New Spy Kids are introduced in this fourth mission, six years after the last pair hung up their badges. Jessica Alba also stars as a top spy who retires to become a full-time stepmum to her new husband’s children Rebecca (Rowan Blanchard) and Cecil (Mason Cook). However, when a mysterious villain called The Timekeeper starts stealing time, causing hours and days to fly by, the siblings must join up with their step-mother to become the new Spy Kids and save the world.
While it is strictly kids’ fare, it’s a multi-coloured, high octane treat perfect for the summer holidays. The 3D action is supplemented by aroma-scope, a series of scratch-and-sniff aromas with numbers corresponding to on-screen prompts. This element doesn’t add much to the experience, if only because of the difficulty of reading the numbers in the dark of a cinema, but is a nice touch and enhances the sense of fun.
For under 10s this will be a visual treat, and at under 90 minutes it doesn’t outstay its welcome either.
Star Rating: ***
