Family & Kids

In this reteaming of actor Antonio Banderas and director Robert Rodriguez -- their first film together since the 1995 feature Desperado -- Banderas plays Gregorio; he and devoted partner Ingrid (Carla Gugino), comprise the greatest pair of secret agents working. Both are masters of disguise and have the ability to prevent wars, but eventually they want to settle down and begin raising a family. Nine years later, after retiring and giving up the lives of super-spies, Gregorio and Ingrid find themselves at the call of duty again when techno-genius Fegan Floop (Alan Cumming) and his insidious, ruthless sidekick Minion (Tony Shalhoub) have plans for world destruction. The only hope for Gregorio and Ingrid are their children, Carmen (Alexa Vega) and Juni (Daryl Sabara), who are called upon to save their missing parents, eventually learning their former identities. The film also features Cheech Marin, Robert Patrick, and Danny Trejo. In the summer of 2001, five months after Spy Kids had become a major box office success, an expanded edition was released, featuring several minutes of footage not used in the film's original cuts (including special effects sequences that couldn't be completed within the film's original budget). ~ Jason Clark, All Movie Guide

The first American theatrically released 3-D movie from a major studio since 1991's Freddy's Dead: The Final Nightmare, Spy Kids 3-D: Game Over is the third entry in three years in Robert Rodriguez's family-oriented action-adventure series. Along with the four members of the Cortez family, played by Antonio Banderas, Carla Gugino, Alexa Vega, and Daryl Sabara, most of the characters from the first two films have returned, including Fegan Floop (Alan Cumming), Romero (Steve Buscemi), Machete (Danny Trejo), Dinky Winks (Bill Paxton), and Donnagon (Mike Judge). This time around, Carmen (Vega) is kidnapped by the evil Toymaker (Sylvester Stallone) and imprisoned inside a virtual-reality game. It's then up to Juni (Sabara) to venture into the game and save his sister from the villain's clutches. The film's three-dimensional segments take place inside the game. Also starring Salma Hayek, Spy Kids 3-D: Game Over is actually the first of two 2003 films directed by Rodriguez that complete a trilogy, the other being Once Upon a Time in Mexico, the third installment in the El Mariachi saga. ~ Matthew Tobey, All Movie Guide

This feature from Spain follows an orphan who's made to impersonate the missing son of his father figure's landlord in order for the two to escape eviction. ~ Jeremy Wheeler, All Movie Guide

A young girl trapped in a strange land attempts to find her way back home with a little help from a group of strange new friends in an animated tale of friendship, adventure, and family. Transported to the unfamiliar surroundings of the city garbage dump after chasing her favorite toy into the trash can, frightened child Alicia soon strikes up a warm friendship with a friendly toaster and a brave detective who goes by the curious name of Glup. Though Alicia's newfound friends would like nothing more than to help the lost little girl find her way back to her mother and father, the evil Don Bater is constantly trying to lure Glup, the toaster, and the other restless inhabitants of the junkyard into the destructive fires of the raging incinerator. Despite his nefarious nature, Don Bater isn't the sharpest knife in the drawer, though, and if Alicia can help her new pals outsmart the wicked watchman, she may finally be able to escape her smelly surroundings and once again experience all the warm comforts of home. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide

The biblical story Jesus, el Nino Dios offers a look at the birth of Christ from the point of view of the wisemen who followed a star to bring the baby gifts. They encounter King Herod who is consumed with jealousy in regard to the newly born Prince of Peace. ~ Perry Seibert, All Movie Guide

The greatest hits of beloved Spanish-language children's folk musician Cri Cri (AKA Francisco Gabilondo Soler) are collected together in this compilation from Sony BMG Music Entertainment. Cri Cri: Las Numero 1 includes "Gato De Barrio," "Ratoncitos Paseadores," "Los Ratones Bomberos," and several others. ~ Matthew Tobey, All Movie Guide

The kids will be dancing when mom and dad bring home this fun and catchy concert from Alegrijes y Rebujos. Featuring such popular hits as "Tu Rey Leon," "Aleluya," and the perennial classic "Feliz Navidad," the upbeat tunes are sure to have the small frys' toes tapping as they sing along. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide

Brought to us by Monterey Media, this color video is the bridge that spans the gap between entertainment and education. Led by Paco the Chihuahua and the Perez family, this instructional cartoon is an introduction to Spanish for children aged four to nine. Follow their antics on a typical day, which includes a tour of a rural farm where they meet and name all the animals, followed by a little shopping, and then it's time to eat in a local restaurant. After a brief siesta, the gang completes the adventure with a trip to Monkey Island. The tape runs 55 minutes and includes a word study guide.

~ C. Dwayne Smith, All Movie Guide