My Spy
review by Bobby Blakey
I love that Dave Bautista continues to take on diverse roles across the board including Man With The Iron Fists, Blade Runner 2049, Stuber and most notably Drax in the Marvel Cinematic Universe to name a few. His list goes on and on, but I love that despite being a hulking man that can no doubt kick ass is his willingness to poke fun of himself to bring the laughs. His latest film My Spy teams him up with Get Smart and Grudge Match director Peter Segal looks to bring the action and laughs, but does it deliver or will it fail to complete its mission?
My Spy follows a hardened CIA operative finds himself at the mercy of a precocious 9-year-old girl, having been sent undercover to surveil her family. It’s no secret that this film has had a rough go on the release front as it kept getting shuffled around and of course the pandemic did it no favors. I was so happy to see that it was finally getting its release via Amazon so we could finally get in on what I hope to be a fun new action comedy. What we got was a mixed bag, but one that worked more than it didn’t.
The story is pretty simple and familiar as there have been films like this before no doubt. It reminded me on some level of Kindergarten Cop which is not a bad thing. Most of these team up big actions stars with kids just don’t work, but then there are ones like that and this that do. Its formula that relies more on the cast and chemistry than really the overall story since it is a pretty by the numbers format. Thankfully it has all the tropes needed to work and bring the fun and even some decent action.
Bautista is the perfect person for this role as he not only fits the persona action star to perfection, but he has some great comedic timing. He has a subtle and sometimes dry delivery that works for this sort of character without it coming off as forced. Mixed with his imposing stature it works all the better thanks to his willingness to poke fun at himself. I have always been a fan, but with each performance I love this guy more as an actor and cannot wait to see what he does in the future. His chemistry with the young Chloe Coleman is perfection with their interactions the highlight of the film. She holds her own alongside him and brings the needed heart to the whole thing.
Bautista and Coleman were the obvious most important element for this film to work, but the addition of the always hilarious Kristen Schaal makes all the more enjoyable. She is the perfect mismatched partner for Bautista and they bounce off each other with fun results. If I did have an issue with the films as a whole is the afore mentioned clichéd elements of it all. This is not overly surprising in this sort of film, but you always hope for something more. This is a formula that works so not overly surprised, but with this team hoped we might get some new twists and turns.
The action is fun, the laughs are there and Bautista once again shows he can bring the laughs with the action. While this film might not work for everyone but it is a great action comedy for the whole family that deserves checking out.