I went into watching *My Spy* not really anticipating much, simply because I needed something to play while my three-year-old was up. I generally don't care for films geared toward families, but having a toddler around might have altered my preferences, as I ended up enjoying this one more than I thought I would! The movie centers on Dave Bautista portraying a hardened spy who rediscovers his capacity for emotion and…

This feels like a throwback to older comedy action films, similar to what you’d get with Schwarzenegger alongside younger actors. The writing has some clever lines, and it's something the whole family could enjoy together. It isn't revolutionary or destined to become a timeless favorite, but I found it enjoyable enough. Kristen Schawlow as Bobbi was a highlight; her character is not particularly flashy, yet she provi…

“My Spy” is an unusual family film that manages to be better than anticipated, though not by much. The promotional materials didn’t help its cause; the preview was packed with predictable jokes and clumsy physical comedy, but this story of a tough guy paired with a clever child turns out to be more enjoyable than it appears. CIA agent J.J. (Dave Bautista) has been assigned to monitor a bright nine-year-old, Sophie…

STX created a buzz when they decided to sell their film “My SPY” to Amazon, opting for a streaming release instead of waiting for theaters to fully recover and allow films to be profitable again. The movie features Dave Bautista as JJ, a C.I.A. agent. He’s a former Special Forces operative who transitioned to the agency after his military service ended. Following a mission that doesn't go according to plan, JJ’s b…

Given its lengthy delays, My Spy finally arrived in theaters this week, and the numerous postponements often signal problems—studio changes, cast or crew replacements, reshoots, edits, and so on—suggesting a film might not be very good. It’s hard to imagine why a movie would undergo such alterations if it didn't have significant issues. I wasn't anticipating much from what appeared to be a standard action-comedy with…