Film Review: "Spies in Disguise" (2019).

"Super Spy. Super Fly." This is Spies in Disguise. This computer-animated spy comedy film directed by Troy Quane and Nick Bruno, in their feature directorial debuts, adapted by Brad Copeland and Lloyd Taylor, loosely based on the 2009 animated short Pigeon: Impossible by Lucas Martell, and produced by Blue Sky Studios. Super spy Lance Sterling and scientist Walter Beckett are almost exact opposites. Lance is smooth, suave and debonair. Walter is not. But what Walter lacks in social skills he makes up for in smarts and invention, creating the awesome gadgets Lance uses on his epic missions. But when events take an unexpected turn, Walter and Lance suddenly have to rely on each other in a whole new way. And if this odd couple can't learn to work as a team, the whole world is in peril.

In early October 2017, it was announced that development was underway on a film based on the animated short Pigeon: Impossible (2009), with Will Smith and Tom Holland set to voice the lead characters. In early June 2018, it was reported that Theodore Shapiro was set to compose the film's score. By September 2019, Rashida Jones, Ben Mendelsohn, Reba McEntire, Rachel Brosnahan, Karen Gillan, DJ Khaled, Masi Oka, and Carla Jimenez were added to the voice cast. The film's original release date was January 18th, 2019, but was then pushed back to April 19th. It got pushed back again to September 13th. And it got pushed back once more to Christmas day on December 25th.

The film stars the voice talents of Smith, Holland, Jones, Mendelsohn, McEntire, Brosnahan, Gillan, Khaled, Oka, and Jimenez. Solid performances were given by the cast, especially from Smith and Holland, despite the cliched humour associated with an ensemble and film of this nature.

Spies in Disguise's colourful update on a classic tale and genre doesn't go anywhere unexpected, but its themes – and Smith's engaging voice work – make for family-friendly fun. Sometimes enough with the dark and gritty approach. What is needed sometimes is this film, a different kind of spy who is about as light-hearted and humorous as he is suave and cool. A cool-looking spy that goes on a mission of fun and adventure in this unique adaptation of the 2009 animated short. Though the film is inoffensive fun, but unlike its cinematic predecessors, it is unlikely to stand the test of time. With a lovely voice performance from Smith, the spirit does shine through. But the rest of the story filler is mostly forgettable. Unlike the animated short, the film earns the arena’s cheers for not the action, but the crowd’s sense of surprise will elude audiences attending the film. It’s no Missing Link, but Ferdinand, a CG-animated spy caper about a suave spy and geeky scientist, manages to squeak by with enough charming set-pieces and amusing sight gags to compensate for a stalling storyline. The film may lack the all-out charm offensive of the studio’s Ice Age vehicle, but it’s not too far off in terms of quality and sweetness.

Simon says Spies in Disguise receives:

Also, see my review for Ferdinand.