Spy Kids (film) facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Spy Kids
Theatrical release poster
Directed by	Robert Rodriguez
Produced by	Elizabeth Avellán Robert Rodriguez
Written by	Robert Rodriguez
Starring	Antonio Banderas Carla Gugino Alan Cumming Teri Hatcher Cheech Marin Danny Trejo Robert Patrick Tony Shalhoub Alexa Vega Daryl Sabara
Music by	Danny Elfman Gavin Greenaway Heitor Pereira John Debney Robert Rodriguez Marcel Rodriguez Los Lobos Harry Gregson-Williams David Garza Chris Boardman
Cinematography	Guillermo Navarro
Editing by	Robert Rodriguez
Studio	Troublemaker Studios
Distributed by	Dimension Films
Release date(s)	March 30, 2001 (2001-03-30)
Running time	88 minutes
Country	United States
Language	English
Budget	$35 million
Money made	$147.9 million

Spy Kids is a fun family spy movie from 2001. It was written, directed, and produced by Robert Rodriguez. The film stars Antonio Banderas and Carla Gugino as super-spy parents. Their kids, played by Alexa Vega and Daryl Sabara, become spies too!

This movie was the first in the Spy Kids film series. It came out in the United States on March 30, 2001. The film earned over $147 million around the world. Critics really liked it, giving it a 93% approval rating.

Spy Kids was so popular that three more movies followed. These were Spy Kids 2: The Island of Lost Dreams (2002), Spy Kids 3-D: Game Over (2003), and Spy Kids: All the Time in the World (2011). An animated TV show, Spy Kids: Mission Critical, also came out in 2018.

Story of Spy Kids

Spy Parents and Their Secret

Gregorio and Ingrid Cortez look like a normal couple. But they are actually super spies! Their children, Carmen and Juni, have no idea about their parents' secret jobs. Gregorio and Ingrid work for the Organization of Super Spies (OSS). They usually do office work.

One day, many other spies go missing. Gregorio and Ingrid are called back to active duty. Gregorio thinks a children's TV host, Fegan Floop, is behind it. Floop is known for his strange creatures called "Fooglies." The kids are left with their "uncle," Felix.

Parents Captured!

Soon, Gregorio and Ingrid are captured by Floop's robot helpers. These robots are called "Thumb-Thumbs" because their arms and legs look like big thumbs. Felix quickly tells Carmen and Juni the truth. He explains that their parents are spies. He also reveals he is an agent, not their real uncle.

Suddenly, ninja Thumb-Thumbs attack their house! Felix is captured, but Carmen and Juni escape. They get away in a special submarine. It takes them to a secret safe house.

Kids Become Spies

At the safe house, Carmen and Juni learn more about their parents' past. They decide they must rescue them! Meanwhile, at his castle, Floop shows off his new plan. He has created small robots that look like children. He wants to replace the world leaders' kids with these super-strong robots. This way, he can control the world.

But the robots are "dumb" and can't think for themselves. Floop's boss, Mr. Lisp, is very angry. He demands working robots. Floop and his helper, Alexander Minion, question Gregorio and Ingrid. They want to know about 'The Third Brain.' Ingrid knows nothing about it. Gregorio claims he destroyed it years ago.

The Third Brain

Gregorio later tells Ingrid that the Third Brain was a secret OSS project. It was an AI brain with all the skills of every OSS agent. The project was stopped because it was too dangerous. But Gregorio couldn't destroy the last prototype.

Back at the safe house, a woman named Ms. Gradenko visits the kids. She says she works for the OSS. Gradenko gives Carmen a bracelet. She asks about the Third Brain. Carmen doesn't know anything. Gradenko then orders the safe house to be taken apart. Juni sees ninja Thumb-Thumbs outside. They are destroying their submarine.

A Chase and a Betrayal

Gradenko's true intentions are now clear. Juni accidentally reveals the Third Brain. A jetpack chase begins! Carmen eventually gets the brain. She and Juni escape. But Carmen realizes the bracelet Gradenko gave her was a tracking device.

Robot versions of Carmen and Juni attack them. Juni tries to destroy the robot copies, but he can't. The androids fly off with the Third Brain. Now, Floop can achieve his goal. But Floop still wants to make his children's show. Minion has other plans. He takes over and traps Floop.

Help from Uncle Machete

The siblings get help from their uncle, Isador "Machete" Cortez. He is Gregorio's brother. They visit his spy shop. Machete doesn't want to go with them. So, they steal some of his spy gear. They also take his spy plane to fly to Floop's castle.

After some problems, Juni crashes the plane into the castle. They swim inside through an underwater entrance.

Family Reunion and Victory

While the kids are in the castle, Gregorio tells Ingrid a secret. Minion used to work for the OSS. Gregorio had him fired for messing with the Third Brain project. Juni rescues Floop. Floop then helps Juni and Carmen free their parents.

Together, they trap Minion. They confront Lisp and Gradenko. Then, 500 robot children attack the family! Just in time, Machete crashes through a window. He makes up with Gregorio. The whole family fights together.

At the last moment, Floop reprograms the robots. They switch sides! The 500 super-strong robots quickly defeat Minion, Lisp, and Gradenko. Floop takes Juni's advice. He introduces the robot versions of Carmen and Juni on his show.

The family's breakfast is interrupted by Devlin. He is the director of the OSS. He has a new mission for Carmen and Juni. They agree, but only if the Cortez family can work together as a team.

Cast of Characters

Music in Spy Kids

The music in Spy Kids helps tell the story. It is called the film score. The main music was written by John Debney and Danny Elfman. Other people also helped, including the director Robert Rodriguez.

One special song is "Floop's Song (Cruel World)." The actor Alan Cumming, who plays Floop, sings it. The band Los Lobos performs a song called "Oye Como Spy." This song was nominated for an award in 2002. The song at the end of the movie is "Spy Kids (Save the World)." It is sung by the band Fonda.

The music for Spy Kids won an award. It was given by the ASCAP Film and Television Music Awards.

Songs on the Soundtrack

• "Cortez Family" (Gavin Greenaway, Heitor Teixeira Pereira, Harry Gregson-Williams) – 1:39
• "My Parents Are Spies" (Danny Elfman) – 2:09
• "Spy Wedding" (Los Lobos, Robert Rodriguez) – 2:11
• "Spy Kids Demonstration" (John Debney, R. Rodriguez, Marcel Rodriguez) – 1:06
• "Parents on Mission" (Debney, Elfman, Greenaway, Pereira) – 1:17
• "Kids Escape House" (Greenaway, Pereira) – 3:14
• "Pod Chase" (Debney, Elfman, Gregson-Williams) – 1:38
• "The Safehouse" (Debney, Elfman) – 0:47
• "The Third Brain" (Debney, R. Rodriguez, M. Rodriguez) – 1:00
• "Buddy Pack Escape" (Elfman) – 1:39
• "Oye Como Spy" (Davíd Garza, Tito Puente, R. Rodriguez) Performed by Los Lobos – 2:59
• "Floop's Song (Cruel World)" (Elfman) Performed by Alan Cumming – 0:59
• "Spy Go Round" (Greenaway, Pereira, M. Rodriguez) – 2:11
• "Minion" (Chris Boardman, Greenaway, Pereira, R. Rodriguez) – 1:03
• "Sneaking Around Machetes" (Elfman) – 0:35
• "The Spy Plane" (Debney, Elfman) – 1:29
• "Floop's Castle" (Boardman) – 1:29
• "Final Family Theme" (Gregson-Williams) – 1:44
• "Spy Kids (Save the World)" Emily Cook, David Klotz, Dave Newton Performed by Fonda – 2:20

More Spy Kids Movies

• Spy Kids 2: The Island of Lost Dreams
• Spy Kids 3-D: Game Over
• Spy Kids: All the Time in the World

The Spy Kids Book

A book version of the Spy Kids movie was released in March 2001. It was written by Megan Stine, a children's book author. The movie posters and end credits even told viewers to "Read the Talk/Miramax Books" version.

See also

In Spanish: Spy Kids para niños