TL;DR – While it does not quite hit the heights of the original, it was still a fun time.

Post-Credit Scene – There is no post-credit scene.

Disclosure – I paid for the Netflix service that viewed this film.

Spy Kids: Armageddon Review –

All the way back in 2001, there was this oddly delightful film full of delight and odd clay hand monster abominations. Spy Kids was this strange series that was always on the cutting edge. I think I remember a smell scratch and sniff one time, and 3D before 3D, 3D’d. But it is also one of those series you don’t feel need a reboot. With that in mind, can they bring this franchise into the 21^st century, or will it feel like a relic of a time past?

So to set the scene, the Torrez-Tango’s are a perfectly normal family bar for some overly dramatic tech lockdowns. Tony Torrez-Tango (Connor Esterson) likes to play the scoundrel using his tricks and cheats, while Patty Torrez-Tango (Everly Carganilla) likes to play fair with integrity. But little do they know that their parents, Nora (Gina Rodriguez) and Terrence (Zachary Levi), are spies. But when some malicious code is hidden in the video game, Hyskor steals the secret Armageddon Code. Well, it just might be the kids that come to the rescue.    

The first thing to say is that if you have watched the original Spy Kids before, you will already know the broad strokes of where the film is going. The narrative, at least at the start, mainly follows the original story but is updated into the world of video games rather than a kid’s TV show. There are some missing characters and changes to the narrative to mix things up, but it mostly stays true until recontextualising in the third act. I didn’t mind the fresh paint on something familiar, but your mileage may vary.

When it comes to acting, it is pretty par for the course. The titular kids, Everly Carganilla & Connor Esterson, must carry a large chunk of the film on their own, and they work well in that space. I feel a bit bad for Billy Magnussen being constantly typecast as the somewhat smarmy lousy guy, but like he is so good at it. Also, look, no one is saying that Antonio Banderas is not a tough act to follow, but Gina Rodriguez & Zachary Levi do step up to the plate, and it helps that they nail the film’s vibe. There is a more comedic tone to much of the action that mostly works, but you can see the seams in places.

The visuals might be where you come to a deal breaker or not. They are a very particular style reminiscent of the original series and will feel dated or nostalgic, depending on your perspective. On the whole, I liked the update to video games that feels more in keeping with the times, though I could never pin down what the genre of Hyskor was. Maybe a temple runner crossed with a looter shooter? This is a film full of small touches like the realistic trying to sneak past the parents by not stepping on the creaky floor (something we have all done before). But then also swinging for some big ideas that I don’t think they quite land, but it is better to swing and miss than not try.

In the end, do we recommend Spy Kids: Armageddon? Well, it is not a perfect film at all, and it is a very particular style that will be very subjective. However, I found myself having a lot of fun, and we shall protect Bronson at all costs. If you liked Spy Kids: Armageddon, we would recommend to you We Can Be Heroes.    

By Brian MacNamara: You can follow Brian on Twitter Here, when he’s not chatting about Movies and TV, he’ll be talking about International Relations, or the Solar System.

Have you watched Spy Kids: Armageddon?, let us know what you thought in the comments below, feel free to share this review on any of the social medias and you can follow us Here. Check out all our past reviews and articles Here, and have a happy day. 

Credits – All images were created by the cast, crew, and production companies of Spy Kids: Armageddon
Directed by – Robert Rodriguez
Screenplay by – Robert Rodriguez & Racer Max
Based on – Spy Kids by Robert Rodriguez
Music by – Rebel Rodriguez & John Debney
Cinematography by – Robert Rodriguez
Edited by – Robert Rodriguez
Production/Distribution Companies – Skydance, Spyglass Media Group, Double R Productions & Netflix
Starring – Everly Carganilla, Connor Esterson, Gina Rodriguez, Zachary Levi, Billy Magnussen & D. J. Cotrona with Joe Schilling, Solar Dena Bennett, Nicholas Ortiz & Neal Kodinsky   
Rating – Australia: PG;