Average Rating: 3.5/10
Reviews Counted: 87
Fresh: 11 | Rotten: 76
Lacking a script funny enough to cover up for Jackie Chan's fading physical gifts, The Spy Next Door fails on every conceivable level.
Average Rating: 3.2/10
Critic Reviews: 20
Fresh: 1 | Rotten: 19
Lacking a script funny enough to cover up for Jackie Chan's fading physical gifts, The Spy Next Door fails on every conceivable level.
liked it
Average Rating: 3.1/5
User Ratings: 102,405
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 again 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
PG, 1 hr. 32 min.
Jan 15, 2010 Wide
May 18, 2010
$24.3M
Lionsgate
All Critics (89) | Top Critics (20) | Fresh (12) | Rotten (76) | DVD (6)
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.
Chan's comedic gifts and still-nimble moves are wasted in a string of unimaginative household calamities and practical jokes.
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 -- this half-hearted hodgepodge.
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 frankly most of those are a little depressing.
Chan is actually a fairly likeable hero and his elocution, never great, is at least passable in this latest romp.
Duller than a Monday night at the cobweb museum...
This film plays it too safe and brings you only a smidgeon of charm and laughter.
An uncomfortable journey for everyone involved.
Though mixing espionage and family values in unraveling dysfunctional behavior among a bratty brood of siblings may be a stretch, Jackie Chan makes the most of it in his latest caper targeting unruly kids.
Though mixing espionage and family values in unraveling dysfunctional behavior among a bratty brood of siblings may be a stretch, Jackie Chan makes the most of it in his latest caper targeting unruly kids.
This is the broad, silly kiddie exercise it appears to be.
Lame.
The woeful screenplay, the mundane direction, by Brian Levant, and the indifferent acting all combine to sink a stupid plot which should never have got off the ground.
[The movie] is [likable], bringing a peppy energy to Bob's segue from international spy to babysitter.
The slapstick comedy will amuse a young audience, but their parents will find it tedious.
Definitely one for the kids to watch on their own when it comes out on DVD.
Chan has just enough friendly charm to transcend this rubbish.
Tongue-in-cheek entertainment...
[It] may be a sign that age has finally caught up with this once most agile of action heroes.
A movie that posits Billy Ray Cyrus as a techno-genius and allows the baddies to get away with Russian accents that would put most meerkats to shame.
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.
January 13, 2010
Super Reviewer
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 don't think I could watch this alone, its not
January 15, 2010Super Reviewer
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