10) Ricky Gervais Is A Talking Dog (Spy Kids: All The Time In The World In 4D)
Out of fairness, I had to include something on this list from Rodriguez’s action-packed kiddie movies. As a father, Rodriguez wanted to be able to share experiences with his children, and since they weren’t ready for movies like Desperado, the Spy Kids franchise became his gift to them. As a critic, sure, there are certain reservations about recommending such films, but as a child, what’s cooler than being a pint-sized secret agent? In the same way that Rodriguez’s action films are riddled with bullet holes and piles of corpses, the director approached the children’s genre like an imaginative playground with limitless opportunities.
While everything from robots to volcanoes are utilized throughout the Spy Kids franchise, Rodrigeuz’s most genius application of fantastical whimsy came when he enlisted Ricky Gervais to voice a talking dog named Argonaut in Spy Kids: All The Time In The World In 4D. Again, am I recommending the movie? Unless you’re a small child who is easily distracted by any film, the latest Spy Kids romp most likely isn’t for you – but Rodriguez doesn’t care. He doesn’t make movies for critics, and if if he wants to have Ricky Gervais voice a robotic dog, you better believe it’s going to be hilarious.
I respect the hell out of Rodriguez for making movies only with his children in mind, and honoring Argonaut is my “tip of the hat” towards him.
