Review of Spy Kids 2: The Island of Lost Dreams (2002) by Jerry H — 15 Dec 2012

The original "Spy Kids" was a big hit with audiences worldwide, so, of course the makers would follow it up with a sequel. How does it compare to the original? It's actually better in many ways. The quotient of action and intensity is higher, and some fun new characters, such as tough little sister Gerti (Emily Osment, "Hannah Montana") and the main characters' handicapped-yet-still-strong grandfather (Ricardo Montalban) make plenty of fun. Better yet, there are zero sexual innuendos and only one expression resembling a profanity to be found. The only problem I had with it were two of Carmen's (Alexa Vega) outfits. I have no idea why anyone, even an attractive young lady, would wear a midriff-baring outfit to a government ball, and what she wears during her "performance" at the end shows just as much skin. True, many girls younger than Miss Vega bare even more and think nothing of it, but I still feel that's a bad example for little ones who might watch this. Still, that doesn't ruin the movie as a whole; anyone who watched and enjoyed the first "Spy Kids" should go find this immediately if they have yet to see it.

As for content concerns: I noted one above--the outfits--but there are a few bodily function jokes, though I imagine the average fourth grade boy will just laugh them off. The first "Spy Kids" deserved a "TV-Y7-FV" rating, as I said in my review, and this one does even more so. Older children, teens, and adults will just find it all amusing, but the monsters and such will likely scare very young kids.