My Spy

Directed by Peter Segal, My Spy follows a CIA operative (Dave Bautista’s JJ) as he finds himself falling for the woman (Parisa Fitz-Henley’s Kate) he’s supposed be watching – with complications ensuing after JJ is blackmailed into performing various tasks by said woman’s precocious daughter (Chloe Coleman’s Sophie). Filmmaker Segal, armed with Jon Hoeber and Erich Hoeber’s screenplay, delivers a familiar yet thoroughly watchable comedy that benefits from Bautista’s charming, commanding performance, as the actor offers up compelling work that goes a long way towards cultivating a predominantly affable atmosphere – with the agreeable vibe perpetuated by a top-flight supporting cast that includes Kristen Schaal and Ken Jeong. (The chemistry between Bautista and Coleman’s respective figures remains a key element in the picture’s ultimate success, to be sure.) And while the action-packed climax is perhaps not as satisfying as one might’ve hoped, My Spy otherwise (and for the most part) comes off as a fun piece of work that fares just about as well as its obvious inspiration (1990’s Kindergarten Cop).

*** out of ****