Common Sense Media Review
By Nell Minow , based on child development research. How do we rate?
Kids will love it, but adults may find it flat.
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Spy Kids 3-D: Game Over
Parent and Kid Reviews
Based on 6 parent reviews
What's the Story?
In SPY KIDS 3-D: GAME OVER, an evil man called the Toymaker (Sylvester Stallone) has created a computer game called "Game Over," and Carmen Cortez (Alexa Vega) somehow gets lost inside the game. If her brother Juni (Daryl Sabara) cannot shut down the game before it goes on the market, the game will enable the Toymaker to take over the world or worse. In the game, Juni meets up with beta testers and battles Demetra (Courtney Jines) in gladiator-style combat. He develops a crush in both senses of the word as he slams her avatar-robot around in between gazing longingly at the way that fetching lock of hair keeps falling in front of her determined but sparkling eyes.
Is It Any Good?
The special effects may be in 3-D, but the story is flat, and there is very little of the quirky humor of the first two movies. This one is just nonstop loud, hurtling, special effects, most of it is like one long computer game, with one set of pixels fighting another. Kids probably won't mind, though parents have plenty of better options.
The first two Spy Kids movies combined brilliantly imaginative visual effects, thrilling (but not too scary) action, silly fun, and a lot of heart. With this last in the series, writer-director-editor-producer-composer Robert Rodriguez is either so enthralled or so overwhelmed by the 3-D technology that he forsakes the essentials of plot and character. We also miss the characters of the first two. Many of them appear only in brief cameos that are merely distracting. Stallone plays four parts -- all of them badly.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the excitement around the new game release. Kids: How do you find out about new games coming out? What tools do companies use to get you excited about a new product?
How is disability portrayed in Spy Kids 3-D: Game Over?
What are discussions about leadership take place in the movie? Is it important for there always to be a leader? What are some of the traits of a good leader?
Movie Details
- In theaters: July 25, 2003
- On DVD or streaming: February 24, 2004
- Cast: Alexa Vega , Antonio Banderas , Daryl Sabara
- Director: Robert Rodriguez
- Inclusion Information: Latino directors
- Studio: Miramax
- Genre: Family and Kids
- Topics: Adventures , Book Characters
- Run time: 85 minutes
- MPAA rating: PG
- MPAA explanation: action sequences and peril
- Last updated: May 28, 2024
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