Overall Rating: 
1/2
Score: 9.3/10
Grade: A
Family-Friendliness Scale: Level 4 (Great)
Kids ages 6+
The Spy Kids franchise started a decade ago with Carmen & Juni, which translated into two sequels as a franchise empire was made. Then, the double-meaning of "Game Over" finished up the franchise for good as it seemed. But with Robert Rodriguez's most recent films not getting to the heights of his famed O.S.S. agents, he just knew he had to make a comeback.
This movie shifts focus over to Marissa Wilson Cortez (Carmen and Juni's aunt [Jessica Alba]), an O.S.S. agent now in retirement. She's married to a spyhunter named Wilbur (Joel McHale), who doesn't even know about her secret identity, and has two step-children, Rebecca (Rowan Blanchard) and Cecil (Mason Cook) (don't forget the baby). But when a crazy evil mastermind known as the Timekeeper speeds up time to try and get the world to end, Marissa is forced back into the agency. Previously, Marissa had given a necklace to her step-daughter in order to try and get along with her. But in reality, the necklace is really the Chronos Sapphire, the only thing that can stop time from speeding up. So when the house is attacked by the Time Keeper's minions, Rebecca and Cecil are immediately sent into a "panic room", where they are informed of their step-mothers' secret identity and are instantly transported to O.S.S. headquarters, where they meet their cousins and former Spy Kids, Carmen (Alexa Vega) and Juni (Daryl Sabara).
The reboot plot was excellently written and somewhat unpredictable, the scene I guessed was the climax was actually a midway point. The cast is great, and getting to see Alexa and Daryl again all grown up as well as explaining their side of how they became spies was a nostalgic trip for me. Some of the most famous O.S.S. (Operation of Super Spies) gadgets were present, such as the Buddy Pack, Electro-Shock Gumballs, The 3rd Brain, and R.A.L.P.H. all make at least one usage appearance.
Perhaps the biggest positive note of all was the films' pleasantly surprising heart. There's a couple
of strong lessons on valuing time with family and that the past can't be changed. Strong role models in Rebecca andCecil are present (though they get into a fair amount of mischief) and the Mom and Dad are willing to risk themselves to save their children (and the world). Other strong examples include working
together, setting aside differences, bravery, heroism, and family unity.
The music score by Robert Rodriguez and Carl Thiel is very fun. The cast, including Alba, McHale, Blanchard, Cook, Vega, Sabara, Jeremy Piven, and Ricky Gervais (as the robot dog Argonaut) all do a splendid job. The movie also featured notable references to the earlier movies, including the famous quote "she's not cool enough", and we get to see video files of Carmen & Juni's previous missions.
The 4D Aroma-Scope cards are OK. It was fun to get to smell a few fun scents, such as bacon, candy, and ranch dressing (but not the flatulence jokes). The visual effects are great, and the action scenes are excellently put together by most of the original crew.
Negative Notes
Some toilet humor that probably wasn't needed. The crash bam-boom action violence is cartoonish, but may still be too intense for younger kids. No explicit language, though we do hear the memorable "oh shii-takke mushrooms", three misuses of God's name, and four uses of "jeez".
Conclusion
I was a big fan of Spy Kids during their heyday, and after the third movie I was thinking that they could do a television series and a fourth film. Unfortunately, the years went by and my hopes were soon dashed, until at the end of 2009 when finally a reboot film was announced, and that's when I was really excited.
How long has it been? Eight years....yep, that's a long wait, and yet we've waited similar amounts of time for follow-ups to Toy Story, Cats & Dogs, Hoodwinked! and just recently, Winnie The Pooh. Looking at how the critics panned the film, I was concerned that this film would lose some of the earlier films' charm because of a long lapse of time.
But, like several other films from the past year, I shouldn't have been worried. Because Robert Rodriguez still has what it takes to direct a great family film, one that parents might appreciate for its' heart and kids will love with its' action and characters. In my perspective, this film had a high level of excitement and nostalgia mixed together that made me smile through the whole film.
Summarizing it, Spy Kids: All The Time In The World is an awesome thrill ride with plenty of emotional and heartfelt moments. I probably couldn't have asked for a better way to reboot the franchise. The best movie in the series so far, and I hope they do a fifth one (please?).
