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Poster for The Spy Next Door

The Spy Next Door

Part spy. Part babysitter. All hero.

2010 · 1h 34m · PG Action, Comedy, Family
Directed by Brian Levant

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Overview

Former CIA spy Bob Ho takes on his toughest assignment to date: looking after his girlfriend's three kids, who haven't exactly warmed to their mom's beau. And when one of the youngsters accidentally downloads a top-secret formula, Bob's longtime nemesis, a Russian terrorist, pays a visit to the family.

Director and cast

Critics on Rotten Tomatoes

Top critics, in their words

All reviews
12%
Tomatometer
Rotten

Even the outtakes barely raise a smile.

Cath Clarke, Time Out
Rotten

At some point, the social mores that functionally banned most other forms of ethnic stereotyping will catch up with the Slavs, a sad day indeed for middling screenwriters.

Amy Biancolli, Houston Chronicle
Rotten

Chan's comedic gifts and still-nimble moves are wasted in a string of unimaginative household calamities and practical jokes.

Jennie Punter, Globe and Mail
Rotten

As for Mr. Chan, he has some passably choreographed bits with folding chairs, a bicycle and, later, some pots and pans at Gillian's house. But it's hardly enough to redeem -- or even make bearable -- this half-hearted hodgepodge.

A.O. Scott, New York Times
Rotten

The script -- which took three people to write -- is barely coherent, and it's unclear whether Brian Levant was even on set when he directed. All that's left for us to enjoy are the action scenes, and frankly most of those are a little depressing.

Elizabeth Weitzman, New York Daily News

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