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Jackie Chan, Amber Valletta, Madeline Carroll, George Lopez, Billy Ray Cyrus ... see more see more... , Will Shadley , Alina Foley , Magnús Scheving , Katherine Boecher , Lucas Till , Mia Stallard , Maverick McWilliams , Quinn Mason , Margaret Murphy , Frank Bond , Arron Shiver , Esodie Geiger , Stephen Eiland , Tim Connolly , Troy R. Brenna , Jeff Chase , Scott Workman , Mark Kubr , David Mattey

Reminiscent of Kindergarten Cop, with a dash of Spy Kids, The Spy Next Door blends together an entertaining mixture of family fun and martial-arts comedy styling to form a familiar story that once aga... read more read more...in reminds us that even hardened action heroes have a soft side. Jackie Chan stars as Bob Ho, an international spy on loan to the CIA who gives up his job in hopes of leading a so-called normal life with his next-door-neighbor girlfriend and her rambunctious brood. There's nothing in Spy that the audience hasn't seen before from similarly themed incarnations (think The Pacifier), but, fans will appreciate director Brian Levant's homage to Jackie Chan's past Hong Kong movie blockbusters -- most notably, Police Story and The Legend of Drunken Master -- during the opening credit sequence, which is fitting considering many of the action sequences are derivative of those films.The main story centers on Bob's relationship with artsy single mom Gillian (Amber Valletta) and her three kids: precocious teenage stepdaughter Farren (Madeline Carroll), nerdy middle child Ian (Will Shadley), and adorably energetic Nora (Alina Foley). After an emergency sends Gillian away to Denver, Bob steps up and offers to watch the kids while she's gone. Ill-equipped to handle a situation that's clearly over his head, Bob utilizes his spy skills and gadgets -- video watch, GPS tracking, x-ray glasses -- to gain control over the situation in hopes of winning over the kid's affection, but when an old enemy escapes from prison and threatens his potential family, Bob must return to his 007 world of international espionage to protect them.Admittedly, there's a certain level of cheese in this film, especially when it comes to the Boris-and-Natasha-style villains, Poldark (Magnús Scheving) and Creel (Katherine Boecher), whose silly Russian stereotyped performances and running joke about American fashion unabashedly border on cringe-worthy territory. Not to mention, the thinly plotted storyline involving brainiac Ian, who accidentally downloads a top-secret formula for oil-eating ooze created by the bad guys, which propels the main action of the film. Adding to the pile are the supporting cast members: George Lopez as the traitorous CIA agent, Glaze, and Billy Ray Cyrus as CIA agent and Bob's BFF Colton James, who lends folksy witticisms like "As gone as rum cake at an AA meeting."Even so, Chan's charm wins out in the end, and The Spy Next Door's most effective sequences involve Bob's attempts to bond with the kids -- from taking little Nora shopping for a Halloween costume to helping Ian with school bullies and girls. These comedic moments more or less overshadow an otherwise simplistic narrative, and the audience can't help but smile to themselves every time Chan appears onscreen. Die-hard fans might miss the era of classic kick-ass Hong Kong action films, but Spy manages to fill that void as an entertaining alternative that kids and parents alike will enjoy. ~ Alaina O'Connor, Rovi

Flixster Users

46% liked it

103,448 ratings

Critics

13% liked it

88 critics

PG, 1 hr. 32 min.

Directed by: Brian Levant

Release Date: January 15, 2010

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DVD Release Date: May 18, 2010

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Stats: 4,790 reviews

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Flixster Reviews (4,790)

  • sanjurosamurai
    June 21, 2011
    sanjurosamurai
    a silly premise and corny script actually works for a film like this. chan is fun to watch as always and my kids enjoyed it. an average and enjoyable family action comedy.
  • EightThirty
    April 25, 2011
    EightThirty
    26/02/2011 (DVD)

    A family buzz! Definitely a winner for the occasional family night in. Enjoyed it very much, the whole martial-art comedy thing is a plus and Jackie Chan is the right ingredient for that. This won't win any 'Oscar" but it will extract a giggle somewhere.

    I d... read moreon't think I could watch this alone, its not that kind of movie to soak in, it's more of a groupie flick where you don't really have to concentrate while you watch it because everything is easy to catch and predictability levels are heightened due to the fact that this plot has been done several times but still... a fun time goodie for the clan.

    A one-time fun time experience for me but a definite recommendation for all. Honestly there are times in this flick where I'm like "I can't believe they left that line in or that scene" but I guess that's why I enjoyed it more... I sort like crap like that, it just makes me wonder and laugh and think whether they did that on purpose. I don't know?
  • mrbungle7821
    March 12, 2011
    mrbungle7821
    I have seen hundreds of movies go bad. I've seen plenty try and cram a ham-fisted saccharine, entirely phony message about family values or whatever hackneyed lesson needs to be delivered with the subtlety of a sledgehammer. Rarely have I seen a movie that tries to cram in EVERY ... read morebanal family message possible into one exasperated running time. There was one point where I counted three clichéd platitudes in a row. Rarely have I seen a movie fail at comedy so badly, even the generous definition of comedy in family films, a subgenre that haunts all those who crossover into it. Rarely have I seen one single family film try to do so much and succeed so breathtakingly little. The Spy Next Door is that movie. Jackie Chan stars as a retired Chinese super spy who the American government wants to keep contracting. He's also dating his neighbor (Amber Valetta) who has three rambunctious kids that fall into easy slots (surly teenager smarting from parent's divorce, dweeby tech kid trying to learn to stand up to bullies, precocious little tyke who makes a mess). Chan agrees to watch over them for a weekend to convince those kids they should give him a shot, or else it's splitsville between he and the mom. It's the Vin Diesel Pacifier movie but done with even less finesse, if possible. The comedy is nonexistent, which is saying something for being as broad as it is, the physical action shows how badly Chan is aging, and the plot is painfully predictable. This is just a sad, uncomfortable viewing experience; it reeks of desperation and despondency. No one looks to be enjoying themselves for a single second. That's probably because The Spy Next Door is a vacuum of fun; it's lazy, incompetent, but worst of all, devoid of any effort to be something other than a mind-numbing, head-scratching waste of 90 minutes.

    Nate's Grade: D-
  • skeletonking101
    December 23, 2010
    skeletonking101
    it was just a nice family friendly action comedy and i enjoyed it quite well
  • deano
    September 24, 2010
    deano
    Wonderful and hilarious family spy films with Jackie Chan as a retirement spy who wants to settle down with his girlfriend, Gillian and her annoying kids. Now the kids hate Chan and Gillian (Amber Valetta) has to leave for a couple of days in order to spend some time with her ail... read moreing father. So who offers to look after the kids? It's not hard to see how clichéd the story is but it is Chan with his creative stunts who makes this a fun watch. The actor's flair for comedy has become common knowledge and he is as energetic as ever. Moreover, his pairing with the beautiful Valetta is refreshing.
    The action is lighter than most Chan movies but it is inventive and fun. The rest of the cast is forgettable. The child actors are initially very annoying. They sort of grow on you as the film proceeds.
  • roygutteridge
    August 14, 2010
    roygutteridge
    Only Chan's charm saves it.
  • 3niR
    July 26, 2010
    3niR
    While watching this movie, I felt nothing was new. It's like the traditional movie of Jackie Chan. Loads of karate skills with funny scenes and a happy ending. This movie was both entertaining and boring which kinda depressed me as I like Jackie a lot. It's good as a family movie... read more and mainly for the kids.
  • binky013
    July 4, 2010
    binky013
    It's Jackie Chan, it's fun. Maybe not his greatest outing, but entertaining enough.
  • fb733768972
    May 26, 2010
    fb733768972
    I completely disagree with whatever the critics concensus was towards this film. I don't love it, but it really isn't bad. From the good hearted story, to the cheesy dialogue, to the cool tidbits of action here and there, this film is actually concluded as okay in my book. Jackie... read more Chan plays his part very well, although I didn't really care for who he was dating in the film. By the end of the movie, you will start to enjoy the entire cast, but you won't laugh much. It is supposed to be hilarious, however that is the only thing it falls short of. It has a few little gags, but it doesn't matter, because somehow it didn't even need it!
  • LWOODS04
    February 20, 2010
    LWOODS04
    Jackie Chan, Amber Valleta, Billy Ray Cyrus, George Lopez, Lucas Till, Magnus Schwving, Will Shadley, Alina Foley, Madeline Farren

    DIRECTED BY: Brian Levant

    Former CIA spy Bob Ho takes on his toughest assignment to date: looking after his girlfriend's three kids, who haven'... read moret exactly warmed to their mom's beau. And when one of the youngsters accidentally downloads a top-secret formula, Bob's longtime nemesis, a Russian terrorist, pays a visit to the family.

    I wasn't interested in seeing this movie, but my niece was. Being the good Aunt that I am, I gave in and watched it with her. She loved it of course cause it is after all a kid's movie. But from an adults point of view, it wasn't so great. It's never a good sign when the kids do a better job at acting then the adults. I mean it has Billy Ray Cyrus in it. He should stick to the Hannah Montana show. I like George Lopez, but he failed in this movie as well. Jackie Chan delivered and had some great action moments. But that is what he is best at. Amber Valletta wasn't to bad. But Magnus Scheving was awful. Just a movie full of bad acting and a plot that feels like it's been done before with "The Pacifier" which is different, but way better then this movie. The kids in this movie were great. Especially the youngest one. She was really cute. So my final opinion on this movie is as an adult it may not be your kind of movie, but if you got kids (or niece's and nephew's) then you should take them to see this. They will love it.

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Critic Reviews

Amy Biancolli
January 15, 2010
Amy Biancolli, Houston Chronicle

At some point, the social mores that functionally banned most other forms of ethnic stereotyping will catch up with the Slavs, a sad day indeed for middling screenwriters. Full Review

Jennie Punter
January 15, 2010
Jennie Punter, Globe and Mail

Chan's comedic gifts and still-nimble moves are wasted in a string of unimaginative household calamities and practical jokes. Full Review

A.O. Scott
January 15, 2010
A.O. Scott, New York Times

As for Mr. Chan, he has some passably choreographed bits with folding chairs, a bicycle and, later, some pots and pans at Gillian's house. But it's hardly enough to redeem -- or even make bearable -- ...

Elizabeth Weitzman
January 15, 2010
Elizabeth Weitzman, New York Daily News

The script -- which took three people to write -- is barely coherent, and it's unclear whether Brian Levant was even on set when he directed. All that's left for us to enjoy are the action scenes, and... Full Review

Bruce Demara
January 15, 2010
Bruce Demara, Toronto Star

Chan is actually a fairly likeable hero and his elocution, never great, is at least passable in this latest romp. Full Review

Kyle Smith
January 15, 2010
Kyle Smith, New York Post

Duller than a Monday night at the cobweb museum... Full Review

Michael O'Sullivan
January 15, 2010
Michael O'Sullivan, Washington Post

Yet another lazily kid-pleasing comedy about a man unprepared for fatherhood who's suddenly saddled with children who hate his guts and whom he must win over in order to make time with their hot singl... Full Review

Carrie Rickey
January 15, 2010
Carrie Rickey, Philadelphia Inquirer

The plot may be forgettable, but the execution is frantic and funny. Full Review

Claudia Puig
January 14, 2010
Claudia Puig, USA Today

Chan's traditional gag reel that rolls with the final credits offers the most entertainment. Full Review

Kara Nesvig
January 14, 2010
Kara Nesvig, Minneapolis Star Tribune

The Spy Next Door is so hokey that I couldn't help but wonder if I was watching a campy sendup. It opens with "Secret Agent Man," for god's sake! Full Review

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  • Spying is Easy, Babysitting is Hard.
  • Part Spy. Part Babysitter. All Hero.
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