Spy Kids 3-D: Game Over

There are no boring, expository sequences; no depressing, grown-up politics. Instead, Rodriguez gifts us with a kaleidoscope of energy and invention.

In a summer in which every blockbuster is zealous to be a video game, Rodriguez, with a wink, has produced his own.

Rodriguez has a sure sense of scale and pacing as well as an artisan's relaxed control of the material.

Some viewers will miss the warmth and boisterous family dynamics of its predecessors.

In sum, it's a quintessential summer film, especially if you're 8 years old and in the mood for a quick dose of mindless fun.

Spy Kids 3-D: Game Over, is still offbeat, but more in the sense of unco-ordinated than syncopated.

Combined with the eyestrain produced by the cheap cardboard 3-D glasses, the resulting vertigo is decidedly unpleasant -- although having moon rocks and blobs of cream pie flying out from the screen is kinda cool in a retro way.

Somebody Ring the Dinkster? Best part of the entire film. A perfect film for a perfect delivery of an iconic line from the most iconic character from the entire series.

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[SPOILER ALERT: This review contains spoilers.]

[SPOILER ALERT: This review contains spoilers.]

It fails to catch the charm of the first two movies or the aura of the video game community. It relies on the viewers understanding of the previous films' characters without attempting to expand upon them or the new ones introduced. Family themes and comedic spy jokes are now replaced with unfunny video game quirks that are too generic for even a gamer to enjoy. Mix in some terrible CGI and little relevant messages or references, Spy Kids 3D was as dated then as it is today.