Spy Kids 4: All the Time in the World (2011)

Eight years after the events of the third film, *Spy Kids 4: All the Time in the World* (2011) reboots the popular franchise with a new generation of junior operatives. The OSS has ascended to become the world's premier spy agency, but its dedicated "Spy Kids" division has since been decommissioned. When a maniacal villain known as the Timekeeper threatens global destruction, retired super-spy Marissa Cortez Wilson (Jessica Alba) is reluctantly pulled back into the fray. To save the world, Marissa must begrudgingly team up with her estranged stepchildren, Rebecca (Rowan Blanchard) and Cecil (Mason Cook), who initially despise their stepmother. Adding a nostalgic touch, the original Spy Kids, Carmen and Juni Cortez, now grown, offer their support by supplying innovative gadgets to the new recruits. While often polarizing, *Spy Kids 4* undeniably earns its place among Robert Rodriguez's best by embodying the core tenets of his filmmaking philosophy. At its heart, the film champions the unconventional family unit, a recurring theme in much of Rodriguez's work, showcasing how a blended family learns to unite against a common foe. It further exemplifies his signature blend of high-concept action, imaginative gadgets, and a distinct, frenetic visual style that prioritizes fun and boundless creativity over strict realism. Rodriguez's unwavering belief in the power and ingenuity of children to be heroes, a hallmark of the entire *Spy Kids* franchise, is again front and center. Despite its divisive reception, *All the Time in the World* is pure, unadulterated Rodriguez: a playful, family-friendly spectacle that proves even the most outlandish concepts can be delivered with his unique, charmingly DIY auteur stamp.