#REVIEW: “SPIES IN DISGUISE”

By Justin Waldman for Mr. Will Wong

First-time Feature Directors Nick Bruno and Troy Quane team-up with Writers Brad Copeland and Lloyd Taylor to deliver some family fun for Christmas in the beautifully-animated, delightfully-funny and wonderfully-voiced Spies In Disguise. The Film is joyful, teaches some valuable lessons about always believing in yourself and turning naysayers into believers, providing a ton of fun for a family outing this Holiday

The Story focuses on our hero Lance Sterling (Will Smith) whom is trying to take down his greatest foe (that the audience gets to see at least) Killian (Ben Mendelsohn) before he brings the world to its knees. However, things go awry for our hero when Internal Affairs agent, Marcy (Rashida Jones) has video proof showing that Lance has gone rogue. Lance then tries to enlist the help of the “resident weirdo” (as Lance himself has called him), Walter Beckett (Tom Holland) so he can track-down Killian and prove that he is innocent. One thing leads to another, and Lance’s arrogance and dismissal of Walter ends up having himself turned into a pigeon and now he must be the world’s greatest spy while at once being the world’s most annoying bird.

What makes Spies in Disguise such a blast is the voice acting from its Ensemble Cast. Holland has this childlike whimsical nature to his voice that we have come to love and adore from the Spider-Man movies. His voice lends itself incredibly well to the Movie, as he explores peaceful ways of taking-down the bad guys and this childlike innocence is perfect. Smith’s gravitas and swagger is the perfect voice for the spy who refuses help, believes he is best on his own, and that he can do no wrong. He is the perfect choice for the character of Lance. Jones as the IA agent determined to get her man, who follows the book but will also do what it takes to get her perpetrator. Mendelsohn who will forever be the villain possessing that perfect tone in his voice for it and general demeanor is great as always, striking fear and genuine evil to his character of Killian.

Moreover, Spies in Disguise is a beautifully-crafted. The entire Film pops with colour, imagination and design bringing together a cohesive story with a marvelous Cast that really brings-out the best in one another to make this one of the surprise sleeper hits of the year. A perfect Holiday treat!

20th Century Fox Canada release SPIES IN DISGUISE in theatres on Christmas Day.