Four years on from the light-hearted romp that was 2020's "My Spy", "My Spy The Eternal City" takes an unexpected detour into a darker narrative that becomes a challenging viewing experience. While the first film was a delightful indulgence during a difficult time, the sequel leans into a level of violence and crude humor that seems misplaced in the context of its family-friendly predecessor. Director Pete Segal, alongside writers Erich and Jon Hoeber, appears to struggle with maintaining a consistent tone throughout the film.
The original stars Dave Bautista and Chloe Coleman return, this time navigating a storyline that flip-flops between slapstick humor, more grown-up content, and beautiful scenic shots of Italy. Coleman's character Sophie, now 14, endures physical harm that seems abnormally harsh for a sequel assumed to be targeting an audience similar to its prequel. The film's plotline is confusing, attempting to blend a seemingly innocent school trip to Italy with a subplot involving hidden nuclear weapons, resulting in a narrative that leaves much to be desired.
The love-interest subplot featuring Billy Barratt and Taeho K seems thinly-scripted and underdeveloped, lacking the depth necessary to emotionally invest audiences in the characters' relationships. Kristen Schaal's character, Bobbi, also ventures to Italy to help thwart a destructive plan to annihilate the Vatican, throwing yet another tonal shift into the already disjointed script.
New additions like Anna Faris and Craig Robinson fail to provide any comical relief, their roles rendered insignificant by a pileup of disparate storylines. Amid all the chaos, however, there are still moments when Bautista and Coleman's rapport shines, salvaging fragments of the original's charm. The film ends by hinting at the possibility of understanding the tumultuous teenage phase, a solace for anyone who’s tangled with the erratic moods of adolescence. Nevertheless, "My Spy The Eternal City" feels like an unfortunate deviation from the first film's wit and warmth, leaving a bitter aftertaste.
