My Spy: The Eternal City

Four years after the original My Spy, Dave Bautista and Chloe Coleman return in My Spy: The Eternal City, a sequel that ambitiously attempts to blend family-friendly humor with action-packed sequences, but ultimately finds itself in a tonal quagmire. Directed by Peter Segal and co-written by Segal alongside Erich and Jon Hoeber, the film pushes its predecessors’ boundaries, diving into darker, more mature content that clashes with its attempt to remain a family film. This dissonance makes the movie hard to pin down, seemingly unsure whether to cater to the kids who grew up with the first installment or to their parents seeking more mature entertainment.

The plot follows JJ (Dave Bautista), now settled into a quieter life as a father figure to Sophie (Chloe Coleman), a high school freshman. JJ’s life has taken a domesticated turn; he’s more about baking scones and being a supportive parent figure while Sophie's mother, Kate (Parisa Fitz-Henley), is away on a humanitarian mission. This shift from action hero to doting stepdad is meant to show character growth, but it sometimes feels forced and awkward. When Sophie’s school choir heads to Italy, JJ tags along as a chaperone, hoping his skills can help manage the trip. This setup provides ample opportunities for picturesque scenery and light-hearted moments, but it quickly becomes evident that the film is trying to juggle too many tones and themes.

The narrative veers into chaos when a subplot involving hidden nukes and terrorists unfolds. This convoluted storyline not only pulls Sophie into dangerous situations but also makes it challenging to balance the lighter, comedic elements with the darker, more intense action sequences. Sophie’s attempts to navigate her teenage crush on jock Ryan (Billy Barratt) while dealing with spy missions adds an additional layer of complexity that feels unnecessary and distracting.

One of the film’s primary issues is its inconsistent tone. It shifts abruptly from slapstick comedy to moments of surprisingly brutal violence, creating a jarring viewing experience. Scenes where Chloe Coleman and Schaal’s characters get hit in the face feel unnecessarily harsh, and Schaal’s inappropriate joke about an Italian statue leaves a sour taste, illustrating the film’s struggle to balance its humor with its darker elements. These tonal inconsistencies make it difficult to discern the target audience. The attempt to combine wholesome coming-of-age moments with serious peril and slapstick comedy results in a muddled narrative that fails to fully engage any specific demographic.

Despite these tonal issues, Dave Bautista and Chloe Coleman’s chemistry remains a highlight. Bautista’s comedic timing and Coleman’s poised yet relatable portrayal of Sophie provide some of the film’s more enjoyable moments. Their dynamic captures the frustration and affection inherent in the stepfather-stepdaughter relationship, grounding the film when it threatens to veer off course. Bautista’s transition from a tough CIA operative to a doting father figure adds a layer of depth to his character, even as the script often falls back on cliched dialogue and predictable plot points.

Supporting characters like Schaal’s tech-wiz Bobbi and Jeong’s CIA boss add sporadic humor, but often feel underutilized in a film that juggles too many storylines. Kristen Schaal’s character, who was a standout in the first film, makes several off-color jokes that seem out of place in a film ostensibly aimed at a younger audience. Newcomers Anna Faris and Craig Robinson are similarly wasted, with Faris’s character initially unrecognizable and Robinson relegated to the sidelines until the credits. Their presence fails to elevate the film, which remains bogged down by its convoluted plot and uneven pacing.

The film’s setting is one of its stronger points. Visually, My Spy: The Eternal City benefits from its picturesque Italian locations, offering viewers a travelogue of Venice, Florence, and Rome. These scenic backdrops add a sense of adventure and charm that contrasts sharply with the film’s darker moments. The action sequences, though competently executed, lack the originality and excitement needed to make them memorable. The climax, involving a bomb threat at the Vatican, feels formulaic and rushed, missing the opportunity to create genuine suspense or emotional resonance.

The film’s screenplay tries to tackle too many themes at once, leading to a disjointed narrative. The initial premise of JJ struggling with his role as a stepfather and trying to bond with Sophie is compelling but is quickly overshadowed by the over-the-top action and espionage elements. This results in character arcs that feel underdeveloped and plot points that seem to serve the action rather than the story. Sophie’s character, now a teenager, is written with the typical angst and rebellion of adolescence, but her development feels stunted by the constant shifts between family drama and spy thriller.

One of the more problematic aspects of the film is its handling of humor. The first My Spy balanced humor and action with a light touch, making it accessible to a broad audience. In The Eternal City, the humor often feels forced and out of place. Jokes about body parts and adult themes may alienate younger viewers, while older audiences might find the slapstick comedy and juvenile humor off-putting. This lack of a clear comedic direction contributes to the overall uneven tone of the film.

The action scenes, while visually engaging, often feel gratuitous. The film tries to ramp up the stakes with high-intensity sequences and elaborate set pieces, but these moments often lack emotional weight. For example, a scene where Sophie is stalked through a field of sunflowers at gunpoint is immediately followed by a romantic sunset, creating a tonal whiplash that undermines the tension. These abrupt transitions make it difficult for the audience to invest in the characters' plights or the outcome of the action.

Dave Bautista’s performance as JJ continues to showcase his ability to blend action with comedy, but the character’s arc feels repetitive and lacks the freshness of the first film. His interactions with Sophie, while heartfelt, do not have the same impact when overshadowed by the chaotic plot. Chloe Coleman’s portrayal of Sophie, while strong, is hindered by a script that does not allow her character to grow beyond the typical teenage tropes.

My Spy: The Eternal City is a film that struggles to find its identity. It tries to cater to both the fans of the original and a more mature audience, but in doing so, it loses the charm and coherence that made the first film enjoyable. The movie’s attempts to blend different genres result in a disjointed narrative that fails to deliver a satisfying experience. While Bautista and Coleman’s performances provide some redeeming moments, they are not enough to overcome the film’s fundamental flaws. This sequel might appeal to die-hard fans of the original, but it falls short of delivering a compelling or coherent cinematic experience.

My Spy: The Eternal City
Directed by Pete Segal
Written by Erich Hoeber, Jon Hoeber, Pete Segal
Based on Characters created by Jon Hoeber, Erich Hoeber
Produced by Chris Bender, Pete Segal, Jake Weiner, Robert Simonds, Gigi Pritzker, Dave Bautista, Jonathan Meisner
Starring  Dave Bautista, Chloe Coleman, Kristen Schaal, Flula Borg, Craig Robinson, Anna Faris, Ken Jeong
Cinematography : Larry Blanford
Edited by Jason Gourson
Music by Sean Segal
Production companies : STXfilms, Madison Wells Studios, Good Fear, Callahan Filmworks, Dogbone Entertainment
Distributed by Amazon MGM Studios
Release date : July 18, 2024 (France, United States)
Running time : 113 minutes

Viewed on July 1, 2024 (screener press)

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