“Spy Kids 3-D: Game Over” (Dimension Films)
Filmmaker Robert Rodriguez created a likeable cast of characters when he introduced us to the first “Spy Kids” film. Antonio Banderas and Carla Gugino were warm and wise parents to two delightful kids, Juni and Carmen (Daryl Sabara and Alexa Vega). He continued the story in a sequel and now there is another one. This one is called “Spy Kids 3-D: Game Over” and let’s hope it is.
In this film Juni is called back to work for the OSS to help find his sister. She is trapped inside a virtual reality game that has been created by the fiendish Toymaker (Sylvester Stallone). Juni goes inside the game (which requires the audience to wear 3-D glasses) and does battle to rescue Carmen and capture the Toymaker.
It’s a simple story and it takes much too long to go from start to finish. But length isn’t the only problem this movie has. There are those pesky glasses you are required to wear. They have not improved since they were introduced in the fifties and still are more trouble than they are worth. The little bit of 3-D effect you get is not worth the headache developing behind your eyes.
There is also the problem that the movie focuses almost exclusively on Juni and his grandfather (Ricardo Montalban). We need more Carmen. We need more mama and poppa. We need more something to brighten up this sluggish movie. If you think Banderas and Gugino are going to be in the film for any length of time, think again. Blink and you miss them.
Then there is Stallone. Poor Sylvester, his career has been rocky, and if he hadn’t had “Rocky” he wouldn’t have had much of a career. To say he is bad in this film would be kind. He is horrible. And he plays four roles. He is horrible four times over!
The movie is rated PG for some video violence.
It seems like all the heart and humor have been drained from this franchise. Oh yes, it does have some good thoughts about the value of family but that isn’t enough to make watching the movie bearable. Stick the message on a soft drink can and save us all some trouble.
The “3-D” in the title stands for dull, dull, dull. Its time for these “kids” to pack it in and let the movie going audience rest. Another sequel No, no, game over.
I scored “Spy Kids 3-D: Game Over” a tilted 3 out of 10.
