Spy Kids 2: Island of Lost Dreams 2002

Wesley Morris, Boston Globe: The sequel is more adult than its predecessor, but just as gadget-packed and action-filled. Read more

Terry Lawson, Detroit Free Press: If you saw last summer's Spy Kids, then Spy Kids 2: Island of Lost Dreams will surely be on your agenda. If you didn't, and you see the sequel, you can safely add to that agenda a trip to the video store for the original. Read more

Rene Rodriguez, Miami Herald: Leaves you wishing Rodriguez had saved some of his ideas for another movie. There's a difference between fast-paced and chaotic, and Spy Kids 2 often blurs the line between the two. Read more

Richard Roeper, Ebert & Roeper: I didn't like the first one enough to recommend it. I liked this one even less. Read more

Susan Stark, Detroit News: A fantastical fun house of a film, one that freely, joyfully, considerately expands upon themes set forth in last summer's sleeper family audience hit. Read more

Michael Wilmington, Chicago Tribune: You don't have to be a child to enjoy Spy Kids 2, but it certainly helps. Read more

A.O. Scott, New York Times: The movie is a gaudy, noisy thrill ride -- hyperactive, slightly out of control and full of kinetic, mischievous charm. Read more

Tom Keogh, Seattle Times: For Spy Kids 2 the seams are well-hidden and a more relaxed Rodriguez is inside working his feng-shui mojo, rearranging rooms to widen the flow of inspiration. The result is a truly daft but wholly organic world fueled by free association. Read more

Eleanor Ringel Gillespie, Atlanta Journal-Constitution: The sequel is everything the original was not: contrived, overblown and tie-in ready. Read more

Kenneth Turan, Los Angeles Times: Though Spy Kids 2 has a touch of sequel-itis, it is still imaginative, smart and stands on its own. Read more

Bruce Westbrook, Houston Chronicle: Spy Kids 2 is loose and lively and appeals to the kid in all of us. Read more

Steven Rosen, Denver Post: It's refreshing to see a kids' action movie in which the most crucial 'special effect' is a rubber band. Read more

Christy Lemire, Associated Press: Rodriguez seems to be trying too hard to cram in too much - more gadgets, more characters, more noise, more color. But bigger, brighter and faster isn't necessarily better. Read more

Lisa Schwarzbaum, Entertainment Weekly: The antics are a tad more frantic, and the gizmos work overtime, as if ... Robert Rodriguez felt the hot breath of el diablo on his neck. On the other hand, the inventiveness is still superior and the network of fiends and family is extended. Read more

Kevin Courrier, Globe and Mail: Spy Kids 2 also happens to be that rarity among sequels: It actually improves upon the original hit movie. Read more

Tom Maurstad, Dallas Morning News: The film is bigger, louder, flashier, but gone are the elements -- such as innocent charm -- that made the original so much fun. Read more

Gene Seymour, Newsday: The imagery snaps and pops with such jumpy, carefree energy that the movie seems to be making itself up as it goes along. Read more

James Berardinelli, ReelViews: Director Robert Rodriguez has once again caught lightning in a bottle. Read more

Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times: With Spy Kids 2: The Island of Lost Dreams, the Spy Kids franchise establishes itself as a durable part of the movie landscape: a James Bond series for kids. Read more

Stephanie Zacharek, Salon.com: Robert Rodriguez follows up his 2001 smash with another comic fantasy that'll please adults as much as kids. Read more

Mick LaSalle, San Francisco Chronicle: Lacks the inspiration of the original and has a bloated plot that stretches the running time about 10 minutes past a child's interest and an adult's patience. But it also has many of the things that made the first one charming. Read more

Peter Howell, Toronto Star: The continued good chemistry between Carmen and Juni is what keeps this slightly disappointing sequel going, with enough amusing banter -- blessedly curse-free -- to keep both kids and parents entertained. Read more

Derek Adams, Time Out: Read more

Claudia Puig, USA Today: Given the appeal of his first movie, Rodriguez had a big act to follow. Spy Kids ' progeny, though slightly lacking in the warmth of the first, should no doubt please audiences. Read more

Robert Koehler, Variety: A sequel that's much too big for its britches. Read more

Jessica Winter, Village Voice: The poised Vega and pleasingly phlegmatic Sabara are resolutely uncute performers, and the reach-out-and-touch-it gadgetry carries a homey scent of proactive nostalgia. Read more