Movie Review - Spies in Disguise: Of glitter and showy mayhem

Johnson Thomas

Spies in Disguise appears to be a big screen cartoon with grandiose ambitions of becoming animation’s answer to James Bond. Targeted at the pre-teen segment, this film has the razzle-dazzle to attract attention but lacks the guile and substance to be valued as a memorable entertainer.

Super spy Lance Sterling (voiced by Will Smith) is framed for treason by a villain with a robotic claw hand. Even Internal Affairs represented by determined detective Marcy Kappel (Rashida Jones) wants him in the dock. So, the only alternative for him is to seek out gizmo inventor Walter Beckett (Tom Holland) and enlist his help for the creation of an invisible potion. But Beckett’s efforts are well short of the expected- turning him into a blue pigeon instead.   

There’s a bit of humour regarding pigeon’s waste and such with some of the mirth mined from other birds attaching themselves to Lance. Thereafter it’s all about anti-violence messaging and preaching about teamwork and friendship. Walter’s quirky temperament is exemplified by the pack of pigeons he keeps as company. All his inventions are rather whimsical, powered to distract rather than harm. And, they all come in handy for the designated finale. There’s not much visual innovation other than that of the juvenile variety.

The studio that brought us the Ice Age franchise makes Spies in Disguise more of an investment than a creative entity. Will Smith’s voicing is colourful and charismatic, but it doesn’t add distinction or allure to the animated experience. This film is colourful but lacks consistency and nuance. Walter is a pacifist yet it is his inventions that are used in spy skullduggery. The narrative pulls off a finale, that’s all glitter and showy mayhem - charming but infantile and imminently forgettable.