I Spy (2002)

I Spy is the kind of breezy, old-school buddy caper that knows its best special effect is chemistry: Eddie Murphy’s fast-talking swagger colliding with Owen Wilson’s dry, unflappable charm. Betty Thomas keeps the pace snappy and the vibe playful, letting the espionage trappings—gadgets, glamorous parties, and globe-trotting danger—serve mainly as a runway for jokes and one-liners that land more often than they miss. The action is loud and lively without getting grim, and the movie’s greatest pleasure is watching two mismatched egos slowly figure out how to share the same mission. If you’re looking for a serious spy thriller, this isn’t it, but if you want a light, disposable, surprisingly cozy romp, it’s an easy good time.

I Spy is clearly trying to be a breezy buddy spy-comedy, leaning on Eddie Murphy’s fast-talking swagger and Owen Wilson’s laid-back charm while tossing them into glossy Euro-locale action. The problem is the movie rarely earns its laughs or tension, relying on noisy set pieces and tired one-liners to carry a plot you can predict a mile away. If you’re expecting clever espionage, sharp banter, or anything that feels connected to the TV series beyond the name, this will likely feel like a generic early-2000s studio product on autopilot. Still, if you just want low-stakes, mildly amusing background entertainment with a few competent chases and two likable stars doing their usual thing, you might get by.