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The Spy Next Door
2010 94 min United States of America PG 6+
★4.8
Action, Comedy, Family
Director: Brian Levant
Trailers
Description
Former CIA spy Bob Ho takes on his toughest assignment to date: looking after his girlfriend's three kids, who haven't exactly warmed to their mom's beau. And when one of the youngsters accidentally downloads a top-secret formula, Bob's longtime nemesis, a Russian terrorist, pays a visit to the family.
Budget:
$28M
US Gross:
$24.31M
Worldwide:
$66.17M
Starring
Jackie Chan
Actor
Amber Valletta
Actor
Billy Ray Cyrus
Actor
Awards
Razzie Awards 2011
— Worst Supporting Actor
Key opinion
The Spy Next Door is widely regarded as a generic and derivative family comedy that relies heavily on recycled tropes from the 'nanny-spy' subgenre. While opinions on its entertainment value are sharply polarized, most viewers agree that the film serves as a harmless, lighthearted diversion that leans entirely on Jackie Chan's enduring charisma.
| Screenplay | The screenplay is unoriginal and heavily derivative, essentially mirroring the plot beats of existing films like The Pacifier and Kindergarten Cop. | |
| Originality | The film leans on lazy, outdated clichés, particularly regarding the depiction of Russian villains. | |
| Acting | Jackie Chan remains a charismatic screen presence, though many viewers feel the film fails to utilize his legendary martial arts talents effectively. | |
| Emotion | Opinions on the overall quality are split: some find it a delightful, feel-good family experience, while others dismiss it as a primitive and disappointing misfire. | |
| Direction | The reliance on CGI and stunt doubles marks a decline in the quality of action choreography compared to Chan's earlier, stunt-focused classics. |