Mini Espías 4: Los Ladrones Del Tiempo

The real purpose of a movie is to entertain (escapism) - to distance you from your problems for a short period of time. If you will look at this movie from the perspective of a person viewing movies for entertainment purposes, then this movie is good (not very good since there are a lot of better escapist movies out there). If you look at it from the perspective of a movie critic, then this is a horrible movie, filled with clichés and poop jokes.

The first film of this franchise may have had some cliché plot points, but it didn't rely on poop and fart jokes to move the story or try to make the viewer laugh.

This movie has the usual 'stepdaughter-hates-stepmom' and the 'geeky brother' story lines along with the happily ever after ending. It seems the movie thinks that watching these story lines is entertaining to kids, when in fact, it's not (speaking from my perspective as a 13 year old kid). To be frank, it's quite annoying.

However, this movie doesn't lack on the entertainment value. CGI all-around, gadgets everywhere, this movie has tons of cool stuff to keep the viewer at the edge of their seat. There are jokes that if you watch first may seem funny, but in the end will make you think "is that joke really funny, or is it offensive".

Bottomline is, this movie can be good or bad, depending on your perspective. To me, it's escapism at its finest.

Anyone who hates this movie as much as some of the previous reviewers do, has obviously forgotten what it's like to be a kid.

The latest addition to the Spy Kids collection has at its core the values that all the previous movies had as well - it's all about kids becoming more mature, and about pulling together as a family. Sure, I could do without quite as many fart gags, but I never liked those when I was a kid, either. Featuring Jessica Alba as Marissa Cortez Wilson, and Alexa Vega and Daryl Sabara returning once again as a grown up Carmen and Juni Cortez - the original Spy Kids - this movie has some great action sequences and special effects, and it all adds up to a great experience for kids of all ages - even kids who are all grown up.

I loved all three previous Spy Kids films, and even primed myself by watching them again this past week. I took my 15 year old daughter to see this one for her birthday today, and she absolutely loved it, as did I. She hasn't seen all three of the other ones, so she didn't recognise any of the cool gadgets at the OSS' Spy Kids Division, but that didn't keep her from having a really good time. I hadn't watched a movie in 3D in probably 30 years - back when you had to wear those goofy green and red cardboard glasses, and if you didn't wear the glasses you couldn't make any sense of the picture - so watching this in the relatively new RealD 3D format was a real treat.

Score: One point off for the modernized version of the failed "SmelloVision." My daughter and I both decided to abandon the "Aroma Scope" cards after the first three scents really didn't smell like much of anything. But a bonus point at the same time because unlike SmelloVision, which blasted the smells right in your face, now you have the option of not using the scratch-and-sniff cards if you don't want to. So one point down, and one point up. But one point off for having just too many jokes and gags based on bodily functions. The movie would have been just fine without them. I give it an 9 out of 10.

Yes, Robert hasn't lost his touch. When a man has that much talent and imagination, you wonder how long he can keep it up. He is a genius, and I don't use that word lightly. He has invented a new kind of movie here, with the spy kids series. A movie that empowers children instead of what Hollywood has always done with children's movies. The spy kids movies are a refreshing change and I'm glad to see it continuing. The first three were ground breaking and very special. I was so glad to see that this one lives up to that. Although not as good as the first two, which were superb, I rate it about the same as the third one. It may be hard for some to embrace the new cast, which happens every time a new James Bond is cast. I think everyone is just as likable as the originals. Reviews that cut down the acting, plot or whatever don't understand what Rodriguez has done. This movie, as with the other three, is for children and people who love children. If you don't consider yourself in one of those categories then you won't get it.

I'm so glad I loved this movie. It's not normal that so many people find it so bad. So much resentment, such poor capacity of wonder... I hope you people do find the time to spend with your loved ones. Loved the message, loved the way it all flowed. I had a great time. A great experience to share with wife and kid. The acting is actually nice. The special fx are just enough. Not eccentric, not about visual wonder, but rather just perfectly adapted to convey purpose and meaning. The scenery is excellent. The script consistent. Predictable? So what? Is there anything more predictable than death? And that doesn't stop us from living. Nor does that stop us from enjoying life. It's not an excuse. I love this movie.

Like Jaws 4 and Superman IV: The Quest For Peace. Spy Kids 4 or "Spy Kids: All The Time In The World" is a Franchise killer. Although it was a moderate financial success against its $27 million budget. It is such a poor movie, it ended any interest in any future movies.

Mason Cook (in his first movie) and Rowan Blanchard (in her 2nd) are not as annoying as most child actors and are certainly cute enough, but they lack the chemistry that Alexa Vega and Daryl Sabra had in the first three movies.

So Jessica Alba is pretty much left to carry the movie on her own. She tries hard but the movie is missing some of the charm and magic that made the first movies so likable. It also misses the talents of Antonio Banderas and Carla Gugino.

I give it 4/10 1 for Alba, 1 for Vega. 1 for Sarba, and 1 for the kids

I'm sure most kids will like it, mine certainly enjoyed it, just not as much as the original three.