{"id":5278,"date":"2019-12-24T07:29:24","date_gmt":"2019-12-24T14:29:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.kidsfirst.org\/kidsfirstnews\/?p=5278"},"modified":"2019-12-24T09:30:13","modified_gmt":"2019-12-24T16:30:13","slug":"spies-in-disguise","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.kidsfirst.org\/kidsfirstnews\/2019\/spies-in-disguise\/","title":{"rendered":"Spies in Disguise * Mimicking Slick Spy Films With Lots of Comedic Effects"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"alignleft size-medium is-resized\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.kidsfirst.org\/kidsfirstnews\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/SPIES-IN-DISGUISE-Poster-Art.jpg?resize=152%2C225&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-5279\" width=\"152\" height=\"225\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.kidsfirst.org\/kidsfirstnews\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/SPIES-IN-DISGUISE-Poster-Art.jpg?resize=203%2C300&amp;ssl=1 203w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.kidsfirst.org\/kidsfirstnews\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/SPIES-IN-DISGUISE-Poster-Art.jpg?w=500&amp;ssl=1 500w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 152px) 100vw, 152px\" \/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>Super spy Lance Sterling (Will Smith) and scientist Walter Beckett (Tom Holland) are almost exact opposites. Lance is smooth, suave and debonair. Walter is&#8230;not. But when events take an unexpected turn, this unlikely duo is forced to team up for the ultimate mission that will require an almost impossible disguise &#8211; transforming Lance into the brave, fierce, majestic&#8230;pigeon. Walter and Lance suddenly have to work as a team, or the whole world is in peril. KIDS FIRST! Film Critic Sahiba K. comments, \u201c<em>Spies in Disguise <\/em>is a slick spy film that mirrors James Bond, but at the same time sticks to its own authenticity. Several of the scenes are adopted from action and spy movies like <em>Skyfall<\/em>, but I was impressed by the way that they are altered for comedic effect. Despite its silliness at times, <em>Spies in Disguise<\/em> manages to be entertaining with a perfect blend of emotions.\u201d Mia G. adds, \u201cEven though Smith\u2019s performance is hilarious as always, Holland steals the show as the voice of Walter.\u00a0 He brings warmth to the film much like he does with his rendition of <em>Spider Man<\/em>.\u00a0 Walter is the heart of the movie. He teachers Sterling valuable lessons about how to care about others, work as a team, and make the world a better place.\u00a0 Holland\u2019s endearing and lovable voice-over brings the movie together. Instead of it just being a funny action film, the movie becomes a funny, <em>sweet<\/em> action film.\u201d See their full reviews below.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Spies in Disguise<br>By Sahiba Kaur, KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, Age 17<\/p>\n\n\n\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" width=\"560\" height=\"315\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/ZVCSdQXxrYg\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n\n\n\n<p><em>Spies in Disguise <\/em>is a slick spy film that\nmirrors James Bond, but at the same time sticks to its own authenticity.\nSeveral of the scenes are adopted from action and spy movies like <em>Skyfall<\/em>, but I was impressed by the way\nthat they are altered for comedic effect. Despite its silliness at times, <em>Spies in Disguise<\/em> manages to be\nentertaining with a perfect blend of emotions. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"alignright size-medium is-resized\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.kidsfirst.org\/kidsfirstnews\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/spies-in-disguise-dom-300_367_184_2K_UniversalColor_WB_rgb.jpg?resize=225%2C95&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-5281\" width=\"225\" height=\"95\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.kidsfirst.org\/kidsfirstnews\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/spies-in-disguise-dom-300_367_184_2K_UniversalColor_WB_rgb.jpg?resize=300%2C126&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.kidsfirst.org\/kidsfirstnews\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/spies-in-disguise-dom-300_367_184_2K_UniversalColor_WB_rgb.jpg?resize=1024%2C429&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.kidsfirst.org\/kidsfirstnews\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/spies-in-disguise-dom-300_367_184_2K_UniversalColor_WB_rgb.jpg?resize=768%2C322&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.kidsfirst.org\/kidsfirstnews\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/spies-in-disguise-dom-300_367_184_2K_UniversalColor_WB_rgb.jpg?w=1500&amp;ssl=1 1500w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 225px) 100vw, 225px\" \/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>The\nstory follows the typical conundrum of a framed spy trying to redeem his image.\nLance Sterling (Will Smith) is a #1 spy who is beloved by his agency, but when\na mission goes terribly wrong, he finds himself the agency\u2019s most wanted\ncriminal. With help from a tech specialist Walter Beckett (Tom Holland),\nSterling learns valuable lessons through his journey for redemption.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The\nanimation and the screenplay are key to making this story intriguing. For\ninstance, every spy film has a car chase and so does this one. Yet, this car\nchase involves a pigeon controlling the getaway car. It is one of the funniest\nscenes and, since the animation has a realistic look, the chase is exciting and\nimaginative, yet not too absurd. Additionally there is impeccable attention to\ndetail. In the same chaotic car scene, there is a slow motion scene where a\ncalculator in the car is tossed upside down to reveal the numbers turning into\nthe word \u201chelp.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"alignleft size-medium is-resized\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.kidsfirst.org\/kidsfirstnews\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/spies-in-disguise-dom-Spies-In-Disguise-still-2_rgb.jpg?resize=225%2C95&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-5285\" width=\"225\" height=\"95\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.kidsfirst.org\/kidsfirstnews\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/spies-in-disguise-dom-Spies-In-Disguise-still-2_rgb.jpg?resize=300%2C126&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.kidsfirst.org\/kidsfirstnews\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/spies-in-disguise-dom-Spies-In-Disguise-still-2_rgb.jpg?resize=1024%2C429&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.kidsfirst.org\/kidsfirstnews\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/spies-in-disguise-dom-Spies-In-Disguise-still-2_rgb.jpg?resize=768%2C322&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.kidsfirst.org\/kidsfirstnews\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/spies-in-disguise-dom-Spies-In-Disguise-still-2_rgb.jpg?w=1500&amp;ssl=1 1500w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 225px) 100vw, 225px\" \/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>My\nfavorite part about this film is what makes it unique: its message. Walter\nBeckett is a kind, nerdy individual who teaches his friend, Sterling, that\nevery fight does not need to be fought with violence because we are all just\npeople who make mistakes. This theme makes the film lovable and differentiates\nit from any other spy film. Furthermore, the film does not take itself too\nseriously which actually strengthens the comedy. I found myself giggling most\nwhen the film exaggerates the cliches that are so typical to spy films such as\nthe car chases, trips to exotic places and the slow motion action. Another\nmessage of <em>Spies in Disguise <\/em>is that\nyou do not have to do everything alone. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>I give<em> Spies in Disguise <\/em>4 out of 5 stars and\nrecommend it for ages 6 to 18, plus adults. Please check out <em>Spies in Disguise<\/em> for a fun adventure when\nit opens in theatres on Christmas Day, December 25, 2019.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Spies\nin Disguise<br>\nBy Mia Gonzalez, KIDS First! Film Critic, age 9<\/p>\n\n\n\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" width=\"560\" height=\"315\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/lgqpbOIEkbs\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n\n\n\n<p><em>Spies in Disguise <\/em>is a fun-filled, action movie\nthat\u2019s not just for the birds! It stars two of the most currently popular and\ntalented actors, Will Smith and Tom Holland, who entertain us from beginning to\nend.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"alignright size-medium is-resized\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.kidsfirst.org\/kidsfirstnews\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/spies-in-disguise-dom-Spies-In-Disguise-still-1_rgb.jpg?resize=225%2C95&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-5284\" width=\"225\" height=\"95\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.kidsfirst.org\/kidsfirstnews\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/spies-in-disguise-dom-Spies-In-Disguise-still-1_rgb.jpg?resize=300%2C126&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.kidsfirst.org\/kidsfirstnews\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/spies-in-disguise-dom-Spies-In-Disguise-still-1_rgb.jpg?resize=1024%2C429&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.kidsfirst.org\/kidsfirstnews\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/spies-in-disguise-dom-Spies-In-Disguise-still-1_rgb.jpg?resize=768%2C322&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.kidsfirst.org\/kidsfirstnews\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/spies-in-disguise-dom-Spies-In-Disguise-still-1_rgb.jpg?w=1500&amp;ssl=1 1500w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 225px) 100vw, 225px\" \/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>The\nanimated movie begins with a little bit of background about Walter Beckett, Tom\nHolland\u2019s character, and Agent Lance Sterling, Will Smith\u2019s character.&nbsp; Walter Beckett grows up alone and often\nisolated, despite being a genius and inventor for the C.I.A. He struggles to\nmake friends and is often referred to as \u201cweird.\u201d&nbsp; Agent Sterling thinks he has it all, as the\nbest and most respected C.I.A. agent, but he does not work well with others and\ndoes not know how to be part of a team.&nbsp; He\ndoesn\u2019t even bother remembering his coworkers\u2019 names! The two unlikely friends pair\nup out of necessity and eventually realize how much they need each other.&nbsp; <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>During\nthe movie, Agent Sterling becomes a pigeon, which is of course, hilarious!\nSmith\u2019s voice-over of Agent Sterling is perfect. He brings his usual suave, debonair\nqualities that we often see Smith portray in many of his movies. During his\ntime as a pigeon, his outrageous comedic chops brings the theater to\nlaughter.&nbsp; Smith is truly an entertainer.\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"alignleft size-medium is-resized\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.kidsfirst.org\/kidsfirstnews\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/spies-in-disguise-dom-publ_100_340_94_4K_UniversalColor_WB_rgb.jpg?resize=225%2C95&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-5283\" width=\"225\" height=\"95\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.kidsfirst.org\/kidsfirstnews\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/spies-in-disguise-dom-publ_100_340_94_4K_UniversalColor_WB_rgb.jpg?resize=300%2C126&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.kidsfirst.org\/kidsfirstnews\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/spies-in-disguise-dom-publ_100_340_94_4K_UniversalColor_WB_rgb.jpg?resize=1024%2C429&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.kidsfirst.org\/kidsfirstnews\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/spies-in-disguise-dom-publ_100_340_94_4K_UniversalColor_WB_rgb.jpg?resize=768%2C322&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.kidsfirst.org\/kidsfirstnews\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/spies-in-disguise-dom-publ_100_340_94_4K_UniversalColor_WB_rgb.jpg?w=1500&amp;ssl=1 1500w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 225px) 100vw, 225px\" \/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>Even\nthough Smith\u2019s performance is hilarious as always, Holland steals the show as the\nvoice of Walter.&nbsp; He brings warmth to the\nfilm much like he does with his rendition of <em>Spider Man<\/em>.&nbsp; Walter is the\nheart of the movie. He teachers Sterling valuable lessons about how to care\nabout others, work as a team, and make the world a better place.&nbsp; Holland\u2019s endearing and lovable voice-over\nbrings the movie together. Instead of it just being a funny action film, the\nmovie becomes a funny, <em>sweet<\/em> action\nfilm. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The\nmessage of the film is that you can defeat all by working together as a\nteam.&nbsp; Agent Sterling becomes a better\nagent and person when he allows Walter to help him, and he learns how to\neffectively defeat the enemy without violence. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>I\nrate this film 4 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 4-18.&nbsp; Adults will love it as well.&nbsp; The family friendly film opens in theaters on\nDecember 25, 2019.&nbsp; <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Super spy Lance Sterling (Will Smith) and scientist Walter Beckett (Tom Holland) are almost exact opposites. Lance is smooth, suave and debonair. Walter is&#8230;not. But when events take an unexpected turn, this unlikely duo is forced to team up for the ultimate mission that will require an almost impossible disguise &#8211; transforming Lance into the brave, fierce, majestic&#8230;pigeon. Walter and Lance suddenly have to work as a team, or the whole world is in peril. KIDS FIRST! Film Critic Sahiba K. comments, \u201cSpies in Disguise is a slick spy film that mirrors James Bond, but at the same time sticks to its own authenticity. Several of the scenes are adopted from action and spy movies like Skyfall, but I was impressed by the way that they are altered for comedic effect. Despite its silliness at times, Spies in Disguise manages to be entertaining with a perfect blend of emotions.\u201d Mia G. adds, \u201cEven though Smith\u2019s performance is hilarious as always, Holland steals the show as the voice of Walter.  He brings warmth to the film much like he does with his rendition of Spider Man.  Walter is the heart of the movie. He teachers Sterling valuable lessons about how to care about others, work as a team, and make the world a better place.  Holland\u2019s endearing and lovable voice-over brings the movie together. Instead of it just being a funny action film, the movie becomes a funny, sweet action film.\u201d <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":13,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[15],"tags":[675,22,157,1198,1207,1203,636,1201,1200,1204,924,1197,1202,1205,1199,1196,393,1206,1195],"class_list":["post-5278","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-feature-film-reviews","tag-675","tag-animation","tag-ben-mendelsohn","tag-disguise","tag-family","tag-karen-gillan","tag-movie","tag-rachel-brosnahan","tag-rashida-jones","tag-reba-mcentire","tag-spies","tag-spies-in-disguise","tag-spies-in-disguise-movie","tag-spies-in-disguise-official-trailer","tag-spies-in-disguise-trailer","tag-spies-in-disguise-trailer-2019","tag-tom-holland","tag-wendy-beckett","tag-will-smith"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/paS5I2-1n8","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.kidsfirst.org\/kidsfirstnews\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5278","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.kidsfirst.org\/kidsfirstnews\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.kidsfirst.org\/kidsfirstnews\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.kidsfirst.org\/kidsfirstnews\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/13"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.kidsfirst.org\/kidsfirstnews\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=5278"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.kidsfirst.org\/kidsfirstnews\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5278\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":5286,"href":"https:\/\/www.kidsfirst.org\/kidsfirstnews\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5278\/revisions\/5286"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.kidsfirst.org\/kidsfirstnews\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=5278"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.kidsfirst.org\/kidsfirstnews\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=5278"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.kidsfirst.org\/kidsfirstnews\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=5278"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}