Review of The Spy Next Door (2010) by Boris C — 25 Jul 2013

Once again universally acclaimed helmer Brian Levant, who brought upon us modern classics such as "Are We There Yet?" and "Jingle All the Way," does what he does best. And that's to deliver an intricate plot in a fun and jam-packed thrill ride that you'll likely to never forget.

The movie's lead, Jackie Chan, provides the charisma and on screen presence rarely seen these days, and I'm almost certain the academy will take notice. The supporting roles filled in by George Lopez, veteran Billy Ray Cyrus, and Amber Valletta are all wonderfully developed and fleshed out. The child actors on display here also do a fantastic job, and I see nothing but a bright future in front of them. I have never seen such true raw emotions evoked in a film before. Truly unprecedented work here.

I don't intent on overselling this film, since my review is written right after watching it at an exclusive premier in Canada, but this movie is truly a gem. From the very first lines to the last, the movie never lets up and doesn't get clogged up in any flat jokes (thanks to writers James Greer and Jonathan Bernstein who have previously collaborated on "Larry the Cable Guy: Health Inspector" and "Max Keeble's Big Move").

The transitions are smooth, and the pacing is unrelenting. Never before has a family comedy been this effective. The new year has barely begun, and we've already had our first masterpiece of the new decade.