My Spy - La città eterna

It has its moments, but in the end becomes forgettable. JJ was a field operative for the CIA, but now sits behind the desk as an analyst. He looks after Sophie, although he is not her dad, and she has a chance to sing in the school choir at the Vatican. He winds up as a chaperone. But considering he survived five tours of duty as an Army Ranger, he figures he can survive being a chaperone for a choir tour. Oops! So off they all go to Italy. This is some gentle and family oriented humor, but then the dangerous plot develops, and that is the rest of the movie. There are some real wicked moments of humor, but some of the scenes just go on far too long, plus the scenario isn't realistic. It seems as if the movie bogs down a bit. It is really tailored for a younger movie goer who wants entertainment and not asking questions.

"My Spy: The Eternal City" reunites us with the unlikely duo of hardened CIA agent JJ (Dave Bautista) and whip-smart Sophie (Chloe Coleman), this time amidst the romantic of Rome. While the film delivers laughs and a charming central relationship, it struggles to recapture the magic of the original.

The chemistry between Bautista and Coleman remains a highlight. Their banter is effortless, and their bond feels genuine. Witnessing their dynamic evolve as Sophie enters her teenage years adds a relatable layer to their interactions.

The action sequences are well-choreographed and exciting, taking full advantage of the Italian setting. The plot, however, feels a bit formulaic, relying on familiar spy tropes without offering much innovation.

One of the biggest drawbacks is the tonal shift. The humor, while still present, has a cruder edge compared to the first film. This might alienate younger viewers who enjoyed the family-friendly vibe of the original.

Ultimately, "My Spy: The Eternal City" is a perfectly enjoyable summer flick. It provides laughs, action, and a heartwarming central relationship. However, when compared to its predecessor, it feels like a step down.

The Eternal City (2024) attempts to blend comedy, action, and espionage in the picturesque setting of Rome, but struggles to recapture the charm of its predecessor. While Dave Bautista delivers his usual mix of gruffness and humor, the film's predictable plot and over-reliance on recycled jokes leave much to be desired.

The action sequences are decent, and the Roman backdrop adds some visual appeal, but the story feels formulaic and lacks the emotional core that made the first installment enjoyable. The supporting cast provides some laughs, but the humor often feels forced and uneven.

Overall, My Spy: The Eternal City is a passable but forgettable sequel that fails to elevate the franchise.

This the most absurd but I expected it to be this funny and unserious to what actually is happening, in instance of them being tangled in chain above and try to make a joke about password and 2FA, it didn't land how they expected it to be. And the protagonist asks a lot of money or else the will destroy all of the places in the world which is kind of "will never happen" moment because you just know there isn't any unique to the pot like twist coming up. But it is fun to watch if you think 14 years old is going to save the CiA mistake even though she still can't even drive a car. I gave it 4/10 for the fun moments but it is trash.

Honestly, what I enjoyed the most were the parts of the soundtrack that featured the La Cañada High School Chamber Singers. Their sound was impeccable and the 3 songs fit the (supposed) venue of the Vatican, although the recordings had obviously been made under indoor conditions with a professional sound set up, maybe in a recording studio.

The plot was essentially all the expected tropes, and the dialogue was boring. We watched the typical car crashes. Is that what they spend the budget on? Buying up the vehicles they need for the chase scenes? Oh, well. It kept my occupied while I ate my pizza.