What Do The Critics Say?
"The plot in The Spy Next Door permits Chan to be a romantic lead, an action hero, a father figure and a martial-arts genius, a mix that may not make sense to adults but will no doubt keep smallfry amused. And the eventual confrontation with the villains involves espionage assistance from the three kids Chan is babysitting, a plot development which should prove irresistible to younger viewers. Those old enough to resist can expect to be impressed anyway by the on-screen energy levels of both Chan and Valletta. They make their work look like fun."
Liz Braun JAM! MOVIES
"In "The Spy Next Door," he plays Bob Ho, a Chinese agent on loan to the CIA, investigating a Russian bad guy named Poldark (Icelandic star Magnús Scheving). So it is clever to cast him as a man who is awkward and unsure of himself in any situation that doesn't involve his unique combination of tumbling, gymnastics, martial arts, and defying gravity.
"Nell Minow BELIEFNET
"In this family-friendly comedy, Jackie Chan stars as the retired secret agent. Here, his likeable presence is a major plus, and his target audience will respond to his baddie-bopping agility and not worry about the corny, predictable plot. The movie also gives smartly written roles to its junior cast. while the story is a tongue-in-cheek entertainment that sees Chan's superspy tangle with Russian villains."
Trevor Johnston RADIO TIMES
"Filled with hilarious set ups, impossibly executed stunts plus an engaging central story about family and being loved, this funny action comedy is great entertainment for the whole family. It's not until the outtakes during the closing credits that we have any conception how tricky all the stunts are. Director Brian Levant gets the tone just right and the screenplay is a clever construct in which Chan's character has to win over the three kids, in order to win the girl (Amber Valetta, lovely)."
Louise Keller URBAN CINEFILE
"Filled with slapstick guffaws, dodgy accents and copious pratfalls, Brian Levant’s light-hearted action comedy succeeds because it stays true to what it actually is: a kids’ movie. Filled with slapstick guffaws, dodgy accents and copious pratfalls, Brian Levant’s (The Flintstones) light-hearted action comedy succeeds because it stays true to what it actually is: a kids movie."
Ken McIntyre TOTAL FILMS
"Like Chan, the movie seems to be winking at the audience. That’s not to say the movie isn’t likable. It is, bringing a peppy energy to Bob’s segue from international spy to babysitter. Bookending the movie is the very best of Chan. A modest production, "The Spy Next Door" pilfers clips from earlier in Chan’s career rather than shooting original footage for an opening-credits montage that sets up his character’s career."
Annlee Ellingson MOVING PICTURES MAGAZINE
"This is not one of Jackie Chan's best films, but it's still fun to watch Chan pull out all the stops to entertain us at an age when many actors have stopped trying. This is a Jackie Chan (Shanghai Knights) movie through and through. As usual, he uses everything but the kitchen sink as weapons in his Kung Fu comedy battles with the bad guys."
Betty Jo Tucker REELTALK MOVIE REVIEWS
"Jackie Chan always guarantees a good time with his friendly manner combined with intricate fight stunts inventively choreographed and smoothly executed and this is no exception. This time, it's not quite so serious, though, as he tackles a task even more daunting than bad guys: convincing three youngsters that he deserves to marry their mum, Gillian. It's escapist fun for all the family, and even the baddies manage a few gags; there's nothing too scary, and a few fandangled spy gadgets add to the cool factor."
Andrew L Urban URBAN CINEFILE
The Making Of The Spy Next Door
A bumbling pen salesman, Bob Ho appears to be just as nerdy and boring as his job. But this affable, seemingly harmless man who secretly saves the world on a daily basis as a CIA superspy, is clearly much more than meets the eye. And so is the man who plays him. Modest and unassuming in person, Jackie Chan is a dynamic martial arts powerhouse, an international movie star, a selfless humanitarian, and a performer beloved by thousands of devoted fans around the world. For over twenty years, he was Asia’s biggest box office star before he became internationally known for a long list of Hollywood blockbuster hits. Now, Chan lends his considerable talents to "The Spy Next Door", bringing his idiosyncratic brand of action and comedy to the family film genre. "Jackie Chan is an icon," says producer Bob Simonds ("Happy Gilmore" & "Cheaper by the Dozen"), a Yale graduate with a degree in Philosophy. "He’s an incredible performer and draws audiences worldwide." Chan was instantly attracted to the script and the comic possibilities of Bob Ho’s particular challenge: winning over the distrustful children of the woman he loves. After meeting with Simonds in China he quickly signed on to the project. "The script has a little bit of everything," says Chan. "Action, comedy, romance, adventure: everything." Simonds, one of Hollywoods most prolific and profitable producers believes "This is a great role for Jackie. He does all the stunts typical of a Jackie Chan film, but he also gets to bring out his sensitive side. There are a lot of laughs and heartfelt moments." Chan appreciated the opportunity to try his hand at a family comedy that focuses on his relationship with kids. "I really like to make children laugh. I really enjoy hearing from kids that they like my movies." Once Chan was involved with the project, the film immediately attracted a wide array of talented actors and filmmakers. "Everyone on the film: actors and crew; wanted to work on a Jackie Chan film," executive producer Ira Shuman ("The Wedding Singer" & "Night at the Museum") recalls. "Not only is he a legend, but his good will, generosity, and charm attracted everyone to the project." When it came to tapping a director to helm the project, Simonds turned to a colleague he trusted greatly, Brian Levant, who specializes in family films and had already worked with Simonds on four previous projects. "I knew he would be a perfect fit for this film," says Simonds. "He’s an excellent comedic director and also works extremely well with kids." The moment Levant heard about Chan’s involvement, he enthusiastically committed to the project. "Jackie Chan is a unique talent. He has the ability to do incredible things before your eyes and make it look simple. To him, it is. He is so inventive and energetic. Every day with him is exciting. He knows about comedy as well. He’s someone who lets you be loose and natural, and I think in comedy that helps a lot to try different things." Levant’s enthusiasm was echoed by screenwriter Greg Poirier ("National Treasure: Book of Secrets"), a long-time fan who even pitched a script in the late 1990's specifically for Chan to star in. "Writing for Jackie Chan is a dream come true for me," says Poirier. When it came to filming the production team had to move particularly quickly due to Chan’s limited availability between other commitments. "We only had a few months to prep and cast the rest of the film and then shoot it in 38 days," Shuman revealed. "I thought we were crazy to attempt such a fast schedule," Levant ("Beethoven" & "Snow Dogs") admitted. "But we somehow made it through snowstorms, the flu and injuries and finished the show on schedule!"
With Chan and Levant on board, the remaining cast members were quick to commit to the project. Playing Chan’s partner at the CIA is country star and actor Billy Ray Cyrus (who worked with Naomi Watts on "Mulholland Dr."). "Every time I approach a new film project one of the first things I look at is the script," says Cyrus. "A script is like a hit song. It’s gotta be on the page to make it to the stage, and I loved the script. It reads like a hit." Cyrus was particularly excited to work alongside Chan and witness his talents first-hand. "Jackie’s work ethic is exceptiona. The guy is incredible. He never stops. He does everything perfectly and if it isn’t perfect, he won’t stop until it is perfect. When it’s time to break and move to the next scene, he’s the first guy picking up equipment, helping the crew. I’ve never seen anybody that hands on and so prepared." "We were very excited to be working with Billy Ray Cyrus. I was unfamiliar with his acting and just knew him as a singer. He came across very naturally," says Shuman. George Lopez, the star of the hit sitcom "George Lopez" explains the reason he wanted to do the film: "Two words: Jackie Chan." The filmmakers initially considered casting Lopez in Cyrus’ role, but Lopez’s unique combination of comedy and mystery made him the perfect choice to play Glaze, Bob Ho’s trustworthy boss at the CIA. "Both Billy Ray and George are big stars in their own fields and were very gracious in taking the parts to be involved in this film. Their participation makes the film more accessible to a wide audience," says Shuman. Casting the part of Bob’s love interest, Gillian, was crucial, as the chemistry between them is the reason Bob goes to such lengths to win over her children. "We wanted someone who could play the mother of three children and yet still be a romantic interest for Bob Ho," says Shuman ("The Pink Panther I & 2"). "Amber Valletta fit the bill perfectly." Having a son of her own (Auden McCaw), actress and model Valletta brought all of her knowledge of motherhood to the part of Gillian. "She’s really fun to play," says Valletta ("Hitch"). "I liked this character. It was a nice departure for me. I really wanted to do something light that I could take my son to see." Valletta also enjoyed the opportunity to work with children. "Working with kids is fantastic because you don’t know what they’re going to do. People always say don’t work with children or animals because they’ll always upstage you, but I loved it. They keep you in the moment." Casting the children in the film required finding three young actors, who were equally adept at comedy and drama. For the part of Ferren, Gillian’s who disapproves of her mother’s relationship with Bob, the filmmakers turned to rising star Madeline Carroll. With her recent performance in the Kevin Costner’s "Swing Vote", Carroll had demonstrated she was capable of serious work. But with "The Spy Next Door", Carroll had the opportunity to explore two new genres simultaneously. "In this movie I got to do action, but comedy as well which was really cool." "I think that Madeline Carroll is going to be one of the top actresses of her generation," avows Levant. "She is so interested in the quality of her craft. Everyone was blown away by her." Another surprise to the filmmakers was Will Shadley, who plays Gillian's son Ian. Making his feature debut, Shadley came to set full of energy and enthusiasm every day. "I really like working on films," Shadley exclaimed. "Playing this character I got to unleash my inner geek. I got to use cool spy gear like a belt that turns into a sword. It’s pretty cool, but I don’t think I’d ever want to be a spy in a real life. There are too many bad guys coming after you."
"Will Shadley is quite impressive. He has an incredible ability with dialogue. He is well beyond his years," Shuman notes. Having previously worked on a number of family films, Levant has developed various methods of working with very young actors. But most of his techniques didn’t apply to five yearold Alina Foley, who plays Nora, the youngest of the three siblings. "I’ve worked with a lot of little kids and it’s like pulling teeth," says Levant. "With Alina you just turn the camera and let her go, because you don’t know what’s going to happen with her! She is funny and different and it shows up on screen." Magnus Scheving, the actor who plays Poldark, Bob’s nemesis, will be familiar to many young viewers as the star of the popular "LazyTown" television series. "I’m used to doing a lot of action because of the show I’ve been doing for the past five years," says 2005 Edda Award winner Scheving. "The challenge for me was to go from playing the good guy to playing a villain. It was really difficult for me to change from being really nice to really mean." Hailing from Iceland, Scheving overcame the challenge of speaking English with a Russian accent for his performance. But at times he found it difficult to communicate with Jackie, who speaks mostly Chinese. "There was one fight scene with Jackie where I didn’t really understand if I should go closer or backwards, and I got hit right in the face!" Scheving says with a laugh. While the film is clearly aimed at a family audience, the film still delivers on the action and stunts that fans expect from a Jackie Chan film. In this case, Chan concentrated on turning suburban settings into places with extraordinary potential. "We are doing 'normal' things in this movie in a typical Jackie Chan style," Chan explained. "I like to use the basic things around me for the stunts. The refrigerator, microwave, ashtray. We also wanted to make sure children can see it. I wanted this to be a PG movie." Chan also adapted his stunts to match the character of Bob Ho. "My character is an ordinary spy. He’s not a superhero. I wanted to design the stunts so the audience would believe them." Chan says he continually asked himself during filming, "Can I do this? Can I do that? Will the audience accept it?" Stunt coordinator Bob Brown ("Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen") led a group of his own stunt men while working closely with Jackie Chan’s stunt team, led by Wu Gang. Having worked as both a stunt man and a coordinator for many years, Brown was impressed by Chan’s prowess and pleased with the melding of their two distinct styles. "Besides the fact that Jackie is a gift for any stuntman to work with, getting the east and the west to blend together was the most fun for me." "Jackie has an incredible knowledge for comedy and stunt work. I’ve never worked with anybody like that. He thinks about what would be physically funny," says Valletta ("Transporter 2"). The presence of children on set also modified Chan’s approach to his on-set stunt choreography. "Doing a stunt myself is easy, but when I have to do stunts with children, I have to be very, very careful. I have to make sure they’re very safe, so I prepare for the children. And I have to be very patient. They often don’t listen to you!" All three of the kids got to test out their physical talents with their first attempts at stuntwork. "I loved doing tricks," says Carroll. "It’s fun but the harness is uncomfortable. Jackie makes you feel safe so it’s really cool. The stunt team is great: they do lots of fun tricks with us." "The film wasn’t all hard work," Shuman ("Yours, Mine and Ours") reports. "That’s one of the great parts of being on location: the cast and crew can bond. Jackie would often take the crew out for a family style dinner."
What's The Storyline?
 Bob Ho, is an undercover superspy on loan to the CIA who lives his life away from the job as a Pen Importer. Bob has decided to give up his career in espionage and settle down with his next-door neighbor and girlfriend of three months, Gillian. Bob decides it's time to reveal his real identity and take their relationship to the next level, but work intervenes. With another case wrapped up, Bob has one more mission to complete before Gillian will agree to marry him: winning over her three opinionated kids. When Gillian has to leave town because of a family illness, he volunteers to babysit the children so he can earn their approval. But when her son mistakenly downloads a top-secret formula from his computer, Bob's archenemy, a Russian terrorist, moves in for the attack, forcing Bob to juggle the roles of spy and prospective stepfather in what will be the most challenging mission of his career!
The Verdict
"By now many cinemagoers will have read so many negative reviews on "The Spy Next Door" that they've probably dismissed Jackie Chan's latest film, as not worthy of the slightest consideration, when it comes to a day out at the movies. For families with young children that would be a real tragedy. The problem with so many of the reviews for this film is that the reviewers are stuck in a time warp. Like most of those bemoaning how woeful "The Spy Next Door" is, I too am a huge Chan fan. There's nothing wrong with that. But unlike most of them, I realize Jackie Chan is not the man he used to be twenty to thirty years ago. Sure we all want to see those marvellous skills that thrilled us for years, but get real you turkies! Mr Chan is now 55 years old; has had more injuries than a major trauma road crash victim and admits himself that the remake of "The Karate Kid" (in which he co-stars with Will Smith's 11 year old son Jaden) will be his last action film. He's smart enough to realize that it's finally time to pull up stumps and move on. As for defending his latest effort, "The Spy Next Door", let me point out that over the busy Easter Holiday period, I went to the effort to sit in with audiences on both Easter Friday and Easter Sunday. Both sessions were well patronized and in the main were attended by families with young children. That is the films target audiences. Children aged 4-14 will instantly identify with the youngsters in the film. Parents who attend won't be bored to death either. Sure Mr Chan looks older. Duh .. right! He is old enough to be most childrens Grandpa. But let's face it: what kid wouldn't want him for a Grandpa? The stunts are still fun to watch and having six grandchildren I have to admit (as will most parents), Gillian's youngsters are a reflection of life. Finally, I have to say that my own grandchildren checked out "The Spy Next Door" and they say it was good fun. 'TSND' is certainly worth taking in. 3 STARS."
The Production Team
Director
Screenplay
Story by
Producer
Original Music
Cinematography
Film Editor
Production Design
Art Direction
Set Decoration
Costume Design
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Brian Levant
Jonathan Bernstein/James Greer/Gregory Poirier
Jonathan Bernstein & James Greer
Robert Simonds
David Newman
Dean Cundey
Lawrence Jordan
Stephen J Lineweaver
Bryce Perrin
Carla Curry
Lisa Jensen
Who's Playing Who?
Jackie Chan
Amber Valletta
Madeline Carroll
Will Shadley
Alina Foley
Magnús Scheving
Lucas Till
Billy Ray Cyrus
George Lopez
Katherine Boecher
Mia Stallard
Maverick McWilliams
Quinn Mason
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Bob Ho
Gillian
Farren
Ian
Nora
Poldark
Larry
Colton James
Glaze
Creel
Cute Girl
Chad
Carl
Run Time 94 minutes
Rated PG [AUST]
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