AFTER a disappointing take as an action hero in the Ang Lee-directed Gemini Man, Hollywood superstar Will Smith ironically redeems himself in the computer-generated animated movie, Spies In Disguise.
Produced by Blue Sky Studios, which is responsible for the successful Ice Age and Rio franchises, this quirky and upbeat flick sees Smith as the overbearingly debonair super spy Lance Sterling.
Working for the elusive government agency, HTUV, the impulsive Lance is its No.1 secret agent with an impeccable track record and an unbending need to work alone.
On the other spectrum of the spy agency is Spider-Man actor Tom Holland as the socially awkward Walter Beckett, who is a genius scientist with a heart of gold.
Working in the gadget department of HTUV, he and the rest of the nerdy tech boffins provide the means for the secret agents to defeat the forces of evil.
But Walter is seen as a weirdo for his unconventional ideas and non-lethal inventions. He dreams of uniting people through love, peace and understanding rather than by fighting fire with even greater fire.
Lance doesn't share this point of view at all and sacks Walter before he can reveal his brilliant “biodynamic concealment” invention to him.
The odd couple trope then comes into play as the secret agent has to reluctantly work with the gifted lab engineer after he is framed for stealing a very deadly weapon that would bring chaos to the free world.
Now the two must dodge a persistent team of internal affairs security personnel led by Marcy Kappel (Rashida Jones) to clear Lance’s name and save the world.
Along the way to get to the bottom of things, the mismatched duo must also survive the machinations of Killian (Ben Mendelsohn), a cybernetic terrorist hell bent on revenge.
Lance's character will go through a severe change in order to blend in and the secret agent will also learn to confront his past and build a warm friendship with Walter.
Without giving away too much, Spies In Disguise is an entertaining and fun movie with a definite oddball side to it.
The animation design, action sequences, comic moments, voice talents and music all serve to make it a worthwhile watch.
Coupled together with positive universal messages and a feel good vibe, as well as heart, it's something that the whole family can enjoy together.
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SPIES IN DISGUISE
Directed by Nick Bruno, Troy Quane
Featuring the voices of Will Smith, Tom Holland, Rashida Jones, Karen Gillan, DJ Khaled
Duration 102 minutes
Rating P13