Spy Kids 3D: Game Over Movie Review:

In the 1950s, 3D films burst on the screen and thrilled movie-goers of all ages. The craze was very similar to what we felt when we first witnessed the first CGI in motion pictures. Since the 50s, a lot of films have tried to bring back the craze. Films like Jaws 3-D, Friday the 13th 3-D and most recently "Ghosts of the Abyss" have all benefited from the use of the third dimension to woo audiences. The latter was quite a success and proved that 3-D's makeover was here. Well that was until Spy Kids 3.

Juni Cortez (Daryl Sabara) is an agent without a mission. Juni has left the spy agency OSS in search a better purpose. Juni has become a pint-sized private eye. Juni is quite content with his new role even if has brought him away from his sister, Carmen (Alexa Vega). It is that subject that brings Juni back to the OSS.

It seems that a new virtual reality sensation called GAME OVER is poised to takeover the imaginations of children across the country. The game isn't as innocent as it seems and Juni's sister Carmen has been lost in the game. It is now up to Juni to swing in and save his sister from the game's sinister creator The Toymaker (Sylvester Stallone).

Spy Kids 3 has your typical sequel plot. It isn't as clever as the previous entries in the series even if it does have a lot of cameos from previous Spy Kid characters.

The 3-D effects used in this incarnation are extremely dated. It is so very hard to see the colors and visual effects clearly when watching this film with cardboard 3-D glasses. I had a hard time remembering this film was in color.

The costumes inside the virtual reality reminded me of a hybrid between the costumes in "Tron" and "Rollerball". The promo items and photos from the film show unbelievable backgrounds and intense effects but the actual payoff is pale in comparison. I hope that when the DVD arrives that the 3-D is abandoned and the impressive images are used.

"Ghosts of Abyss" used a very impressive plastic pair of 3-D goggles that made the film overly impressive as both a documentary as well as an I-MAX experience. Why didn't they use any of that with this film? The rudimentary plot would have been missed if the 3-D effects were first rate.

I really wanted a smart, funny and over-the-top movie to finish off the Spy Kids trilogy. Well I got the latter. It was a quirky delightful little trilogy.

(1.5 of 5)

So says the Soothsayer.

Dean Kish

The Cortez kids are back for their third mission and this time they are taking us into the third dimension.

Spy Kids 3D: Game Over is the final part of writer/director Robert Rodriquez’s trilogy of fun miniature espionage movies. Again the adventure, gadgets and characters are extremely over the top but this time he has thrown 3D in the mix. The only problem is that he has used the old-fashioned red and blue lens version and not the polarised method used by Theme Park and Imax presentations. While the 3D does work well in parts, especially the numbers and particle effects, the colours and grandeur of the computer game environments are lost in the red and blue haze needed for the 3D effect.

What we do have is another great family adventure with the Cortez family. Juni takes centre stage and actor Daryl Sabara takes this step with ease. He reluctantly takes the lead in the mission, realising his true leadership qualities and that he can do this on his own, not having to rely on Carmen all the time. He is supported by the always exceptional Ricardo Montalban, as his Grandpa who finds a new lease of life within the game. Alexa Vega, Antonio Banderas and Carla Gugino as the rest of the Cortez clan are reduced to extended cameos in this adventure but have a vital part to play in the finale.

The movie is filled with returning characters and star cameos. All your favourites are back like Fegan Floop (Cumming), Alexander Minion (Shalhoub), Romero (Buscemi) and every other character you can think of, including a few new ones for good measure. Sylvester Stallone’s Toymaker is suitably over the top and probably his best performance in years. He looks like he is having fun with the multi-personality role and is a villain you can boo and hiss at.

The Spy Kids movies are great family films and the third adventure is more of the same. The story is slight, the set pieces are outrageously fun and the characters are extremely likeable and very well defined. Throw in the added element of 3D and it makes great entertainment for kids and adults alike. Glasses On!

Star Rating = * * *

Jamie Kelwick

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