The espionage film genre has been done to death, and yet, another attempt to bring a new spin to the table has arrived in the form of “My Spy: The Eternal City”. This kiddie caper, directed by Petersen Vandel, promises to bring a fresh take on the spy genre, but unfortunately, it falls short of delivering anything particularly remarkable.

The film follows the story of a disillusioned spy, JJ (Dave Bautista), who is forced to go undercover as a suburban dad to protect a precocious 12-year-old girl named Sophie (Chasiten Christian) who has inadvertently stumbled upon a top-secret plot. The two form an unlikely bond, but it’s not long before they find themselves in a world of espionage chaos.

The problem with “My Spy: The Eternal City” is that it’s a film that feels like we’ve seen it all before. From the clichéd “fish out of water” scenario, to the predictable plot twists and turns, it’s a story that’s been done to death. The film’s attempt to bring a modern spin to the spy genre falls flat, as it relies on tired tropes and ignores the opportunity to innovate.

Dave Bautista is the best thing about this film, bringing his natural charm and charisma to the role of JJ. He has a natural rapport with his co-star Chasiten Christian, and the two have a believable chemistry that makes their bond work. However, even Bautista’s efforts can’t elevate the film’s uninspired script.

The film’s tone is all over the place, veering wildly from silly humor to serious action sequences. It’s a jarring experience, and it’s hard to reconcile the film’s attempts to be both a family-friendly comedy and a high-stakes spy thriller.

The film’s visuals are also a letdown, with a lack of creativity and a reliance on CGI that makes the action scenes feel cheesy and unconvincing. The film’s score is forgettable, with a bland and unremarkable soundtrack that fails to add any depth or emotion to the scenes.

Overall, “My Spy: The Eternal City” is a disappointing and uninspired film that feels like a rehashing of better spy movies. While Dave Bautista’s efforts are admirable, the film’s lack of creativity and originality makes it a hard sell. It’s a film that’s too generic to fly, and it’s a shame that it didn’t take a more risk to try to stand out in a crowded genre.