espionage organization when their parents go missing.

Background

Influences

Spy Kids was influenced by elements of both James Bond and family films. The films also exhibit Latin themes, as Rodriguez is of Mexican descent.^[1] Rodriguez has stated that the first film was "a fusion of Willy Wonka and James Bond",^[2] while the sequel was the "Mysterious Island and James Bond mix".^{[citation needed]}

The spy organization in the film series, dubbed the OSS. These initials are from the Office of Strategic Services, a former U.S. intelligence organization during World War II which later evolved into the CIA. The character Donnagon Giggles was named after William Joseph Donovan, the director of the original OSS.^[3] The initials in the Spy Kids canon are unspecified on screen, but, in one of the books, they stand for the Organization of Super Spies.^{[citation needed]}

Technical innovations

The first two films were shot with High Definition digital video,^[4] with parts of the third film using an anaglyphic process to create the 3-D effect. Audiences were given red/blue 3D glasses with their tickets in movie theatres. Four sets of these glasses were also included in the DVD release. The third film was used as a test for a special Texas Instruments digital projector which can project polarized 3D, which does not require the red-blue lenses, later reused for The Adventures of Sharkboy and Lavagirl in 3-D (2005).^[5][6]

Films

Spy Kids (2001)

After retiring from espionage for 10 years, Gregorio and Ingrid (Antonio Banderas and Carla Gugino) are pulled back into duty for their important assignment despite the fact they were out of practice, and were captured. Their two children, Carmen and Juni (Alexa Vega and Daryl Sabara), stay with their first uncle Felix Gumm (Cheech Marin) and discover the truth of their parents' past, which they had neglected to tell them because they were afraid that if they knew, they would picture danger at every corner; and decide to rescue them. On their first mission, Carmen and Juni manage to bring around their estranged uncle, Isador "Machete" Cortez (Danny Trejo), a genius gadget inventor and Juni helps to redeem a kids' TV show host named Fegan Floop (Alan Cumming). Together, Carmen and Juni thwart the plan of Floop's notorious second in-command Alexander Minion (Tony Shalhoub) to develop an army of androids resembling young children (including Carmen and Juni themselves) for a mastermind named Mr. Lisp (Robert Patrick) and his partner Ms. Gradenko (Teri Hatcher). The robots based on Carmen and Juni became part of Floop's own TV show. The film was shot on location in Austin, Texas and Latin America.^[8]

Spy Kids 2: The Island of Lost Dreams (2002)

As agents of the OSS, Carmen and Juni try to save the daughter (Taylor Momsen) of the President of the United States (Christopher McDonald) while facing a particularly hard competition with Gary and Gerti Giggles (Matt O'Leary and Emily Osment), the two children of a double-dealing agent Donnagon Giggles (Mike Judge), whom Carmen and Juni helped to rescue them from the first film. Juni gets fired from the OSS after fighting with Gary over a smaller version of the Transmooker, a device that can shut off all of the electronic devices even though it was Gary who started the fight. Juni loses his spot for the best Spy Kid of The Year award, while Donnagon plans to steal the Transmooker to take over the world. On their second mission, Carmen and Juni follow the trail to the mysterious island of Leeke Leeke which is home to Romero (Steve Buscemi), an eccentric scientist who attempted to create genetically miniaturized animals, but instead wounded up with his island inhabited by mutant monsters. Eventually, Donnagon is fired and Gary is suspended, and the Transmooker is destroyed. Juni is offered his job back, but in order to take a break from the OSS, he retires to begin his own private eye agency.

Spy Kids 3D: Game Over (2003)

After retiring from the OSS, Juni is thrust back into service when an evil mastermind named Sebastian "The Toymaker" (Sylvester Stallone) creates a fictional video game called Game Over, which hypnotizes its users. Carmen was sent on a mission to disable the game, but disappeared on Level 4. With the help of his maternal grandfather, Valentin Avellan (Ricardo Montalban), who uses a wheelchair, Juni is sent after Carmen and helps her to disable the game in order to save the world. It is revealed that Sebastian was the one who disabled Valentin in the first place. Instead of avenging his ex-partner, Valentin forgives Sebastian who is redeemed.

Spy Kids: All the Time in the World (2011)

The OSS has become the world's top spy agency, while the Spy Kids department has become defunct. Marissa (Jessica Alba), a retired spy, is thrown back into the action along with her two stepchildren, Rebecca and Cecil (Rowan Blanchard and Mason Cook), when a maniacal Timekeeper (Jeremy Piven) attempts to take over the world. In order to save the world, Rebecca and Cecil must team up with Marissa.

Spy Kids: Armageddon (2023)

The fifth installment titled Spy Kids: Armageddon, served as a relaunch of the franchise, involves a plot that centers on a multicultural family. Robert Rodriguez is again writer/director, while the project is a joint-venture production between Skydance Media and Spyglass Media Group.^[9][10] The film was released on Netflix,^[11] making it the second Spy Kids project produced for the platform.^[7] Gina Rodriguez, Zachary Levi, Everly Carganilla and Connor Esterson were set to star,^[12] along with Billy Magnussen^[13] and D. J. Cotrona.^[14] The plotline for the film: "When the children of the world's greatest secret agents unwittingly help a powerful Game Developer unleash a computer virus that gives him control of all technology, they must become spies themselves to save their parents and the world".^[15] Production of the film wrapped in late August 2022,^[16][17] and was released on Netflix on September 22, 2023.^[18]

Though the movie does not include other characters from the franchise, Rodriguez confirmed that it takes place in the same continuity as the previous installments.^[19]

Future

In September 2023, Rodriguez confirmed that global streamer Netflix intends to develop additional Spy Kids movies,^[19] with the filmmaker expressing hope to begin production on a sequel the following year.^[20] Rodriguez stated that Armageddon incorporated a new family because so much time had passed since All the Time in the World, and so he wanted to incorporate a new set of characters before returning to what came before; confirming that he intends to bring back "legacy characters" from the previous installments in future movies.^[19]

Television

Spy Kids: Mission Critical (2018)

An animated TV series based on the films, Spy Kids: Mission Critical, was released on Netflix in 2018.^[21] The first and second seasons both consist of 10 episodes^[22] and is produced by Canada-based Mainframe Studios.^[23] Robert Rodriguez was one of the executive producers on the show.

Main cast and characters

Additional crew and production details

Reception

Box office performance

Critical and public response

The first and second film received positive reviews, the third and fifth film received mixed reviews, and the fourth film received negative reviews.

Home media

• September 18, 2001 (Spy Kids) on VHS and DVD by Buena Vista Home Entertainment
• February 18, 2003 (Spy Kids 2: The Island of Lost Dreams) on VHS and DVD by Buena Vista Home Entertainment
• February 24, 2004 (Spy Kids 3D: Game Over) on VHS and DVD by Buena Vista Home Entertainment
• August 2, 2011 (Spy Kids, Spy Kids 2: The Island of Lost Dreams, and Spy Kids 3-D: Game Over) on DVD and Blu-ray Disc by Lionsgate (However, all 3 DVDs are still the original Buena Vista Home Entertainment copies.)
• November 15, 2011 (Spy Kids, Spy Kids 2: The Island of Lost Dreams, and Spy Kids 3-D: Game Over Triple Feature) on Blu-ray Disc by Lionsgate
• November 22, 2011 (Spy Kids: All the Time in the World) on DVD and Blu-ray by Anchor Bay Entertainment
• December 4, 2012 (Spy Kids 3-D: Game Over, The Adventures of Sharkboy and Lavagirl in 3-D 3D Double Feature) on Blu-ray 3D Disc by Lionsgate
• September 22, 2020 (Spy Kids, Spy Kids 2: The Island of Lost Dreams, and Spy Kids 3-D: Game Over Triple Feature) on DVD and Blu-ray Disc reissue by Paramount

Books

Novelizations

Novelizations of the films Spy Kids, Spy Kids 2: The Island of Lost Dreams, and Spy Kids 3-D: Game Over were released by Disney-Hyperion. They were adapted by Megan Stine, Kiki Thorpe, and Kitty Richards.

The posters and end of the credits for each film say "Read the Talk/Miramax Books", telling the viewers to read the print retelling.

KD Novelties personalized book

In 2002, KD Novelties made a personalized children's book based on Spy Kids 2: The Island of Lost Dreams.^[39]

Spy Kids Adventures

Between 2003 and 2004, Disney-Hyperion released ten novels of a book series titled Spy Kids Adventures, written by Elizabeth Lenhard.

1. One Agent Too Many
2. A New Kind of Super Spy
3. Mucho Madness
4. OSS Wilderness
5. Mall of the Universe
6. Spy TV
7. Superstar Spies
8. Freeze-Frame
9. Spring Fever
10. Off Sides^[40][41]

Comics

Syndicated Disney magazine comics (2001-2004)

From 2001 to 2004, children's anthology magazines Disney Adventures and BBC Magazines' Disney's Big Time and Disney's Comic published over a dozen syndicated short comics that accompanied the first three films as well as additional stories for Disney's Comic and Disney's Big Time.^[42] They were written by Steve Behling and/or Michael Stewart, penciled and inked by Christine Norrie, colored by John Green (with the exception of the April 2002 issue's comic The Big Drop, which was colored by Atomic Paintbrush, and the Disney Adventures Comic Zone first issue's comic Tomorrow Trouble, which was colored by Hi-Fi Color Design), and lettered by Michael Stewart.

Spy Kids

• Pop! Goes the World! (September 2001, Disney Adventures; November 2001, Disney Adventures Australia)
• Deep Trouble! (October 2001, Disney Adventures; December 2001, Disney Adventures Australia; July 2002, Disney's Comic)^[43]
• Caught by the Web! (November 2001, Disney Adventures; January 2002, Disney Adventures Australia; September 2002, Disney's Comic)^[44]
• F.A.N.G.s a Lot! (March 2002, Disney Adventures; June 2002, Disney Adventures Australia; August 2002, Disney's Comic)^[45]
• The Big Drop! (April 2002, Disney Adventures; July 2002, Disney Adventures Australia)
• The Invisible Enemy! (May 2002, Disney Adventures; August 2002, Disney Adventures Australia)^[46]
• Fright Flight! (June 2002, Disney Adventures; September 2002, Disney Adventures Australia)^[47]
• The Menace of Micro-Man! (Summer 2002, Disney Adventures; January 2003, Disney Adventures Australia)^[48]
• The Mysterious Many-Man! (Q3 2002, Disney Adventures Super Comic Special; September 2003, Disney Adventures Australia)^[49]
• Tomorrow Trouble! (Summer 2004, Disney Adventures Comic Zone)

Spy Kids 2

• Rodeo Ruckus! (September 2002, Disney Adventures; March 2003, Disney Adventures Australia, Disney's Comic)^[50]
• Face to Face with F.A.N.G.! (April 2003, Disney Adventures, Disney's Comic; December 2003, Disney Adventures Comic Book - All The Coolest Comics Australia)^[51]
• Nightmare at 30,000 Feet! (May 2003, Disney's Comic)^[52]
• Cereal-ised! (June 2003, Disney's Comic)^[53]

Spy Kids 3

• Top Gear! (July 2003, Disney's Comic; February 2004, Disney Adventures Australia)^[54]
• That's Snow Spy! (August 2003, Disney's Comic; Winter 2004, Disney Adventures Comic Zone)^[55]
• Metal Menace! (September 2003, Disney's Comic; April 2004, Disney Adventures)^[56]

McDonald's comics (2003)

In July 2003, McDonald's published a six-issue limited series based on Spy Kids 3-D: Game Over. It was distributed in McDonald's Happy Meals to promote the film, bundled with Happy Meal toys as well as anaglyph 3D glasses made for the comics.

1. The Chip that Shook Up the World!
2. The Diabolical Doctor Kent!
3. The Outbreak of Silence!
4. The Taking of the Presidency
5. The Demise of Doctor Kent
6. The Computer Planet^[57]

Video games

• Spy Kids Challenger (2002, Game Boy Advance)
• Spy Kids: Mega Mission Zone (2002, Microsoft Windows and Mac)
• Spy Kids 3-D: Game Over (2003, Microsoft Windows and Mac)
• Spy Kids 3-D: Game Over (2003, Game Boy Advance)
• Spy Kids: Learning Adventures series
  • The Underground Affair (2004, Microsoft Windows and Mac)
  • The Man in the Moon (2004, Microsoft Windows and Mac)
  • The Candy Conspiracy (2004, Microsoft Windows and Mac)
  • The Nightmare Machine (2004, Microsoft Windows and Mac)
• Spy Kids: All the Time in the World (2011, Nintendo DS)

Related film series

Isador "Machete" Cortez, who appeared in all four Spy Kids film series as a supporting character, additionally had a series of two stand-alone films: Machete and Machete Kills, also written and directed by Robert Rodriguez. However, the Machete films share little in common with the Spy Kids films thematically and are not considered direct spin-offs, the first film instead being an adult-oriented action exploitation film, with the second film introducing sci-fi elements; both films additionally share several cast members and characters with the Spy Kids films.^[58] The idea for a Machete film came from a fake trailer promoting the Grindhouse double-feature by Rodriguez and Quentin Tarantino.^[59] Trejo and Rodriguez have made two conflicting statements regarding its canonicity to the Spy Kids films; Trejo claimed that the films depict "what Uncle Machete does when he's not taking care of the kids",^[59] while Rodriguez said in a Reddit AMA that they are alternate universes.^[60] Regardless, Rodriguez claimed that he was prompted by an incident on the set of the first Machete film to start envisioning a fourth film in the main Spy Kids film series, casting Jessica Alba as Machete's sister Marissa, a different character to the one she portrayed in Machete, with Trejo additionally reprising his role alongside her.^{[61][62][63][64]}

Notes

1. ^ The Special Edition / Blu-ray version is 1 hour 31 minutes

References

1. ^ AFP (October 23, 2013). "'Machete' director Robert Rodriguez doesn't see Oscar future". /gulfnews.com. Retrieved October 4, 2014.
2. ^ "Interview with Mexican director Robert Rodriguez | Film". The Guardian. 2001-04-11. Retrieved 2018-09-16.
3. ^ CIA: Look Back … Gen. William J. Donovan Heads Office of Strategic Services
4. ^ Fred Topel (August 2002). "Spy Kids 2: The Island of Lost Dreams". Cinefantastique. Vol. 34, no. 5. pp. 46–49. Rodriguez shot SPY KIDS 2 entirely with High Definition digital cameras
5. ^ "Spy Kids 3-D: Game Over". CINEMABLEND. 2016-05-27. Retrieved 2021-01-29.
6. ^ Ebert, Roger (June 9, 2005). "The Adventures of Shark Boy and Lava Girl in 3-D movie review (2005)". RogerEbert.com. Retrieved 2021-01-29.
7. ^ "Production Weekly – Issue 1300 – Thursday, May 26, 2022 / 17 Listings – 38 Pages". Production Weekly. May 25, 2022. Archived June 7, 2022 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved June 9, 2022.
8. ^ "Spy Kids Filming Locations ATXgossip.com"
9. ^ Kroll, Justin (January 26, 2021). "Skydance Media To Reimagine The 'Spy Kids' Franchise With Spyglass Media And Series Creator Robert Rodriguez". Deadline. Retrieved January 29, 2021.
10. ^ Rubin, Rebecca (January 26, 2021). "Robert Rodriguez Rebooting 'Spy Kids' Franchise at Skydance Media". Variety. Retrieved March 21, 2022.
11. ^ Grobar, Matt (March 30, 2022). "'Spy Kids' Franchise Reimagining In Works At Netflix; Robert Rodriguez Returning To Mount Next Film For Skydance, Spyglass". Deadline. Retrieved March 30, 2022.
12. ^ Kroll, Justin (June 23, 2022). "'Spy Kids': Gina Rodriguez, Zachary Levi, Everly Carganilla And Connor Esterson Starring In Reboot For Netflix, Skydance And Spyglass". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved June 23, 2022.
13. ^ Cordero, Rosy (July 23, 2022). "'Spy Kids': Billy Magnussen Joins Netflix Reboot". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved July 24, 2022.
14. ^ Kroll, Justin (August 8, 2022). "'Spy Kids': DJ Cotrona Joins Next Installment For Netflix, Skydance And Spyglass". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved September 12, 2022.
15. ^ Keith, Chantel (June 25, 2022). "'Spy Kids': Netflix Introduces Cast and Plot for Upcoming Reboot". Spring Tribune
16. ^ Rodriguez, Robert (August 31, 2022). "Just wrapped a new SPYkids for @Netflix, working with my son Racer Max! First foto is from the set of SPYkids 2 in 2002. Not much has changed, only now he's co-writer, co-producer, and a little heavier.". Twitter. Archived August 31, 2022 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 2022-09-15.
17. ^ "Robert Rodriguez on Instagram: "Just wrapped a new SPYkids for @Netflix, working with my son Racer Max! First foto is from the set of SPYkids 2 in 2002. Not much has changed, only now he's co-writer, co-producer, and a little heavier."". Instagram. Retrieved 2022-09-15.
18. ^ "Robert Rodriguez Hints at 'Spy Kids: Armageddon's Release Window". Collider. 2023-05-09. Retrieved 2023-06-30.
19. ^ Polowy, Kevin (September 22, 2023). "Can 'Spy Kids' be the next James Bond? Robert Rodriguez has a plan.". Yahoo! Entertainment. Retrieved September 24, 2023.
20. ^ Peralta, Diego (September 21, 2023). "Robert Rodriguez Gives an Update on 'We Can Be Heroes' Sequel". Collider. Retrieved September 24, 2023.
21. ^ Brian Steinberg (June 16, 2016). "Netflix Readies Animated 'Spy Kids', 'Llama Llama' Series (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. Retrieved July 1, 2016.
22. ^ "And just like that we are underway on mixing our second season episodes of Spy Kids: Mission Critical #SpyKidsMC18 First up - ep. 3!". November 17, 2017. Retrieved November 21, 2017.
23. ^ Pinto, Jordan (March 24, 2017). "Wow! Unlimited inks deal with Weinstein Co, Netflix". Playback. Brunico Communications. Retrieved April 17, 2017.
24. ^ "Spy Kids (2001)". Box Office Mojo. Retrieved June 15, 2022.
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27. ^ "Spy Kids 4: All the Time in the World (2011)". Box Office Mojo. Retrieved June 15, 2022.
28. ^ "CinemaScore". CinemaScore. Archived April 13, 2022 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved April 15, 2022.
29. ^ Spy Kids Rotten Tomatoes
30. ^ "Spy Kids", retrieved 2021-01-29
31. ^ Spy Kids 2: The Island of Lost Dreams Rotten Tomatoes
32. ^ "Spy Kids 2: Island of Lost Dreams", retrieved 2021-01-29
33. ^ Spy Kids 3-D - Game Over Rotten Tomatoes
34. ^ "Spy Kids 3-D: Game Over", retrieved 2021-01-29
35. ^ Spy Kids: All the Time in the World in 4D Rotten Tomatoes
36. ^ "Spy Kids: All the Time in the World", retrieved 2021-01-29
37. ^ Spy Kids: Armageddon Rotten Tomatoes
38. ^ "Spy Kids: Armageddon", retrieved 2023-09-25
39. ^ "Operate Like A Secret Agent In This Personalized Spy Kids Book!". KD Novelties. Retrieved 2023-09-27.
40. ^ ThriftBooks. "Spy Kids Adventures Book Series". ThriftBooks. Retrieved 2023-09-27.
41. ^ "Spy Kids Adventures". www.fictiondb.com. Retrieved 2023-09-27.
42. ^ "spookoo / comic books". www.spookoo.com. Archived 2003-12-18 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 2026-03-17.
43. ^ "United Kingdom: Disney's Comic # 4 | I.N.D.U.C.K.S.". inducks.org. Retrieved 2023-09-27.
44. ^ "United Kingdom: Disney's Comic # 6 | I.N.D.U.C.K.S.". inducks.org. Retrieved 2023-09-27.
45. ^ "Spy Kids in "F.A.N.G.S. a Lot!" (Qus/DA12-02B) | I.N.D.U.C.K.S.". inducks.org. Retrieved 2023-09-27.
46. ^ "Spy Kids "The Invisible Enemy!" (Qus/DA12-04C) | I.N.D.U.C.K.S.". inducks.org. Retrieved 2023-09-27.
47. ^ "Spy Kids "Fright Flight!" (Qus/DA12-05C) | I.N.D.U.C.K.S.". inducks.org. Retrieved 2023-09-27.
48. ^ "Spy Kids "The Menace of Micro-Man!" (Qus/DA12-06C) | I.N.D.U.C.K.S.". inducks.org. Retrieved 2023-09-27.
49. ^ "Spy Kids "The Mysterious Many-Man!" (Qus/DASP 2002I) | I.N.D.U.C.K.S.". inducks.org. Retrieved 2023-09-27.
50. ^ "Spy Kids 2 - Rodeo Ruckus! (Qus/DA12-07D) | I.N.D.U.C.K.S.". inducks.org. Retrieved 2023-09-27.
51. ^ "Spy Kids 2: "Face to Face with F.A.N.G.!" (Qus/DA13-03B) | I.N.D.U.C.K.S.". inducks.org. Retrieved 2023-09-27.
52. ^ "Spy Kids 2 in "Nightmare at 30,000 Feet" (Quk/DC 14A) | I.N.D.U.C.K.S.". inducks.org. Retrieved 2023-09-27.
53. ^ "Spy Kids 2 in "Cereal-ised!" (Quk/DC 15F) | I.N.D.U.C.K.S.". inducks.org. Retrieved 2023-09-27.
54. ^ "Spy Kids 3-D: Game Over in "Top Gear!" (Quk/DC 16E) | I.N.D.U.C.K.S.". inducks.org. Retrieved 2023-09-27.
55. ^ "Spy Kids 3-D: Game Over in "That's Snow Spy" (Quk/DC 17A) | I.N.D.U.C.K.S.". inducks.org. Retrieved 2023-09-27.
56. ^ "Spy Kids: "Metal Menace!" (Qus/DA14-03C) | I.N.D.U.C.K.S.". inducks.org. Retrieved 2023-09-27.
57. ^ "Ray Zone 3-D Checklist". www.workprint.com. Retrieved 2023-09-27.
58. ^ Rodriguez, Robert (February 2014). "I am director Robert Rodriguez, here again with El Rey. Let's play.". Reddit. Retrieved August 9, 2018.
59. ^ Westel, Bob (April 1, 2011). "A roundtable chat with actor Danny Trejo, aka "Machete"". Premium Hollywood
60. ^ Rodriguez, Robert (February 2014). "I am director Robert Rodriguez, here again with El Rey. Let's play.". Reddit. Retrieved April 18, 2018.
61. ^ Wilson, Lisa (August 15, 2011). "Busy Alba relates to 'Spy Kids' mom". Toronto Sun. Retrieved August 14, 2011.
62. ^ Thompson, Bob (August 14, 2011). "Spy mom, real mom". ottawacitizen.com. Retrieved August 14, 2011.^{[dead link]}
63. ^ Connelly, Brendon (September 25, 2009). "Dimension Confirm Details of Scream 4, Spy Kids 4, An American Werewolf in London Redux and More". SlashFilm. Archived from the original on October 31, 2010. Retrieved October 28, 2010.
64. ^ Connelly, Brendon (December 21, 2009). "Robert Rodriguez Sequel Log-Jam: More Machete, Sin City 2 and Spy Kids Reboot". SlashFilm. Archived from the original on October 7, 2010. Retrieved October 28, 2010.