Today’s quick review: Spies in Disguise. Walter Beckett (Tom Holland), a gadget designer for an American spy agency, gets the chance to prove himself when Lance Sterling (Will Smith), the agency’s top spy, is framed as a traitor. But when Walter’s experimental formula turns Lance into a pigeon, the duo must work together to restore Lance to his original body and stop Killian (Ben Mendelsohn), a cyborg villain, from destroying the agency.
Spies in Disguise is an animated family spy comedy that pairs a hyper-competent secret agent with a pacifistic weapons designer. The movie specializes in freewheeling comedy driven by Walter’s nonlethal gadgets, Lance’s spy prowess, and the unfortunate transformation of Lance into a pigeon. Spies in Disguise hits some of the same beats as other animated family adventures, but its world, action, and sense of humor make it a worthwhile watch.
Spies in Disguise shines when it can build up enough momentum. Lance’s lavish introduction sequence, his bickering with Walter, and his improvised tactics as a pigeon are among the movie’s highlights, which show off its cartoonish physics, offbeat gadgets, dynamic choreography, and rapid-fire comedy. Not every scene uses these elements to their fullest, but the ones that do are enough to bring a smile to any viewer who’s on board.
Spies in Disguise is on weaker footing with its themes and its plot. The backbone of the story is typical for the genre: Lance and Walter must learn to work together, while Walter has to prove to the agency that his unconventional methods work. The problem is that there isn’t much else. The movie is missing the softer moments it needs to make its emotional arc work, and Walter does not get the opportunities to grow that Lance does.
The end result is a light, comedic adventure that makes for perfect popcorn entertainment. Spies in Disguise is funny, action-packed, and occasionally clever. Its plot and character work leave something to be desired, especially when compared to the very best the genre has to offer, but the movie succeeds in its primary goal of being entertaining. Give it a shot when you feel like something energetic. Steer clear if you want a masterpiece.
For a live-action spy comedy with similar character dynamics, check out Get Smart. For Will Smith in a comedic spy adventure with a heavier sci-fi emphasis, try the Men in Black series. For an animated family adventure that holds similar appeal, try The Incredibles, Megamind, or Big Hero 6. For a Tom Holland sci-fi adventure with similar plot elements, try Spider-Man: Far from Home.
[6.8 out of 10 on IMDB](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt5814534/). I give it a 7.0 for a fun adventure in a creative world.