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 Spy Kids 2: The Island of Lost Dreams (2002)
Rated: Rated PG for action sequences and rude humor.
Runtime: 88 mins.
Director: Robert Rodriguez
Writer: Robert Rodriguez
Tagline: Real Spies....only smaller.
Cast: Antonio Banderas, Carla Gugino, Alexa Vega, Daryl Sabara....complete cast
Genre: Action/Family/Comedy
Most memorable quote: "Never send an adult to do a kid's job"
by Frank Wilkins
In the original Spy Kids, we were introduced to the characters, and we learned that when parents are in trouble, their kids could slap on the spy gadgets, jump into the submarine and hasten to the rescue saving them from mortal doom. How cool is that? Every child's dream. Now that the character introductions have been made and the groundwork has been laid, let's bring on the gadgets. And boy, did they bring on the gadgets! To the point that the makers decided to replace the movie's heart and soul with some sort of electro-magnetic sensory infusion device.
The original familial clan is back including Dad (Antonio Banderas), Mom (Carla Gugino), Juni (Daryl Sabara) and Carmen (Alexa Vega) and once again directed by Robert Rodriguez. Ricardo Montalban and Holland Taylor join the spy family as the witty grandma and grandpa. This time though, the kids are well-seasoned veterans enrolled in the U.S. Government's Spy Kids branch of its espionage unit and have gotten themselves into a bit of trouble on the Island of Lost Dreams. With the assistance of a nerdy genetic scientist played masterfully by Steve Buscemi they must outwit the villains that come from unexpected origins. Once on the Island of Lost Dreams, everyone discovers that their gadgetry has been rendered useless and they must rely on brainpower and creativity to foil the plans of the villains. Several messages come from this scenario, one of which slaps you in the face when the family joins in an embrace and says something to the effect of "if we work together as a family, we can solve our problems."
As I do with almost all heavily infused special effects films, I paid close attention to the computer generated effects in this one. Although most of Rodriguez's computer-generated spy gadgets seemed to integrate seamlessly into the fray, the same can't be said for the obvious green-screen effects and the stop-motion photography-like effects in the latter half of the movie. One scenario in particular seemed very rudimentary. Carmen and Juni, after stealing a precious medallion necklace, encounter a pack of enraged skeletons. In an apparent attempt to pay hommage to his film making roots, Rodriguez borrows the look and feel of the skeleton battle of The Seventh Voyage of Sinbad and applies it to the island's various genetic mutant creatures. The only problem is that it comes off as low-budget, low-tech special effects.
The original Spy Kids started a wonderful series that allows kids to see their dreams come alive on the screen. But what made the original so special was its heart and sincerity. Rodriguez should not overlook today's available special effects technology but he must also remember that what makes a story special and what makes it endearing to its viewers is the warm-fuzzies and other intangible emotions that come from good storytelling. In Spy Kids 2: The Island of Lost Dreams he seems to have forgotten this.
Frank Wilkins
Screen formats: Widescreen Anamorphic 1.85:1
Subtitles: English; Closed Captioned
Sound: English: Dolby Digital 5.1; Spanish: Dolby Digital 5.1; French: Dolby Digital 5.1
Other Features: Color; interactive menus; scene access; Commentary by director Robert Rodriguez; Ten-Minute Film School: Big movies made cheap; A new kind of stunt kid; Lost scenes with optional director's commentary; "Isle of Dreams" Music Video; School At Big Bend National Park; Essential Gear: The Gadgets of Spy Kids; Behind-the-Scenes Montages
Total Access 24/7: A Day in the Life of Spy Kids; Still Gallery; Art Gallery; Teaser trailer; Transmooker Trouble Set-Top Game; DVD-ROM; Weblinks; Transmooker Trouble game.
Picture Quality
There is a bit of shimmering in places. The picture is also soft around the edges during some of the brighter scenes. No pixilation or artifacts noticed.
Sound Quality:
The 5.1 track will give your sound system a good workout. "Spy Kids 2" is a sound effects intensive film. At times, the bass becomes overbearing, with the sub-woofer scarring the viewer out of their seat. Especially toward the end. Otherwise, there is a nice balance between the ranges. The highs and lows are full. rich and crisp.
Menu:
Outstanding interactive menu, using great animation from the film. Easy to navigate. Very complex.
Extra Features:
There are a ton of extras. How much you enjoy them will depend on your tastes. They would have been more interesting if the film had been better.
The latest installment of Robert Rodriguez's "Ten Minute Film School." is very interesting. Important to point out that he is very interested in helping young students make films.
There are 8 deleted scenes. Nothing special.
The Transmooker Trouble game is just a trivia game based on the film. Get three questions right and you win. Miss four and you destroy the world. When/if you destroy the world, there is no graphic animation of the world blowing up!
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Complete Cast:
| Antonio Banderas......... |
Gregorio Cortez |
| Carla Gugino.......... |
Ingred Cortez |
| Alexa Vega.......... |
Carmen Cortez |
| Daryl Sabara.......... |
Juni Cortez |
| Steve Buscemi.......... |
Romero |
| Mike Judge.......... |
Donnagon |
| Danny Trejo.......... |
Uncle Machete |
| Cheech Marin....... |
Felix Gumm |
| Matthew O' Leary.......... |
Gary Giggles |
| Emily Osment.......... |
Gerti Giggles |
| Ricardo Montalban......... |
Grandpa Cortez |
| Holland Taylor.......... |
Grandma Cortez |
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