# God help me, I saw Spy Kids 2 **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [August 8, 2002, 4:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/god-help-me-i-saw-spy-kids-2/122977 "2002-08-08T16:11:19Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![SteverinoAlaReno](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/eb8c5e/32.png) [@SteverinoAlaReno](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SteverinoAlaReno)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2002, 4:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/god-help-me-i-saw-spy-kids-2/122977/1 "2002-08-08T16:11:19Z")
With my wife in school nights and studying most of the day, I am the Designated Parent for taking the kids to the movies. Last night, I took my children to see _Spy Kids 2_. Now, I liked the original movie; it was cute, and not too sappy for a kids’ movie. But the sequel was mind-numbingly stupid. It was too boring to watch, and too noisy to sleep through. I tend to lower my expectations when I watch a kid-flick. I don’t expect a great plot or clever writing. But SK2 couldn’t live up to my lowest possible expectations. A bunch of kids who must have had botox injections, given their lack of facial expressions. A group of adults with even less acting talent. As I watched Antonio Banderas, I could tell he was thinking the very same things I was through the movie: Get me out of here!! I don’t know what’s sadder: the fact that my kids loved the movie, or the fact that they are dying to see some of the films that were advertized before the feature (like _Shaolin Soccer_, a movie that from the trailer looks as entertaining as a train wreck), and I might have to go to those movies, too. ---
**Author:** ![lauramarlane](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/a5b964/32.png) [@lauramarlane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lauramarlane)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2002, 4:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/god-help-me-i-saw-spy-kids-2/122977/2 "2002-08-08T16:52:16Z")
Oh no–I have to go see it with my kids. I hadn’t minded so much because the first one wasn’t so bad, as you said, and, afterall, Antonio Bandaras is in it! But now you’ve got me dreading it. Aren’t there any kids movies that adults can enjoy, too?! So help me god, I’d rather endure a duct tape bikini wax than sit through another Pokemon movie! ---
**Author:** ![Ferrous](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/8e7dd6/32.png) [@Ferrous](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ferrous)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2002, 5:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/god-help-me-i-saw-spy-kids-2/122977/3 "2002-08-08T17:12:27Z")
Hmm. I promised to take my son to see it also. Didn’t the Harryhausen-esque monsters help at all? ---
**Author:** ![SteverinoAlaReno](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/eb8c5e/32.png) [@SteverinoAlaReno](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SteverinoAlaReno)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2002, 5:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/god-help-me-i-saw-spy-kids-2/122977/4 "2002-08-08T17:42:26Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Ferrous \* > \*\*Hmm. I promised to take my son to see it also. Didn’t the Harryhausen-esque monsters help at all? \*\* No…the monsters were more of a distraction than an enhancement, and the battle between two of them was dull. And the kids picking over some treasure and finding the golden artifact that Indiana Jones grabbed in the very beginning of _Raiders of the Lost Ark_ didn’t help much, either. I’ve liked several kids’movies. As I said, I enjoyed the original _Spy Kids_, as well as _The Princess Diaries, Big Fat Liar,_ and even tolerated _Clockstoppers_. But SK2 was awful. ---
**Author:** ![World\_Eater](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/f04885/32.png) [@World\_Eater](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/World_Eater)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2002, 6:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/god-help-me-i-saw-spy-kids-2/122977/5 "2002-08-08T18:22:30Z")
This is why I’ll never have kids. ---
**Author:** ![ivylass](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/9de053/32.png) [@ivylass](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ivylass)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2002, 6:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/god-help-me-i-saw-spy-kids-2/122977/6 "2002-08-08T18:25:47Z")
You can always say no. I am NOT taking my kids to see The Country Bears, no how, no way. (Besides, we have LOTR on DVD so that will be our entertainment this weekend!) ---
**Author:** ![smiling\_bandit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e9a140/32.png) [@smiling\_bandit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/smiling_bandit)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2002, 6:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/god-help-me-i-saw-spy-kids-2/122977/7 "2002-08-08T18:26:51Z")
> [@](#): > > I don’t know what’s sadder: the fact that my kids loved the movie, or the fact that they are dying to see some of the films that were advertized before the feature (like Shaolin Soccer, a movie that from the trailer looks as entertaining as a train wreck), and I might have to go to those movies, too. [Joke]I can’t figure out whether or not that’s a good thing or not 🙂 [/Joke ---
**Author:** ![Ferrous](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/8e7dd6/32.png) [@Ferrous](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ferrous)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2002, 6:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/god-help-me-i-saw-spy-kids-2/122977/8 "2002-08-08T18:38:49Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by ivylass \* > \*\*You can always say no. I am NOT taking my kids to see The Country Bears, no how, no way. \*\* Well sure you can. I told him there was no way I was taking him to see Master of Disguise. But I already said I’d take him to see SK2 because, like **Steverino** , I thought the original was pretty good. Oh well, I’m still going to take him. ---
**Author:** ![Wolfian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/7ea924/32.png) [@Wolfian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wolfian)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2002, 6:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/god-help-me-i-saw-spy-kids-2/122977/9 "2002-08-08T18:42:26Z")
Shaolin Soccer? The hell? Poorly dubbed old Chinese monk/karate dude: Lu Kang, the army has raided our sacred field. They took the sacred Brine ball and threw it out of out bounds. They didn’t even kick it, the infedels. Lu Kang: No, Sensei! I will avenge us. This is my vow. By Brandi Christein [sic] bra strap, we will have vengance. ---
**Author:** ![MrVisible](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/46a35a/32.png) [@MrVisible](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MrVisible)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2002, 7:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/god-help-me-i-saw-spy-kids-2/122977/10 "2002-08-08T19:38:28Z")
I haven’t seen it yet, but I loved the first one, and I’m looking forward to the sequel. For an alternative perspective on it, check out the reviews at [Rotten Tomatoes](http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/SpyKids2IslandofLostDreams-1115366/), where it’s getting a 70% critical approval rating. ---
**Author:** ![Lightnin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lightnin/32/180_2.png) [@Lightnin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lightnin)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2002, 11:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/god-help-me-i-saw-spy-kids-2/122977/11 "2002-08-08T23:04:59Z")
Are you KIDDING? Shaolin Soccer is simply AMAZING. My friend brought the movie over a month ago, and said, “You’ve got to see this.” After we watched it, and I picked my jaw up off the floor, I ordered my own copy. I told everyone at work, and everyone who saw it agreed, and bought copies as well. Seriously, if you get the chance, watch this movie. ---
**Author:** ![SteverinoAlaReno](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/eb8c5e/32.png) [@SteverinoAlaReno](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SteverinoAlaReno)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2002, 11:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/god-help-me-i-saw-spy-kids-2/122977/12 "2002-08-08T23:07:13Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by lauramarlane \* > \*\*Aren’t there any kids movies that adults can enjoy, too?! So help me god, I’d rather endure a duct tape bikini wax than sit through another Pokemon movie! \*\* That settles it: I’m showing up at Laura’s with a set of Pokemon DVDs and a roll of duct tape 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Wolfian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/7ea924/32.png) [@Wolfian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wolfian)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2002, 12:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/god-help-me-i-saw-spy-kids-2/122977/13 "2002-08-09T00:28:57Z")
Really? What’s the plot **Lightnin’**? ---
**Author:** ![Space\_Vampire](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e0b2c6/32.png) [@Space\_Vampire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Space_Vampire)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2002, 12:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/god-help-me-i-saw-spy-kids-2/122977/14 "2002-08-09T00:39:19Z")
I watched SS 3 times in the theater. Send Miramax a message (that being “eat me”) and buy the import DVD instead of watching the cut and dubbed version… ---
**Author:** ![Lightnin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lightnin/32/180_2.png) [@Lightnin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lightnin)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2002, 4:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/god-help-me-i-saw-spy-kids-2/122977/15 "2002-08-09T04:53:16Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Wolfian \* > \*\*Really? What’s the plot **Lightnin’**? \*\* Short version- a former world-famous soccer star (Golden Leg), now lame and working for the man who broke his leg, discovers a martial artist who, thanks to his training, can do AMAZING things with a soccer ball. The martial artist also has several brothers, each with their own specialty (one can kick soccer balls basically into orbit, another has an indestructible and insanely accurate head, yet another is, thanks to his training, an incredible goalie). They eventually form a soccer team to defeat the bad guy who destroyed Golden Leg’s future. The special effects are completely over-the-top. Simply beautiful. ---
**Author:** ![grendel72](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/91b2a8/32.png) [@grendel72](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/grendel72)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2002, 5:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/god-help-me-i-saw-spy-kids-2/122977/16 "2002-08-09T05:37:51Z")
Are you sure Shaolin Soccer is going to be cut, **SV**? Not all of us are able to play foreign DVD regions, and I’ve been looking forward to this one. I’ll be able to see it no matter what, but I was wanting to see it in a theater. ---
**Author:** ![Space\_Vampire](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e0b2c6/32.png) [@Space\_Vampire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Space_Vampire)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2002, 5:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/god-help-me-i-saw-spy-kids-2/122977/17 "2002-08-09T05:52:36Z")
The DVD is region-free, and the Miramax release has been confirmed as cut (some sound tolerable, some sound very detrimental) and dubbed. Some say the dubbed version is “funnier” if you can’t speak Cantonese, but I don’t approve of dumbing-down in any form. ---
**Author:** ![Lyllyan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/b2d939/32.png) [@Lyllyan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lyllyan)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2002, 6:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/god-help-me-i-saw-spy-kids-2/122977/18 "2002-08-09T06:15:29Z")
I \*wish \* we had seen “Spykids2”. Instead, I had to sit through “Master of Disguise”. My only consolation is that “Country Bears” has gotta be worse. Not by much, though. “MOD” makes you feel really sorry for Dana Carvey. He wants to be the next Austin Powers so badly, but all he seems to be able to do is mug for the camera. ---
**Author:** ![Ferrous](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/8e7dd6/32.png) [@Ferrous](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ferrous)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2002, 4:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/god-help-me-i-saw-spy-kids-2/122977/19 "2002-08-12T16:45:45Z")
Well, I went to see Spy Kids 2 this weekend, as I promised the little nipper. I had a pretty good feeling about it, actually. Our local alt rag had a pretty positive review, so I was pretty hopeful… **Steverino** , I’ll never doubt you again. It sucked. Okay, there were a few fairly amusing bits, and some of the gadgets were cool. But yeah, overall, it was pretty damn stupid. The boy liked it though. Oh well… ---
**Author:** ![xizor](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/xizor/32/102_2.png) [@xizor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/xizor)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2002, 7:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/god-help-me-i-saw-spy-kids-2/122977/20 "2002-08-12T19:18:49Z")
At least it had Steve Buscemi in it. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/god-help-me-i-saw-spy-kids-2/122977.md?page=2)