Spy Dog

This movie is insane...I don't know what to say. After I finished, I had to research to check this wasn't some weird meta film project about the state of modern children's movies. Nothing in this movie is explicitly offensive for kids, just a bit of slapstick. The acting is purposely over the top, and the wackiness is off the charts, but this completely contrasts the weirdly gritty, borderline frightening portrayal of the movie villain. With cinematography that more resembles a Guy Richie movie, and with a performance eerily similar to by Heath Ledger's joker, I began to wonder "Is this really for kids?" If not, who is this for? I mean, I enjoyed this movie thoroughly, to the point I began thinking.... am I the fool? Was this cynically marketed to be bad in all of the right ways that would make it perfect for YouTube channels and other media outlets give it exposure and sell it to nihilistic millennials? I can't find enough information to confirm this, but Agent Toby Barks is a direct reference to Agent Cody Banks, a reference no child in 2020 would even recognize (and it's not like its a classic). I'm just saying, while they claim can be made this is for kids, many of the actions and choices made say otherwise. I just find it weird that any kid would want to see insane high resolution, shaky cam face closeups of our villain's waning sanity. This movie is garbage, but seemingly calculated garbage. This is a great 'so bad it's good movie,' but I can't help feeling like I'm being duped.

There are few films that have graced the cinema screen greater than Agent Tony Barks. Tony is a 'dog', but, he is not 'just' a 'dog'. He's a secret agent that saves the world from the likes of Horace the Horrible and a federal agent gone bad. It is a travesty that he was not credited in this film since it has upset his chances of an Academy Award. I do not often enjoy gritty films that are based on true events, but Agent Tim Barks really takes the 'biscuit' (or should I say 'dog biscuit' !) as one of those once-in-a-generation films that will one day be considered a classic.

The one thing that I did not like about this film was the humour, as well as the shocking graphic violence 'towards' the latter half of the movie. In addition, everyone in the film calls the old batty lady 'aunty'. This confused me as I am not entirely sure who's aunt she is, hopefully this is one of the many mysteries that visionary director Dan Hunter will explain in 'the' much-anticipated sequel, "Agent Tony Barks 2". I did not like the bit where the dog had an EMP tennis ball in his mouth. It helped with stopping the bad guys but i don't think it's fair to have animals microwave their own heads for a starring role in a movie, especially Agent Travis Barks, not okay Dan Hunter!

The cinematography of this film is epic, with an action adventure genre carefully paced with a fishing trip spoiler alert!

Otherwise, Agent Tom Barks is one of the greatest films that has ever been written, directed, filmed, and released and then on blu-ray and even on DVD. Unfortunately due to the pandemic, I had to rent this movie from Blockbuster, but afterwards I will certainly be heading to the cinema to rewatch Agent Theodore Barks.

10/10. Thanks, Tony. woof !

After seen the trailer it was a good film and i would see it with my kids..i love talking animals and all these gadgets...

Im just trying to figure out if this is supposed to be a spin off on agent cody banks or not.

So this is what they decide to do to end the "Cody Banks" trilogy... they change the lead to a dog and call him "Toby Barks"?... why would anybody put their effort into making a movie like this? I just don't get it.