This comic wish-fulfilment fantasy is the proverbial treat for the whole family. Satirical touches (flying presidential Secret Service limos) and leg-pulls of espionage conventions abound, exemplified by teen spy Carmens explanation of how she knows a particular object is what they seek: Because its big and weird, and in the middle of the room.
Rodriguez devises all the hectic stunts and ingenious gizmos a techie could want, from a robotic nose-picker to jet shoes. He also celebrates the wonder of the imagination, creating in mad scientist Buscemis genetic experiments and the skeletal army guarding a treasure a beautifully executed, cute-scary homage to the wizardry of model animation pioneer Ray Harryhausen, who put the spectacular effects in spiffy Saturday adventures of yesteryear.