Spy Kids 2: The Island of Lost Dreams

By EWAN MCDONALD

(Herald rating: * * *)

Some spy-movie franchises might be well past their use-by dates (the 007th of when?) but here is one that rocks. The second Spy Kids movie is every bit as fun, fresh and cool as the first. Of course, it helps if you have a child to watch it with.

Junior spies Carmen (Alexa Vega) and Juni Cortez (Daryl Sabara) have saved the free world in the first episode and are back with mum Ingrid (Carla Gugino) and dad Gregorio (Antonio Banderas).

Soon the leading lights of the Spy Kids agency are called on to rescue the US President's daughter, Alexandra (Taylor Momsen), from a life-threatening accident in a theme park. But their rivals, Gary and Gerti Giggles (Matt OLeary and Emily Osment), get in on the act, which means their sneaky dad, Donnagon (Mike Judge), is installed as head of the agency.

Donnagon makes his kids Numeros Uno and Due and sends them off to bring the mysterious transmooker device back from a remote island.

With the sort of trickery that will have the viewers on the sofa cheering, Carmen and Juni put one over the Giggles kids, sending them off to the Gobi Desert while they head for the island.

There they will find a mad scientist, Romero (Steve Buscemi), and his world of fabulous creatures, meet and make friends with Gary and Gerti, and track down that transmooker. They might even — shock! horror! unheard of in a kids' movie! — have to rely on Mum and Dad to help them out of a spot.

Good extras on the DVD, too.

DVD features: movie (99min); Robert Rodriguez 10-Minute Film School (director shows how to create big effects on a small budget); director's commentary; 8 deleted scenes; 4 features — Stunt Kids, Big Bend National Park, Gadgets of Spy Kids, a day in the life of the Spy Kids; behind the scenes montages; stills gallery; art gallery; music video; trailer.