Spies in Disguise delayed review

[fardell24]

Spies in Disguise
An animated movie about a superspy who is turned into a pigeon, while on a mission to clear his name. But it is also about a young inventor, Walter, who graduated from MIT at 15 (and who's responsible for the 'turning into a pigeon' thing, but more on that below). First, he's introduced when he's an intelligent (but not weird) child and his mother is about to go to work. This is done rather well. As her speech that she has to go out to help those who need help. The whole sequence was done very well.
Lance Stirling is introduced as a showy super agent. Going in and wrecking a place to get the job done. The sequence in the Yakuza headquarters shows this very well. He is also shown to be quick thinking when the unexpected happens. (Like when one of the gadgets doesn't work as expected. More on that below.) Then in DC, he is shown to be a superstart agent, known to all of his coworkers. However, something is wrong, that Internal Affairs is very concerned about. The weapon he had been sent to obtain, is missing.
That scene was done quite well. However, Lance has to escape from the Headquarters. He does so, showing the same kind of improvisational ability he had shown in Japan. The various reactions the other agents show were well written and directed. That the fact that Stirling's predicament was compartmentalised within the agency was also believable. The reactions of the various agents as he escapes was also done very well. Their shock at realising that their star agent seems to have gone rogue was also well realised.
Then to Wilbur's House. Walter's House. (Given that Lance had called Walter, Wilbur, earlier. Adds to the comedic factor quite well.) Showing Walter at home, running his experiments just adds to his character. The human to pigeon solution being figured out was a cool moment, as was Lance entering the situation. The escape from Walter's house was also done well, especially with the internal affairs agent realising that she had been outwitted. The chase through Washington was done well too.
(Apart from the obvious Audi product placement. Not a new issue. It is prevalent in other Will Smith movies, like I Robot.) Then they go to Mexico, to find the Yakuza kingpin. This entire sequence is as comedic as the previous portions of the film. Walter continuing to try to figure out how to turn Lance human again. Trying to avoid Marcy, Eyes and Ears. The kingpin as human putty seemed a bit on the nose, but the scenes worked. That the internal affairs team were outwitted by Walter and Lance was believable.
They then go to Venice. The scenes here were also well done. Walter encouraging Lance to fly was done well, as was his learning on the 'wing', as it were. The twists and turns as Killian and the HUAT team try to outwit each other were also well done. (Of course, some scenes reminded me of similar scenes in Spider-Man: Far From Home, but probably not much could have been done about that, given that both movies involved Venice, and St. Mark's Square in particular.) The escape in the sub was done well.
What happens in the submarine, stays in the submarine. This scene was done rather well. But the climax with Killian on the island, and his drones attacking the HTUV headquarters was appropriately tense. The personalities of each person shows in their actions at the island. Especially Walter with his 'do no harm' ethos. That Lance would turn back into a pigeon to rescue him was consistent with his development over the film. And the fact that they would be fired afterwards was also realistic.
But, it seems that was just a cover. They are recruited into a different part of HTUV. Definitely a sequel hook. Overall the movie was rather funny, but it told a rather good story. Very satisfying. Quite recommended. 8/10.