Spy Kids 2: The Island of Lost Dreams (2002)

74% of critics liked it
(132 reviews)
43% of users liked it
(119,332 ratings)

The prepubescent, globetrotting, super-spy sibling duo from director Robert Rodriguez's surprise 2001 hit Spy Kids is back to save the world for a second time in this bigger-budget, larger-scale sequel. Spy Kids 2: Island of Lost Dreams opens with our heroes Carmen and Juni (Alexa Vega and Daryl… More The prepubescent, globetrotting, super-spy sibling duo from director Robert Rodriguez's surprise 2001 hit Spy Kids is back to save the world for a second time in this bigger-budget, larger-scale sequel. Spy Kids 2: Island of Lost Dreams opens with our heroes Carmen and Juni (Alexa Vega and Daryl Sabara), now official OSS agents, in the midst of another crisis situation: They have to reclaim to the powerful Transmooker Device from the clutches of those who might try to use it to permanently disable energy on Earth. Their quest leads them to the tropical lair of Romero (Steve Buscemi), an unhinged scientist who retreated into seclusion after a daring experiment backfired on him -- as well as on a whole breed of mutant creatures. As if finding the Transmooker weren't enough, Carmen and Juni have to contend with another set of mini-spies, Gary and Gerti Giggles (Matt O'Leary and Emily Osment), who are eager to one-up the world's most-respected spy kids. Returning to Spy Kids 2 are parents Antonio Banderas and Carla Gugino, as well as the evil-doers of the first film, Alan Cummings and Tony Shalhoub. ~ Michael Hastings, Rovi

Rating, Runtime: PG, 1 hr. 39 min.
Directed By: Robert Rodriguez
Written By: Robert Rodriguez
Genres: Action & Adventure, Kids & Family, Mystery & Suspense

In Theaters: Aug 7, 2002 Wide
On DVD: Feb 18, 2003
Studio: Dimension Films

Critic Reviews

Christy Lemire, Associated Press
Rodriguez seems to be trying too hard to cram in too much - more gadgets, more characters, more noise, more color. But bigger, brighter and faster isn't necessarily better.
Michael O'Sullivan, Washington Post
Rodriguez seems to have forgotten that making a spectacle is not the same thing as creating a sense of wonder.
Richard Roeper, Ebert & Roeper
I didn't like the first one enough to recommend it. I liked this one even less.
Claudia Puig, USA Today
Given the appeal of his first movie, Rodriguez had a big act to follow. Spy Kids ' progeny, though slightly lacking in the warmth of the first, should no doubt please audiences.
Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times
With Spy Kids 2: The Island of Lost Dreams, the Spy Kids franchise establishes itself as a durable part of the movie landscape: a James Bond series for kids.
Robert Denerstein, Denver Rocky Mountain News
There's enough here to keep the sequel rocking, providing you can leave the adult in you at the door.
R. L. Shaffer, IGN DVD
Spy Kids 2: The Island of Lost Dreams is certainly trippy and inventive, but the film is way too long, a little too flat and not nearly as enjoyable as the original.
Nell Minow, Common Sense Media
An imaginatively joyous adventure.
Jeffrey M. Anderson, Combustible Celluloid
Following up his enormous hit from last year, writer-director Robert Rodriguez does the impossible -- he makes a big Hollywood sequel into a personal pet project.
KJ Doughton, Film Threat
The best example in recent memory of what happens when an independent-minded director is allowed to exercise his talents with the backing and support of a Hollywood support system.
Michael Dequina, TheMovieReport.com
How fitting that the subtitle of this sequel is Island of Lost Dreams, for Rodriguez has let his vivid imagination run even more amok in waking, cinematic life.
Judith Egerton, Courier-Journal (Louisville, KY)
Rodriguez's movie, jammed with gizmos and visual effects, looks more like a bigbudget extravaganza from a Hollywood studio than a relatively modest $40 million movie.
Pablo Villaca, Cinema em Cena
Imaginativo e divertido, explora o talento de seus jovens protagonistas para criar um filme capaz de encantar toda a família.
David Nusair, Reel Film Reviews
...just as enjoyable for adults as it is for kids...
Jeffrey Chen, Window to the Movies
Not quite as charming as the first one.
Nick Rogers, State Journal-Register (Springfield, IL)
The only thing we don't know after watching Spy Kids 2 is whether Robert Rodriguez's constantly churning brain leaves him any time to sleep at night.

Read all 16 critic reviews

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)

Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)

Featured Audience Ratings

Directors C

A marginal improvement on its predecessor but its still lacking any charm and like the first it isn't that exciting
danny d

as good as the first if not slightly better. the monsters were a fun touch, and the furthering of the OSS storyline with the kids division was fun as well. cheesy, but fun to watch with the kids.
Brad W

Spy Kids 2 is a great sequel and a very fun one too, maybe better than the first. The plot was very funa nd kids will love it, but most parents will be bored, but its called Spy kids, not Spy Adults. The characters are the same and just as fun, with even new characters who you… More
Spy Kids 2 is a great sequel and a very fun one too, maybe better than the first. The plot was very funa nd kids will love it, but most parents will be bored, but its called Spy kids, not Spy Adults. The characters are the same and just as fun, with even new characters who you either love or hate. Your kids will fall in love with this stff, because when i was a kid, i sure did, and I still do.
Alexander D

OK
Michael E

a far better sequel compared to the first not saying i hated the first
Richard C

B
Bently L

My least favorite of the Spy Kids films but still acceptable.
Dead A

Man this is for kids. I don't think any adult will like it that much.
KJ P

Almost as good as the first, but the visuals lack in so many parts!
Wahida K

I was never a Spy Kid fan but this part has some Amazin Graphics and all those Creatures, like a flying Pig totally cool and all.
Conner R

I think I enjoyed this a little more than the first because it is so unbelievably bizarre. It's a little bit more of a Robert Rodriguez style than the first and it has a lot of darker humor. However, it still has that really corny kids movie element to it that ruins the… More
I think I enjoyed this a little more than the first because it is so unbelievably bizarre. It's a little bit more of a Robert Rodriguez style than the first and it has a lot of darker humor. However, it still has that really corny kids movie element to it that ruins the enjoyment.
Thomas B

not even in the same league as the first, the island of lost dreams gives way to showing off spy gear and locations instead of making use of an interesting story line like it's predecessor.
Film C

a reli gd film not just for kids but for adults as well its funny and reli gd antonia bandaras is gawjus
Dean M

This pint-sized government spies classy sequel is fantastic and the best one of <i>Spy Kids</i> series. The skeleton warriors remind me from the fantasy classic <i>Jason and the Argonauts</i> that I like it.
Jason S

A little weaker than the last one.
Bradley W

Spy Kids 2 is a great sequel and a very fun one too, maybe better than the first. The plot was very funa nd kids will love it, but most parents will be bored, but its called Spy kids, not Spy Adults. The characters are the same and just as fun, with even new characters who you… More
Spy Kids 2 is a great sequel and a very fun one too, maybe better than the first. The plot was very funa nd kids will love it, but most parents will be bored, but its called Spy kids, not Spy Adults. The characters are the same and just as fun, with even new characters who you either love or hate. Your kids will fall in love with this stff, because when i was a kid, i sure did, and I still do.
Andy S

Good special FX and strong acting are really the only things that keep this movie afloat. The story is merely competent, though really, the main con of this film is that the cool concept is no longer cool or original.
Steven V

Spy kids 2 is at the same level of the original. On this sequel there is more action and more adventure. The humor this movie has is simply great, like the whole movie. Spy kids 2 is a very fun sequel and, like the first part, it gives entertainment for kids and for adults.
Juan C

a funny and fresh sequal that has new and extrivant challanges and visual goods from robert rodriguiez! like the first film, this is a family blast of fun and action. A
Andrew F

Definately really weird; however, it is still a fun movie. It pales compared to its prodecessor, though. Stick around for the credits!