SPY KIDS 3-D: GAME OVER (2003)

MORGAN'S RATING

On their latest assignment, under-age Juni and Carmen Cortez journey inside the virtual reality world of a cool but crazy game, where anything is possible. But a power hungry villain named The Toymaker wants to take over the youth of the world, so Juni and Carmen must battle their way through tougher and tougher levels of three-dimensional game ingeniously designed to outwit and defeat them. Using their usual humor, gadgetry, bravery and family bonds, the Spy Kids must win every high-flying, puzzle-solving challenge, from racing road warriors to surfing on boiling lava.

Antonio Banderas (Gregorio Cortez), Carla Gugino (Ingrid Cortez), Alexa Vega (Carmen Cortez), Daryl Sabara (Juni Cortez), Ricardo Montalban (Grandfather), Holland Taylor (Grandmother), Sylvester Stallone (The Toymaker), Mike Judge (Donnagon Giggles), Salma Hayek (Cesca Giggles), Matthew O'Leary (Gary Giggles), Emily Osment (Gerti Giggles), Ryan Pinkston (Arnold), Robert Vito (Rez), Bobby Edner (Francis), Danny Trejo (Machete), Courtney Jines (Demetra), Cheech Marin (Felix Gumm), Alan Cumming (Fegan Floop), Tony Shalhoub (Alexander Minion), Steve Buscemi (Romero), Bill Paxton (Dinky Winks), George Clooney (Devlin), Elijah Wood (The Guy), Selena Gomez (Waterpark Girl), Evan Sebara (Creepy Kid), Camille Chen (Processor), Steve Werheimer (Agent Hot Rod), Alejandro Rose-Garcia (Edog), Lane Turney (Logos), Glen Powell Jr. (Long-Fingered Boy), Bob Fonseca (Agent Damage Report), Peter Marquardt (OSS Agent #2), James Paxton (Dinky Winks Jr.).

3RD MISSION. 3RD DIMENSION.

PRODUCTION INFORMATION

DIRECTOR: Robert Rodriguez (Once Upon a Time ... ) WRITER: Robert Rodriguez. PRODUCERS: Robert Rodriguez and Elizabeth Avellan.  LINE PRODUCER: Bill Scott. EXECUTIVE PRODUCERS: Bob Weinstein and Harvey Weinstein. ORIGINAL MUSIC: Robert Rodriguez. DISTRIBUTOR: Dimension Films

FACTS

RELEASE DATE: July 25th, 2003 (USA) DVD RELEASE DATE: February 24th, 2004 (USA) BOX OFFICE OPENING: $33.4 million (USA) BOX OFFICE RESULT: $111.7 million (USA) BUDGET: $38 million (USA) SHOOTING DATES: December 2002 -- April 2003 - This is the second time that Antonio Banderas and Sylvester Stallone have appeared in the same film together. Their first collaboration was Assassins (1995) and they played opposite characters roles...Sly the hero and Banderas the villain. - The HD/3-D process is the same one used by James Cameron for his IMAX feature Ghosts of the Abyss (2003). - At the end of the credits, there are audition tapes of Alexa Vega (Carmen) and Daryl Sabara (Juni) for the first movie. - Sylvester Stallone said in an interview that he asked his kids about the previous Spy Kids movies and if he should accept the role in the third installment.  - When Juni and Grandpa emerge from the game, Grandpa says that the armrests on his wheelchair are covered in rich Corinthian leather. This is a reference to actor Ricardo Montalban's Chrysler Cordoba TV commercials in the late 70's ("The seats are upholstered in rich Corinthian leather"). - George Clooney's scenes were shot in one afternoon in his own living room. - Winner of one 2004 Razzie Award for Worst Supporting Actor (Sylvester Stallone).

QUOTES

Carmen: You'll have to go through me first ... Game-Boy!

Juni: Arnold, you should know, when we reach Level 5 - Arnold: Don't tell me. I want it to be a surprise. Juni: Believe me, it will.

CRITICAL COMMENTS

"The special effects may be in 3-D, but the story is flat, and there is very little of the quirky humor of the first two movies." -- Nell Minow, Movie Mom

"This one, which puts the viewer right inside the video game with Juni, is also fun, although not quite as endearing and surprising as the first two outings." -- Jami Bernard, New York Daily News

"While the visuals have gained a dimension, the story has lost one." -- Mark Caro, Chicago Tribune

"A flat and dreary disappointment." -- Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun Times

"Rodriguez may have overreached his abilities with this film." -- Daphne Gordon, Toronto Star