‘My Spy The Eternal City’ Review: A Sequel That Misses The Mark
When ‘My Spy’ first hit screens, it barely made a splash, thanks to the COVID lockdowns keeping audiences away from theatres. The film, featuring Dave Bautista in a classic action-star-meets-child-actor scenario, was supposed to be a family-friendly hit, but it didn’t quite hit the mark in 2020. Now, we have ‘My Spy: The Eternal City,’ a sequel that, despite its bigger budget and impressive locations, struggles to deliver.
The story picks up with JJ (Dave Bautista) in a more laid-back role at the CIA, trying to balance his duties with his role as a father figure to Sophie (Chloe Coleman), who’s now a sullen teenager. Their once smooth relationship faces challenges as Sophie becomes more independent. Their dynamic is put to the test when Sophie’s school choir is invited to Italy, giving her a chance to get closer to her crush. Meanwhile, JJ and Sophie must team up to thwart a dangerous nuclear plot targeting the Vatican.
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The sequel boasts a noticeable increase in production value – the locations are grand, the action sequences are more elaborate, and the casting is stellar. Bautista remains a charming presence, blending his usual mix of humour and physicality, and Coleman continues to impress with her performance. Despite these strengths, ‘My Spy: The Eternal City’ feels like a missed opportunity.
For a film with such a premise, it needed to deliver more than just flashy visuals and a bigger budget. The comedy, essential for a film of this genre, falls flat. With a cast including Kristen Schaal, Ken Jeong, Craig Robinson, and a largely unrecognisable Anna Faris, one would expect a wealth of comedic moments. Unfortunately, the humour is scarce and lacks impact, leaving a lot to be desired. Faris, known for her comedic chops, is particularly let down by weak writing and direction.
The core of the film – JJ and Sophie’s evolving relationship – is sweet and has moments of genuine emotional depth. Their eventual reconciliation is touching and might resonate if you enjoyed the first film. However, the film struggles to balance its sentimental elements with its action and comedy. The humour doesn’t mature with Sophie, leaving the jokes feeling out of place.
Director Peter Segal and writers Jon Hoeber and Eric Hoeber seem to have missed an opportunity to cater to an older audience while keeping the essence of the original. The villain’s identity is obvious from the start, the crisis is clichéd, and the stakes never feel genuinely high.
Ultimately, ‘My Spy: The Eternal City’ is a film that might have benefited from leaning more into either its comedic or action elements. Instead, it feels caught between a child-friendly adventure and a more adult-oriented action-comedy. There’s potential for a more mature, teen-centric spin-off, but as it stands, JJ’s continued presence as the lead seems like a missed opportunity.
