Quickie Movie Review: "Spy Kids: All the Time in the World"

Rated: PG for mild action and rude humor (US)
Starring: Jessica Alba, Joel McHale, Rowan Blanchard, and Mason Cook
Released: August 19, 2011 (theaters) / November 22, 2011 (DVD / Blu-Ray)

Synopsis: On her last mission before giving up being a spy to be a stay-at-home mom, Marissa (Jessica Alba) stops a crook known as the Timekeeper, who uses time-altering gadgets as his weapons.  A year later, while at home with her baby daughter and her stepchildren Rebecca (Rowan Blanchard) and Cecil (Mason Cook), she gets a call from the agency she used to work for, forcing her back into action.  Problem is, her kids don't know that she was ever a spy, and neither does her husband (Joel McHale).  With the Timekeeper intent on bringing about the end of time, it's up to the members of the Wilson family to stop him...but they end up getting assistance from some very unlikely sources.

My Review: The Spy Kids movies may be action/adventure flicks only intended for children, but, honestly, if the makers of the original were going to do something like this, they should have made a TV show for Nickelodeon or the Disney Channel.  As such, this movie by itself is a bit underwhelming.  Some of the moments are humorous and charming; others are just ridiculous, especially the opening, which features a woman beating up bad guys while she is in labor.  (What were the makers thinking?) Hardcore fans of the Spy Kids series up to this point will likely enjoy this one, but more casual fans might not like it as much.

Content Concerns:

• Sex: It is discussed that a woman is in labor, is having contractions, and that her water broke. 4/5
• Nudity: Marissa wears some outfits that show cleavage and/or part of her back, and a random, nameless woman is seen in an off-the-shoulder outfit. 4/5
• Language: God's name is misused about three times; the euphemism "geez" is used just as much.  Terms such as "butthead" and "shut up" are heard once each, as is a euphemism for the s-word. 3.75/5
• Violence: As expected, there is TV-Y7-style "fantasy violence" throughout.  Characters get hit, kicked, punched, and tossed quite often.  A house is seen in shambles after an invasion. 2.5/5
• Drugs: None. 5/5
• Frightening/Intense Scenes: The main villain could be scary to younger kids.  Also, seeing a one-year-old kid put into dangerous situations could be upsetting to some people. 3.5/5
• Other: Bodily functions--flatulence, vomiting, baby diapers, etc.--are often used as a source of humor. 3/5

Final Score: 2/5