My Spy: The Eternal City is more mature, and more fun, than the first film – which says a lot. Chloe Coleman and Dave Bautista make a great team once again.
The first My Spy film is a whole lot of fun. Chloe Coleman is adorable as Sophie, and gives JJ (played by Dave Bautista), a run for his money. This time, the dynamics have changed. In My Spy: The Eternal City JJ is now teenager Sophie’s stepfather. She has been training since we last saw her, and proves throughout the movie that you do not want to mess with her. At the same time, JJ has become more domesticated. He rarely goes out into the field for the CIA anymore, as he has a family that he loves to think about.
When Sophie’s school choir gets invited to Rome to sing, JJ decides to chaperone the trip to Europe so that they can spend some bonding time together. What follows is an adventure that they never expected to go on, as they must get on the same page to stop a nuclear threat to the Vatican.
Those who have been following Chloe Coleman, already know that she is a star. Besides Dave Bautista, she has graced the screen with Karen Gillan, Adam Driver, Chris Pine, and Michelle Rodriguez. Each time she does she, she learns from the greats and hones her craft. Seeing her in My Spy: The Eternal City proves just how far she has come – and she started out extremely talented.
For Sophie, this sequel brings more stunts, more emotional moments, and a deeper relationship with JJ. As a teenager, she is just trying to get through life – and maybe win over a boy or two along the way. Watching Chloe and Dave together on screen again, it is apparent they formed a true friendship during the first film.
Both look comfortable on screen throughout the movie. They work extremely well together, delivering on both humor and heart. As a parent of a tween and a teen, it is easy to relate to what JJ is going through in this film.
Ken Jeong was memorable as Kim, JJ’s boss, in the first My Spy film, and rightfully so. He is hilarious, an extremely talented actor, and has great on screen chemistry with Dave Bautista. It should come as no surprise to fans that his role is greatly expanded in My Spy: The Eternal City. Jeong is so wonderful at letting himself go and completely immersing himself in his acting roles – which is exactly what he does here.
Kristen Schaal is back as Bobbi, JJ’s partner, and she is as funny as ever. Kristen, Chloe, and Dave have some of the most unforgettable, most hilarious moments, in the movie – especially when Sophie is forced to drive through the streets of Rome.
One of the reasons that My Spy: The Eternal City works so well is because this core group of actors are fantastic together. They give it their all, taking already funny and well written jokes and elevating them with their own comedic twists.
Overall Thoughts
My Spy: The Eternal City is more mature this time around now that Sophie is growing up. The first film was cute and fun, this is a much more wild and crazy adventure. The comedy almost always hits, the story is great, and the action is incredible. There are more stunts, and a better villain this time around – Flula Borg is unforgettable.
It is absolutely lovely to see these characters back together again on screen. Chloe Coleman and Dave Bautista are great leads again, but the supporting cast really ups their game and rounds out the cast perfectly.
My Spy: The Eternal City streams on Prime Video July 18th.
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About My Spy: The Eternal City
Back by popular demand, My Spy’s dynamic duo, veteran CIA operative JJ (Dave Bautista) and his 14-year-old stepdaughter and protégé Sophie (Chloe Coleman), reunite to save the world when a high school choir tour of Italy is interrupted by a nefarious nuclear plot targeting the Vatican.