Spy x Family Code: White is a great addition to the franchise, but works perfectly as a stand alone film / introduction to the characters.
Spy x Family fans are likely over the moon at the release of the new film, Spy x Family Code: White, but they aren’t the only ones who should be excited. For those who know nothing about the series, have no fear, this serves as a great introduction to Loir, Yor, Anya, and Bond.
My daughters are massive fans of Spy x Family, but admittedly, I have only watched the pilot episode with them. Life got busy and they decided that they wanted to continue watching without me. It has quickly become one of their favorites, but I do not know a lot about it. This concerned me going in to Spy x Family Code: White, but it turns out, having minimal to no knowledge about this fake family is perfectly fine.
This film is more or less a stand alone. It takes the time to explain the characters to you, while delivering an entertaining, action packed, and fun adventure story. Yor suspects Loid of cheating, Anya is being tracked down because she accidentally swallowed something, and Bond, well, he is just along for the ride. What follows is a lot of sillly drama, but entertaining drama none the less.
As I said above, my daughter loves this series. She is eleven years old and she like her humor on the silly side. The fact that there is a whole vision about the God of Poo in this film, yes, you read that right, just solidifies how silly this movie is. Undoubtedly younger viewers will find this hilarious. Me? I couldn’t help but roll my eyes. That being said, there are some relatable and entertaining moments sprinkled throughout the film.
The whole storyline about Yor thinking that Loid is cheating on her is not only funny, but absolutely relatable. Anyone who gets in their head about their relationship, or worries that their significant other’s friend is not just a friend, this is for you. Of course, things are pretty predictable in the way they turn out, but it is an enjoyable watch.
When it comes to the action sequences, there are some great moments. Yor kicks so much butt. Seriously. She is a role model in my daughter’s eyes and after watching Spy x Family Code: White, I am not mad at it. She might be emotional times, but she certainly gets the job done when she needs to.
Due to the “bad guys” being soldiers, this film really gives off war / cold war vibes. This isn’t necessarily a bad thing, it just feels uninspired and overly familiar at times. The film clocks in at just under two hours and moves by very quickly. It is almost too quickly paced at times, but this is surely because it is keeping its younger viewers in mind, wanting to not give them even a moment to be bored.
All of that being said, this movie inspired me to go back and watch the series. I have fallen in love with these characters, and the drama surrounding the will they / won’t they vibes they constantly give off. Bond is adorable and Anya is a spitfire!
Rating: 3.5 out of 5
NEXT: Suzume Review: A Magical and Emotional Journey
About Spy x Family Code: White
He’s a spy. She’s an assassin. Together, Loid and Yor keep their double lives to themselves while pretending to be the perfect family. However, their adopted daughter Anya, a telepath, knows both of their exciting secrets unbeknownst to them.
While under the guise of taking his family on a weekend winter getaway, Loid’s attempt to make progress on his current mission Operation Strix proves difficult when Anya mistakenly gets involved and triggers events that threaten world peace!
Spy x Family Code: White hits theaters on April 19th.
Tessa Smith is a Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer-approved Film and TV Critic. She is also a Freelance Writer. Tessa has been in the Entertainment writing business for ten years and is a member of several Critics Associations including the Critics Choice Association and the Greater Western New York Film Critics Association.