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The Spy Next Door is a delightful family romp for practically all ages. Rated PG, it’s not a message movie but popcorn entertainment with very strong values. Jackie Chan stars as Bob Ho, a Chinese spy on loan to the CIA. He has fallen in love with the divorced woman next door, Gillian, who has three precocious, opinionated children. After arresting a Russian bad guy, Bob is ready to retire and settle down with Gillian. The problem is, Gillian’s children don’t like Bob. They think he’s a boring nerd who works as a pen salesman. Bob is about to tell Gillian about his spy past, when she is called out of state to be with her athletic father, who’s in the hospital having his hip replaced. Bob pleads with her to let him watch the children while she’s away so he can convince them to like him. She reluctantly agrees, but the Russian bad guy, Anton, is sprung out of jail.
Making matters worse, Gillian’s precocious son, Ian, has downloaded a secret file from Bob’s computer that Anton would kill to erase. The file contains a special formula Anton has created to destroy America’s oil supply. The comedy in The Spy Next Door involves Jackie Chan trying to handle Gillian’s children while also protecting them from Anton and his henchmen. This provides plenty of opportunity to watch Jackie in action as he comically thwarts the bad guys and the children’s mischievous intentions. Despite a few corny moments, the movie is loads of family fun. In the middle of the action, The Spy Next Door extols family, including protecting children from harm and teaching them to do the right thing. Two subplots involve Ian’s difficulty in telling the truth and the young female teenager’s problems with rebellion. Combine these things with the plot to defeat the bad guys and put them in jail, and you get a very positive, entertaining family movie with lots of good values. Even better, the movie teaches positive values in a gentle way that makes the movie even more family friendly as well as more kid friendly. What more could you want? Released in theatres January 14, this film’s plot is a pleasure to watch unfold. That said, there is some action comedy violence and some lines that require caution for young children. This content is relatively light compared to some other PG family movies, however. The Spy Next Door contains high quality entertainment and it sure to please the whole family. Reviewed by Dr. Ted Baehr photos courtesy Lions Gate Entertainment
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