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BEST
KIND
Subject: Spy_Kids
Date: Sat, 19 Jan 2002
From: Sergio
The
best kind of kid?s movie, in my opinion, is the one the actually
makes kids gather empty cardboard boxes, colored paper, glue and
other things, to build their own submarines, helicopters and jets
- build their own toys, create, draw "Flooglies" and all those exciting
things you can do with your imagination.
That?s
one of the best things I see in SPY KIDS.
HOLLYWOOD
NEEDS TO INTERPRET THE SIGNS!
Subject: Spy Kids and The
Mummy Returns
Date: Sun, 10 Jun 2001
From: "Steve Forsyth"
Between
this film and The
Mummy Returns,
we have seen that Hollywood can produce films with pro-family messages
when they try hard enough. What I think is really cool is how well
Spy Kids has been received. With no language or sexual innuendo
(an increasingly disturbing trend in many of todays "family friendly"
films), this film still managed to turn a coimmanding profit - it's
still playing in the min theaters in my town after several months!
Why
doesn't Hollywood realize that there is a HUGE market for well-made
films that are also family friendly? If you look at the current
list of TOP TEN money making films, you'll find few if any R-rated
films. You find the likes of Home Alone, Star Wars trilogy, Jurassic
Park - I suppose the most "offensive" film on the list I can think
of off the top of my head is Titanic. These are mostly clean and
family friendly films. So why does Hollywood keep churning out other
films filled with such garbage? I'm always thrilled when a quality
film like Spy Kids does so well - it just reinforces the point that
families DO see movies if they are put out for them to see. I hope
there will be more like this in the future!
ENJOYABLE
WITH MY KIDS
Date: Sun, 22 Apr 2001
From: Joe
This
is probably the most enjoyable movie I've taken my kids to see in
a long time. Lots of exciting gadgetry and action to keep us entertained,
but nothing too violent. But it also had a very pro-family message
and showed kids who haven't quite fit in finding a way to adjust.
And siblings actually come to like each other by the end!
I'm glad to see how well this movie is doing at the box office.
There are almost no PG movies these days. It's become mostly PG-13
(and R) movies aimed at teens. It's nice to have a family film I
can take my 7 and 10 yr old boys to.
CROSS
BETWEEN WIILY WONKA AND JAMES BOND
Subject: Fun Family Entertaninment
Date: Sat, 21 Apr 2001
From: "Mike Furches"
The last reviewer compared this film to PeeWees Playhouse and James
Bond. I actually made a similar comparison after seeing the film
but I said I thought it was a cross between James Bond and an older
imaginative film Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory. While this
was my response after the fact, it was not my attitude before seeing
the film.
I
have to say that the producers of the film did an excellent job
in the original marketing of the film. It certainly grabbed the
attention of my son who is 11 and my wife who noticed that Antonio
Banderas was one of the stars. Personally, I had no desire to see
the movie but after being bugged and bugged by my son I decided
to go ahead and go. It wasn't long after the opening credits that
I did something I normally never do in a movie. I almost shouted
to my wife as the opening credits rolled, "This is a Robert Rodriguez
film, do you know who he is?" I have been a fan of Robert Rodriguez
for some time and had no idea that he had written, produced, edited
and directed this film. If I had, I would have been willing to see
it during the first week of release as opposed to the second.
Robert
Rodriguez, is, without exception, one of the best young talents
in the "Hollywood" market. He has a technique of using quick edits
and lots of action in his stories that keeps the viewer drawn into
the film. His films have become cult classics and for a good reason.
Most of his past films have been more of the macho type which is
great for catching the attention of the macho types but not much
for the family. Most of his previous films are filled with very
interesting story lines, yet at the same time not for the kiddies,
definitely the opposite of the direction of this film. With this
said, Spy Kids was actually a rather enjoyable film with some nice
underlying messages.
Without
giving away the film, mainly because I don't like spoiler reviews,
I believe that this is a good film with some quality underlying
messages that many Christians could enjoy and benefit from. There
is a positive spin on family relationships as well as opportunity
to discuss forgiveness. Antonio Banderas character Gregorio Cortez,
has a unique relationship with his brother in the film played by
a Robert Rodriguez regular Danny Trejo. There is also an aspect
of forgiveness played out by the children with another important
character portrayed in the film. Spy Kids, in its own sort of way,
also pokes fun at the marketing ploys of many television shows and
movies targeted towards children. It will be interesting to see
if there are toys released from this film for sales to children.
There
are a number of additional interesting characters played by popular
actors and fans of the Robert Rodriguez genre such as Cheech Marin,
George Clooney and others. The film also has Terry Hatcher, Lois
Lane from the television Superman series, who has a nice role which
she plays to almost perfection. While there are lessons in this
film that are learned from the children and parents it is nice to
see that each prospective party is willing and capable of learning
from each other.
Time
for an editorial comment. I often find it interesting at the criticism
that we as Christians sometimes place on movies and I'm sure that
this is one that may draw some criticism, after all it is not "blatantly
Christian", whatever that is. This is a film however, that Christians
will be able to go see with other non Christian families and not
be offended. It is nice that as families we can approach the concept
of forgiveness and change through the benefit of a movie. This is
especially true in that for many families this may be the only method
they are willing to approach these subjects. Spy Kids will also
provide wonderful opportunities to talk about Christian concepts
such as the forgiveness that we have received through Christ, despite
the bad things we have done in our lives. It is a film that some
as Christians, if used properly, can share these messages in a fresh
and unique way from drawing comparisons to some of the characters
and situations in the film. They will also be able to address the
need for parents being with children and the influence we as parents
can have on our children. Does this water down the Gospel? I don't
think so as long as we make sure to draw the distinction between
the fantasy characters of the film and the real life experiences
of Christ. So, don't just see it yourself with your own family.
Go with non Christian friends and use the opportunity to share the
Gospel in an interesting and unique way.
On
a scale of 1 - 10 on this one I had fun, lets go with a 7
Mike
Furches mike@furches.org
FOUND
IT EXCITING
Date: Thu, 19 Apr 2001
From: Jonathan Fletcher
Kind
of a cross between James Bond and (dare I say it) PeeWee's Playhouse.
I liked the plucky kids jumping in to take responsibility for their
parents rescue--a tribute to the nuclear family. I liked the Bond-ish
gadgets and the by-their-wits problems-solving.
I
thought it bogged down a little in places, but overall it sustained
enough of a pace to keep me from looking at my watch. My daughter
and I both thought it fun and . I was encouraged (a little) about
Hollywood by the sentiment at the end: "It's the family, stupid!"
Go see it. And take someone you love.
-- Jonathan Fletcher |
