Spy Kids: All the Time in the World (11/22/2011)

Rated PG for mild action and rude humor.

Starring Jessica Alba, Mason Cook, Rowan Blanchard, Joel McHale, Jeremy Piven, Alexa Vega, Daryl Sabara and Danny Trejo

Directed by Robert Rodriguez (All the Spy Kids films and The Adventures of Sharkboy and Lavagirl)

This one is worth your time…especially if you have younger kids.

On the surface, Marissa Cortez Wilson (Jessica Alba) has it all…married to a famous spy hunting television reporter, a new baby and intelligent twin step kids. But in reality, trying to mother Rebecca (Rowan Blanchard) and Cecil (Mason Cook), who clearly don’t want her around, is her toughest challenge yet. Also, her husband, Wilbur (Joel McHale), wouldn’t know a spy if he lived with one which is exactly the case – Marissa’s a retired secret agent. When Marissa’s world is turned upside down by the maniacal Timekeeper (Jeremy Piven) who threatens to take over the planet, she’s called back into action by the head of OSS. With Armageddon quickly approaching, Rebecca and Cecil are thrust into action when they learn their boring stepmom was once a top agent and now the world’s most competitive ten year olds are forced to put their bickering aside and rely on their wits. With a little help from a couple of very familiar Spy Kids, Carmen (Alexa Vega) and Juni Cortez (Daryl Sabara), and some mind-blowing gadgets, they just may be able to save the world and possibly bring their family together while they’re at it.

The fourth Spy Kids movie, All the Time in the World was all hyped up by the 4-D effects. What’s 4-D? Well the movie is in 3D and you get a scratch-n-sniff card that Robert Rodriguez calls Aromascope. Yeah a scratch-n-sniff card! I passed on both and went for good old fashion 2-D.

Just in case you haven’t already guessed, this movie is filled with cartoon-style action and G-rated slapstick. There is also a fun likeable cast in Jessica Alba and Joel McHale, even Jeremy Piven is fun as the bad guy.

With all this going for it, adults will suffer though this one. It’s heavy on the silly/dumb side and full of puns and effects that are definitely more for the kid audience.

I thought the whole Aromascope idea was lame. But the real secret weapon is the message — that family time is precious and we are too prone to wasting it.

No matter what dimension you see it in, the movie is an enjoyable time-waster for kids and there is a pro-family message that parents can appreciate. So I will give it a Rental.

SHOULD KIDS SEE IT
This one should be fine for kids. Some chase scenes may be intense for very young children. Some viewers may find the idea of children and pregnant women fighting men with weapons slightly unnerving/inappropriate.

There is also plenty of violence and fighting, but it’s mild and no blood is ever shown.

Conversation Starter
Three Simple Questions (with Answers You May Be Looking for):

Q: What is the message/theme of this movie?
A: Spy Kids: All the Time in the World repeatedly focuses on the importance of making the most of the time we’ve been given by loving our families well. Marissa quits her job in order to spend more time with her new family. While Wilbur’s demanding job keeps him busy and away from his children. Although he keeps telling them that he will work hard for five years and then retire with enough money, it’s a co-worker that wisely tells him that is a lousy plan. He simply says, “Spend time with them now, because the only thing you’ll find time for later is regret.”

Q: How do you suppose we—as serious Christ-followers—should react to this movie?
A: We should totally agree with the message of this film and do our very best to spend quality time with our children. Take a quick moment and read Psalm 127: 3, “Children are a gift from the Lord; they are a reward from him”

Talk together about how the Bible uses words like “gifts” and “rewards” to describe children.

Ask your child/student if they feel like a “gift” and a “reward”?

What are some things that you can do to make them feel like a “gift” and a “reward”?

Q: How can we move from healthy, Bible-based opinions about this movie to actually living out those opinions?
A: Spend some time creating a wish list of family activities that you would like to do together.

What are some things you can do this week to spend more quality time together as a family?

What are some things you can do this month to spend more quality time together as a family?

What are some things you can do this year to spend more quality time together as a family?

Remember “Spend time with them now, because the only thing you’ll find time for later is regret.”