"Spy Kids 2: Island of Lost Dreams" launches onto the screen with all the energy, invention and gadgetry of the "Spy Kids" plus. This Bond Jr. flick begins with our favorite spy kids as well established "level 2" agents with the authority to order the president around. Bill Paxton's over the top amusement park and the un-scareable president's daughter are sure to give the whole theater a lift. Carmen and Juni find foes in another spy kid brother/sister duo - the Giggles. A very fun sequence, which includes a bit of ballet from the munchkins, lacks some kind of dance-answer from Antonio (you'll have to wait for the ending credits for that).

Opening with a bang, somewhere around some lost Island, the whole picture loses its power and momentum. The lull's hold only barely breaks in time for the wrap.

Rock solid family fun out of the gates, extremely imaginative through out, but wanes in the middle (for us older folks anyway).

Also introduced are Gregorio and Ingrid's parents, (Ricardo Montalban and Holland Taylor). Ingrid starts, "Funny you should mention my parents." Gregorio finishes, "No! No, it's the exact opposite of funny!"

Juni's character shows some inconsistencies -- first he's fearless, then he's afraid of the Island monsters, then he's not -- all without apparent reason. Most of the character conflicts are rather tired. Unfortunately, Steven Buscemi, so wonderfully dark and deep in "Ghostworld," is nearly pointless here. Aside from one line, "Do you think God stays in heaven because He's afraid of what He's created on Earth?" A very good line, and an even more interesting thought.

Stay for the credits, which include the cut Antonio/Carla dance sequence. And a wonderfully produced little music video with Alexa Vega singing and dancing like Britney featuring Daryl Sabara jammin' on crunch rhythm guitar dressed like Angus Young.