My Spy The Eternal City

The original “My Spy” from 2020 was a surprisingly amusing romp with a sly, subversive streak that set it apart from the usual family-friendly, action-comedy fare. Dave Bautista and Chloe Coleman had solid chemistry, with Kristen Schaal serving as a wonderfully weird sidekick. And it came out on streaming a few months into the pandemic, so it felt like a welcome diversion during a difficult time. 

Four years later, “My Spy The Eternal City” arrives, and it takes this playful story in a strangely darker direction. It’s hard to tell who this movie is for: It’s too silly for adults, yet way too grown up for kids. The sequel from director Pete Segal, who co-wrote the script this time with returning writers Erich and Jon Hoeber, is more violent and features some shocking sexual humor. I’m no prude, but Schaal’s character makes a joke involving a body part on an Italian statue that left me stunned. No parent wants to have to explain that.