'Spies in Disguise' tries too hard to attract Korean moviegoers

Walter, left, and Lance in a scene from “Spies in Disguise” / Courtesy of Blue Sky Studios

By Kwak Yeon-soo

“Spies in Disguise” tries to convince the audience that violence isn't the answer, but it fails to back up this message due to its lackluster narrative.

The plot involves peerless spy Lance Sterling, voiced by Will Smith, and nerdy young scientist Walter Beckett, voiced by Tom Holland, teaming up to tackle terrorist threats and save the world.

Lance, who originally believes that one “can't save the world with a hug,” later gives in to Walter, who believes that non-lethal gadgets can bring peace and harmony to all. “When we fight fire with fire, we all get burned,” Walter preaches in the movie.

Although the message itself is terrific, the idea seems a bit too innocent. Furthermore, some of the non-violent arsenal consists of a multi-colored pen that can fire ropes to tie up bad guys, biodynamic concealment that can turn a person into a pigeon and an electrical pulse that temporarily turns muscles into a rubbery mass.

There is also a so-called kitty glitter, which utilizes colorful images of cute kittens to steal people's attention, and a gadget called the inflatable hug.

The movie tries too hard to attract Korean moviegoers by inserting scenes where Walter appears obsessed with K-pop music and K-dramas.

“The film embodies K-culture elements including TWICE's song 'Knock Knock,'” a Walt Disney Korea official said.

No malice seems intended, but it is fair to suppose that more care should have been exercised in knotting K-culture elements into the film.

Disappointingly, the K-culture elements are used to exemplify the “weird” personality of Walter, although the movie assures us that there is nothing wrong with being weird.

There are racist overtones to the fact that Japanese Yakuza gangsters are featured comically, beaten up by tough U.S. spies.

Poster for “Spies in Disguise” / Courtesy of Blue Sky Studios

Despite some fallacies, “Spies in Disguise” has a lot of action and projects a vibrant image.

Although images of kitten glitters supplied by Walter may look immature, every scene pops with bright colors.

As the animated-movie is set in a few countries, Japan, Italy and the U.S., the movie features real-life pictures of different locations.

Lance transforming into a pigeon is a cute idea that differentiates this film from many other spy movies. It offers slapstick humor, especially when Lance attracts his flock of fellow birds to save Walter near the end of the story.

Smith and Holland make an amazing duo, as one appears an overly-confident leader and the other is portrayed as a pale-hearted pacifist.

“Spies in Disguise” is set to hit local theaters on Jan. 22.