As a huge fan of action-comedy movies, I was excited to see the return of J.J. (Dave Bautista) and Sophie (Chloe Coleman) in My Spy: The Eternal City. Having enjoyed the original movie for its unique blend of action and heart, I looked forward to seeing how the dynamic between this unlikely duo would evolve. However, my anticipation was quickly dampened as I watched the sequel unfold on screen.
As a longtime fan of action films and heartwarming family comedies, I have seen my fair share of movies where a tough, gruff hero is paired with a precocious child. From Schwarzenegger’s Kindergarten Cop to Diesel’s The Pacifier, The Rock’s The Game Plan, and Jackie Chan’s The Spy Next Door, I have enjoyed many an evening entertained by these formulaic yet endearing tales.
As a gamer, I’m excited about this sequel because J.J., played by Bautista, is back in the picture as my stepdad, while Sophie, portrayed by Coleman, is growing up and becoming a rebellious teenager. She’s at that age where she’s starting to ask herself who she likes and inviting him to the dance is all that matters to her. It sets up an intriguing storyline, but there’s a challenge: how does this movie handle the serious action elements with such a childish premise?
In the beginning, the students go on a school excursion with J.J. serving as their chaperone. Initially, the malevolent plan seems unrelated to the primary plot. However, when the two converge, the film gains momentum. The concept bears resemblance to Spider-Man: Far From Home, but My Spy: The Eternal City falls short. Unlike the former, this production struggles to harmoniously blend humor and gravity. As a result, the already weak suspense is further diminished whenever a joke is introduced.
In the first act, the movie comes across as a lighthearted Disney Channel coming-of-age comedy. However, the sudden shift to an action thriller plot feels jarring. The writers, Jon Hoeber, Erich Hoeber, and Segal, aim to escalate the initial film’s stakes for the sequel. While it makes sense to raise the stakes in a follow-up, it can feel like a watered-down version of a superior film given the childlike elements woven into the plot. Portions of the climax bear similarities to Mission: Impossible – Fallout, and the inclusion of a large nuclear storyline seems forced and inconsistent with the rest of the movie.
As a gamer, I’d put it like this: In the latest installment of the movie franchise, Ken Jeong’s character takes center stage. He was previously the quiet desk guy in the earlier film, but now he gets to join the action with a bang! Jeong brings some hilarious moments to the table, most notably when he teams up with Bautista and an array of CGI birds in a scene that pushes the boundaries of ridiculousness. His character also has a son named Collin (Taeho K), who is surprisingly Sophie’s closest friend. I couldn’t help but roll my eyes when I learned that bit of info – talk about coincidences! Unfortunately, Collin’s performance leaves much to be desired. The scene where someone comments on his fear, and my initial thought was “No way, he doesn’t look scared at all.”
In an intriguing move for the film, Flula Borg, who is an actor and popular YouTuber, is portrayed as the menacing antagonist named Crane. Despite being a formidable adversary in most scenes, he unexpectedly rants about face recognition technology in one instance. Unfortunately, none of the villains leave a lasting impact in this movie. Their reasons for causing chaos are insufficient, and they all follow typical villain archetypes. The filmmakers try to add a plot twist involving one of the villains, but it’s disappointingly predictable. Despite having a talented comedic ensemble, Segal manages to suppress their comedic skills effectively.
It’s quite puzzling, really. Segal, who is well-known for directing comedies such as “Tommy Boy,” “50 First Dates,” and “Naked Gun 33⅓: The Final Insult,” fails to utilize the comedic talents of his actors in this film. Anna Faris, famous for her hilarious roles in the “Scary Movie” series, doesn’t elicit a single laugh. Craig Robinson, who is consistently funny both on screen and on TV, is given only one quick joke at the beginning and then becomes an insignificant character. Even lead actors Bautista and Coleman deliver less charming, more subdued performances compared to their previous work.
The Spy: The Eternal City has some redeeming elements such as a few amusing moments and references to the original film. However, it falls short in delivering consistent humor and excitement. Kristen Schaal’s comedy didn’t resonate before and fails to do so this time around. The film strays too far from its heartwarming and uplifting tone in favor of action, resulting in a less enjoyable experience. Additionally, the special effects become glaringly obvious towards the end. In summary, this movie isn’t worth revisiting or even watching for the first time.
SCORE: 4/10
According to ComingSoon’s review guidelines, a score of 4 signifies “Poor.” The drawbacks overshadow the good parts, making it a challenging experience to finish.
Disclosure: ComingSoon received a screener for our My Spy: The Eternal City review.
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2024-07-17 17:10