'The Spy Next Door' one for the kids

Director: Brian Levant

Cast: Jackie Chan, Amber Valletta, Madeline Carroll, Will Shadley

Cert: PG

When you see Chan’s name above the title you expect a certain kind of film, but here he delivers something outside his comfort zone and brings it home with ease.

It’s a film aimed firmly at a young audience, that it’s just a piece of fun and not to be taken seriously.

Chan plays Bob Ho, a retired CIA agent who takes on the task of looking after girlfriend Valletta’s three children while she has to be out of town.

The kids don’t rate him at all, of course, and they make life miserable and difficult.

One of them finds a secret formula on his PC and an evil Russian terrorist from his past comes bent on revenge and world domination arrives. Chan and clan go on the run to escape their doom.

There’s nothing that raises the film above the mundane but it’s the sort of film kiddies will enjoy.

Star Rating: 3/5