My Spy: The Eternal City (English) Review {3.0/5} & Review Rating
Star Cast: Dave Bautista, Chloe Coleman
Director: Pete Segal
My Spy: The Eternal City Movie Review Synopsis:
MY SPY: THE ETERNAL CITY is the story of a father and a daughter. Three years after the events of the first part, JJ (Dave Bautista) now loves the desk job and loves taking care of his stepdaughter Sophie (Chloe Coleman). Sophie, now 14, however, wants some space and feels suffocated with the disciplinary lifestyle of JJ. Sophie is part of the choir of her school and the group is selected for a trip to Italy where they get to perform in several places, including the Vatican City. JJ accompanies the students as a chaperone. Sophie is in love with one of the students on this trip, Ryan (Billy Barratt). Her other friend, Collin (Taeho K), is in love with Sophie but she doesn't realize it. During their stopover in Florence, the trio go out for ice cream. Though JJ is following them, Collin gets kidnapped. Things get complicated since Collin is the son of David Kim (Ken Jeong) of the CIA, who's also JJ's boss. Kim is asked to part with sensitive information that can destroy the world, in return for his son's life. What happens next forms the rest of the film.
My Spy: The Eternal City Movie Story Review:
Jon Hoeber, Erich Hoeber and Pete Segal's story is clichéd. Jon Hoeber, Erich Hoeber and Pete Segal's screenplay, however, has a lot of fun moments, though it doesn't reach the level of the first part. The dialogues are one of the best parts of the enterprise.
Pete Segal's direction is decent. Like the last part, MY SPY [2020], it is neat and uncomplicated. More than the action, it is the comedy that works. A few twists and turns are unexpected. Also, the bond shared by the characters with each other adds to the fun and madness.
On the flipside, the initial 30 minutes are just okay. The USP of the first part was the bond shared by the spy and the young girl. In the sequel, we see both of them at loggerheads, at least in the first 30 minutes, and it's not appealing. Even the initial scenes of the Italy trip don't impress much. It's only when Collin gets kidnapped, and Kim and Bobbi (Kristen Schaal) join the duo that things get better. The finale, shot underwater, isn't as nail-biting or touching and could have been better executed.
My Spy: The Eternal City Movie Performances:
Dave Bautista looks dashing and delivers an entertaining performance. Chloe Coleman shines yet again. She's the soul of this series and this time, she gets to do some great action as well. Ken Jeong gets a lot of screen time and raises laughs. Kristen Schaal is too good, especially with her expressions and sarcasm. Taeho K is adorable while Billy Barratt looks dashing. Bishop Crane and Nancy Buck are strictly okay as the villains. Devere Rogers (Carlos) and Noah Danby (Todd) are funny.
My Spy: The Eternal City movie music and other technical aspects:
Sean Segal's music has a cinematic feel. Larry Blanford's cinematography is spectacular. The action is routine. Darion Hing's costumes and Chris L Spellman's production design are appealing. Jason Gourson's editing is slick but drags in the middle.
My Spy: The Eternal City Movie Review Conclusion:
On the whole, MY SPY: THE ETERNAL CITY is a decent comedy for the whole family.