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Spymate
Spymate
Spymate
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Spymate
Directed byRobert Vince
Written byCalvin Hansen
Screenplay byAnna McRoberts
Anne Vince
Robert Vince
Story byAnna McRoberts
Anne Vince
Produced byAnna McRoberts
Robert Vince
StarringEmma Roberts
Chris Potter
Richard Kind
and Louie
CinematographyMike Southon
Music byBrahm Wenger
Production
company
Distributed byThinkFilm[1]
Les Films Séville[1]
Release date
  • February 24, 2006 (2006-02-24)
Running time
84 minutes
CountryCanada
LanguageEnglish

Spymate is a 2006 Canadian adventure comedy film directed by Robert Vince, written by Calvin Hansen, and starring Emma Roberts and Chris Potter. It was released to Canadian theatres on February 24, 2006, and on DVD in North America on April 11, 2006.[2] This was one of the last films featuring Pat Morita, and was released three months after his death.

Plot

[edit]

Minkey, a super-spy primate, rescues his partner Mike Muggins from Middle Eastern terrorists. Their secretary, Edith, commends them on being the two best spies in the business, but Mike informs her that he is going to retire to be with his wife and daughter. The movie flashes forward 10 years. Mike's wife had died, and his daughter, Amelia, is a child prodigy, having invented a revolutionary oxygen iodide laser drill. Amelia is about to receive the National Scientific Achievement Award from the world's leading scientists, Dr. Robert Farley and Dr. Claudette Amour. Mike tells her how proud he is, and reminds her that Minkey is in town, now the star of a circus show. Mike offers to take Amelia to Minkey's show, but Amelia laughs it off, remembering those "silly stories" he used to tell her about life as a spy.

As Amelia leaves for school, Hugo, a henchman, follows her and takes pictures of her. Amelia receives the National Scientific Achievement Award, although Dr. Amour is unable to be there. As she and Mike leave, Dr. Farley videotapes Mike with a pen-camcorder. The next day, Dr. Farley shows up in a black limousine and kidnaps Amelia, telling her that her father has a surprise for her. He has a manipulated video of Mike confirming this, and Amelia happily goes with Dr. Farley. Dr Farley takes her to Japan, explaining that it is a "top-secret government program." He has built a full-scale model of Amelia's drill, but it is not working properly; Amelia begins working on it. Meanwhile, Hugo delivers a package to Mike—it's a video of Dr. Farley, who promises not to hurt Amelia as long as Mike does not contact the authorities. Mike springs into action, contacting Edith and Minkey, persuading them to come out of retirement to help him save Amelia. Minkey's new friends from the circus are enlisted as spies; while Mike and Minkey fly to Jamaica to find Dr. Amour, Edith brings the performers up to speed on the project.

Apparently, Minkey was genetically enhanced and specially trained as a part of operation SPYMATE, but when the Russians moved in on the project, Mike was ordered to terminate Minkey. After Minkey exhibited formidable martial arts skills against KGB agents, Mike requested him as a partner. Meanwhile, Mike and Minkey find Dr. Amour, who tells them that Dr. Farley plans to use Amelia's drill to cut through the Earth's crust in a Japanese volcano and harness the heat energy of the Earth's core. However, according to Dr. Amour's calculation, the energy will cause a massive earthquake that could wipe Japan off the map. Dr. Amour agrees to take Mike and Minkey to Dr. Farley's drill site. Meanwhile, Amelia is becoming suspicious of Dr. Farley. She tries to escape, but is captured and held prisoner. Meanwhile, Mike, Minkey, and Dr. Amour parachute into the drill site.

Dr. Amour and Mike are captured, but Minkey escapes with the help of a Japanese ninja sensei, who "has been awaiting him." The sensei and his students tell Minkey how to breach Dr. Farley's lab and promise their help. Dr. Farley threatens to kill Mike and Dr. Amour if Amelia does not fix the drill. Amelia reluctantly tells him to put an elastic band around the drill to dampen the sympathetic resonance. Dr. Farley begins drilling into the earth and tells Hugo to kill Mike and Dr. Amour. As Mike and Dr. Amour are escorted out, Minkey ambushes Hugo. Mike fights off the other guards while Dr. Amour and Minkey run to the drill chamber. Dr. Amour distracts Dr. Farley while Mike and Minkey take out the guards in the drill chamber and rescue Amelia. More guards pour in, but Minkey's ninja friends drop out of the ceiling. Dr. Amour and Amelia stop the drill, but this causes it to explode. Mike, Minkey, Dr. Amour, and Amelia barely escape the exploding lab. Outside, Amelia exclaims to Mike that he really is a spy. Minkey receives a call from the president requesting his services in a "delicate matter" and snowboards away to more adventures. This would, however, be the last entry in the franchise, leaving Minkey's further adventures unclear and leaving the series on a cliffhanger.

Cast

[edit]

Reception

[edit]

Rotten Tomatoes reported a 17% approval rating with an average score of 3.08/10 based on 17 reviews.[3]

Ron Yamauchi of The Georgia Straight said, "This is a serviceable enough plot... There's just enough gloss and location work to [the film] to make it a reasonable diversion for the wee. Older viewers might feel underwhelmed by the insufficiently violent explosions and vehicle stunts."[4] Maria Llull of Common Sense Media gave the film a rating of two out of five stars, and described the film as, "both predictable and confusing at the same time." She also said, "Kids may like [the film], and though it's no cinematic feat, at least the violence isn't gratuitous."[5]

References

[edit]
[edit]
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Spymate

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
Spymate is a Canadian adventure directed by Robert Vince. The story centers on Minkey, a highly trained superspy, who reunites with his former partner, secret agent Mike Muggins, to rescue Mike's young genius daughter Amelia after she is kidnapped by the villainous Dr. Robert Farley, who seeks to exploit her invention for a dangerous superweapon. Written by Robert Vince and Anna McRoberts, the film features a runtime of 81 minutes and is rated PG for mild action and violence. The principal cast includes Chris Potter as Mike Muggins, Emma Roberts as Amelia Muggins, Richard Kind as Dr. Robert Farley, and Louie as the chimpanzee Minkey, with supporting roles by Pat Morita, Musetta Vander, and Barry Bostwick. Produced by Keystone Family Pictures and SpyChimp Productions, Spymate premiered in on February 24, 2006, and was filmed primarily in , . The film received mixed reviews from critics, earning a 17% approval rating on based on six reviews, while audiences gave it a 39% score.

Story and characters

Plot

Amelia Muggins, the 12-year-old daughter of retired secret agent Mike Muggins, demonstrates her prodigious inventive talents by creating a Oxygen-Iodide Drill, a device capable of cutting through nearly any material. This invention wins her a prestigious award and the attention of renowned Dr. Robert Farley, who invites her to his laboratory under the pretense of collaboration. Unbeknownst to Amelia, Farley is an evil mastermind intent on scaling up her drill into a massive superweapon to bore into the and harness unlimited , a plan that risks triggering catastrophic earthquakes. When Amelia travels to for the demonstration, Farley kidnaps her, forcing her to refine the device while holding her captive in his fortified lair. Mike, now an ordinary insurance salesman leading a quiet life, discovers his daughter's abduction through a and urgently reunites with his former partner, Minkey, a highly trained spy who has been relegated to performing as a in a circus. Flashbacks depict Minkey's rigorous spy training at The Agency, including prowess and handling, which once made the duo an unbeatable team against threats like agents during Mike's active years. Reinstated by The Agency and outfitted with high-tech espionage tools, Mike and Minkey embark on a global mission, first tracking leads in where they encounter Dr. Claudette Amour, Farley's estranged colleague. Amour, having split from Farley over ethical concerns, joins as an ally, providing crucial intelligence on his operations and warning of the superweapon's potential to devastate . The rescue operation unfolds with intense action sequences, including a thrilling chase in where Minkey deploys a and improvised weapons to outmaneuver Farley's Hugo Dulton on a , culminating in Dulton's comedic plunge into a . In , Minkey utilizes spy gadgets like a jetpack and snowball launchers to dispatch guards, while Amelia cleverly sabotages equipment using spare parts from her inventions to stage partial escapes. Farley employs advanced to impersonate Mike via holographic video calls, attempting to manipulate Amelia into completing the weapon. These impersonation tactics heighten the tension, forcing Mike to prove his identity through personal details only a father would know. In the climax, Mike, Minkey, Amour, and Amelia converge in Farley's underground facility for a chaotic confrontation, where Minkey's agility and martial skills overpower guards, with assistance from Mike's former handler Kiro (Pat ) and his ninja trainees, and Amelia activates a to overload the superweapon. The team destroys the drill prototype in a explosive finale, averting the geothermal catastrophe and defeating Farley, who is subdued and arrested. With the threat eliminated, Mike, Amelia, and Minkey reunite as a family, embracing their unconventional bond while Minkey returns to a more heroic role.

Cast

The principal cast of Spymate features Chris Potter as the retired spy agent Mike Muggins and as his inventive teenage daughter Amelia Muggins. The central role of Minkey, the titular spy primate, is portrayed by the chimpanzee . Key supporting performers include as the villainous scientist Dr. Robert Farley, as Kiro Sensei, Mike's former handler, and as Edith, Amelia's guardian. Additional notable roles are played by as the U.S. President, as the spy ally Dr. Claudette Amour, as the agency contact Hughes, and as the henchman Hugo. Spymate marked one of Pat Morita's final film appearances; he died on November 24, 2005, of natural causes, several months prior to the film's release. The following table lists the main credited cast members and their roles:
ActorRole
Chris PotterMike Muggins
Emma RobertsAmelia Muggins
Richard KindDr. Robert Farley
Pat MoritaKiro Sensei
LouieMinkey
Musetta VanderDr. Claudette Amour
Michael Bailey SmithHugo
Debra Jo RuppEdith
Barry BostwickThe President
Jay BrazeauHughes / Ringmaster
Troy YorkeLightning
Mark AchesonRocco
Kathryn KirkpatrickBetty
Several minor roles, such as mansion guards and additional spies, are filled by actors including Phil Hanley, Chris Burns, and Stephen Chang. No major uncredited appearances are noted in production credits.

Production

Development

Spymate's screenplay was written by Anna McRoberts, Anne Vince, and Robert Vince, based on a story by Anna McRoberts and Ed McRoberts, drawing on tropes of family-friendly animal adventures to craft a story centered on a chimpanzee engaging in espionage antics. The film was directed by Robert Vince, a filmmaker known for his work on animal-centric children's movies, including the Air Bud series and its 2005 spin-off MVP: Most Valuable Primate, which similarly featured primate protagonists in sports scenarios. Production was handled by Anna McRoberts and Robert Vince under SpyChimp Productions and Keystone Family Pictures, with participation from Téléfilm Canada, marking it as part of the Air Bud Presents direct-to-video universe that emphasized lighthearted tales with animal leads transitioning into spy and adventure genres. Development occurred in the early , with principal production taking place in before a delayed release. Key creative decisions focused on blending spy with humor to appeal to a , utilizing practical animal effects rather than extensive CGI to keep costs low in this tight-budget project. A notable choice was casting in the supporting role of Kiro, a mentor figure who trains the protagonist in , leveraging Morita's established screen presence from roles like in films; this was among his final projects before his death in 2005. The production briefly considered rising child star for the lead, aligning with the film's youthful tone.

Filming

Principal photography for Spymate took place primarily in , , , during 2003. The production utilized a mix of urban locations for spy agency sequences, studio spaces for laboratory interiors, and outdoor areas to simulate foreign lairs, including specific sites like 1075 West Georgia Street. The chimpanzee character Minkey was brought to life through multiple animal performers trained by specialists from the company Goin' Ape, with key trainers including Greg Lille. To ensure animal safety, the production employed edited sequences combining live action with careful staging to depict the chimp's spy antics, such as use and chases, without endangering the performers. Filming presented challenges in synchronizing high-energy action with live animals, requiring patient coordination from the animal handlers and crew. The film's limited budget further emphasized practical stunts over heavy , contributing to a grounded, low-fi approach in dynamic scenes. Additionally, all of Pat Morita's scenes as Kiro were completed during the 2003 shoot, well before his death from on November 24, 2005, resulting in a posthumous release for his role when the movie premiered in 2006. Key crew members included cinematographer Mike Southon, who captured the film's vibrant visuals, and editor Kelly Herron, who assembled the fast-paced narrative from the animal-centric footage.

Release

Theatrical release

Spymate had its earliest known screening in the United Arab Emirates on October 5, 2005. The film's limited theatrical premiere occurred in on February 24, 2006, where it received a PG rating for some mild action violence. The international rollout continued with a release in on January 14, 2006, followed by the on July 14, 2006, and on September 4, 2006. There was no wide theatrical release in the United States, as the film was primarily positioned for direct-to-video distribution in starting April 11, 2006. Marketing efforts targeted family audiences by highlighting the comedic antics of the spy character, Minkey, through trailers that showcased humorous spy-themed adventures. Produced by Air Bud Entertainment, the promotion leveraged the established branding from the series to appeal to pet enthusiasts and fans of lighthearted animal-led stories. The Canadian theatrical run was brief, reflecting the film's overall focus on markets rather than extended cinema exhibition.

Home media

The North American DVD premiere of Spymate occurred on April 11, 2006, distributed by Walt Disney Home Entertainment. The standard DVD release featured a 1.78:1 transfer, 5.1 audio in English and French, and English and French subtitles, with a suggested retail price of $26.99. Special features were limited but included a 7:10 featurette titled "How'd That Monkey Do That?", focusing on the animal training and performance aspects of the film. No Blu-ray edition has been released. Internationally, the DVD followed the limited theatrical rollout, with releases in the United Kingdom on July 14, 2006, and in Japan on July 28, 2006, through local distributors. These editions maintained similar formatting to the North American version, targeting family audiences in those markets. As of November 2025, Spymate is available for digital streaming and purchase on platforms including Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, and Fandango at Home, with rental options starting at $3.99 (availability may vary by region). It is also accessible for free on ad-supported services like Fawesome TV and has been bundled in digital collections with other animal-themed family films from the Air Bud series, such as in the "Family Adventures" set. The initial DVD marketing emphasized its appeal to family viewers, often paired with similar lighthearted animal adventure titles to boost sales in the home entertainment market.

Reception

Critical response

Spymate received generally negative reviews from critics, who often highlighted its predictable plot, low production values, and juvenile humor as major shortcomings, though some noted its mild appeal as family-friendly entertainment and praised ' performance. The film holds a 17% approval rating on , based on six reviews, with the consensus describing it as "derivative." On IMDb, it has an average user rating of 4.0 out of 10 from over 1,500 votes, reflecting similar sentiments of disappointment among audiences. Critics frequently pointed to the film's dated animal effects and simplistic storytelling, with David Nusair of Reel Film Reviews calling it "a tedious and thoroughly puerile ordeal" and awarding it 1 out of 4 stars. Similarly, a review in Jam! Movies described it as "an enterprise so inept that it harkens back to the bad-old-days of dentist-film-producers looking for tax writeoffs," rating it 0.5 out of 5 stars and noting its connection to the director's prior chimp films like MVP: Most Valuable Primate. Positive aspects were limited, but 7M Pictures acknowledged the chimp's charm, stating that "your tolerance for Spymate is going to be directly related to your tolerance for animal tricks," with a score of 2 out of 5. Reviews often compared it unfavorably to the Air Bud series, viewing Spymate as a weaker entry in the animal adventure genre due to its inferior execution. Common Sense Media gave the film 2 out of 5 stars, recommending it for ages 8 and up, and critiqued its predictable and confusing narrative alongside one-dimensional characters, while praising its light, goofy tone that avoids gratuitous violence and dark themes. The review noted some creepy elements but emphasized its suitability for young children, with the chimp's antics providing occasional fun despite the overall flat acting.

Commercial performance

Spymate experienced limited commercial success at the , earning a total of $46,007 worldwide, entirely from its international release in the . The film had a theatrical rollout in on February 24, 2006, but due to its placement on a minimal number of screens, it generated no significant gross in or the , with major tracking services reporting zero domestic earnings. Positioned primarily as direct-to-video content, Spymate was released on DVD in North America on April 11, 2006, through Buena Vista Home Entertainment, Disney's home video distribution arm at the time. This home media strategy allowed the film to target the family audience in the animal adventure genre, similar to other low-budget productions like the Air Bud sequels from the same director and production company, though specific sales figures remain unavailable in public records.

References

  1. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0367088/
  2. https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/spymate_2006
  3. https://www.netflix.com/title/70045838
  4. https://www.themoviedb.org/movie/26266-spymate/cast?language=en-US
  5. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0367088/fullcredits/
  6. https://www.filmaffinity.com/en/film580369.html
  7. https://www.moriareviews.com/sciencefiction/spymate-2006.htm
  8. https://www.tribute.ca/movies/spymate/12805/
  9. https://www.commonsensemedia.org/movie-reviews/spymate
  10. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0367088/plotsummary/
  11. https://www.straight.com/movies/movies/spymate-2006-02-23
  12. https://www.miramax.com/movie/Spymate/
  13. https://www.tvguide.com/movies/spymate/cast/2000007029/
  14. https://variety.com/2005/scene/markets-festivals/pat-morita-dies-1117933584/
  15. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0367088/releaseinfo/
  16. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0367088/companycredits/
  17. https://www.fandango.com/spymate-95694/movie-reviews
  18. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0367088/locations/
  19. https://m.imdb.com/search/title/?locations=1075%2520West%2520Georgia%2520Street%2540%2540%2540%2520Vancouver%2540%2540%2540%2520British%2520Columbia%2540%2540%2540%2520Canada&ref_=ttloc_loc_3
  20. https://shotonwhat.com/o/78229/mike-southon
  21. https://www.boxofficemojo.com/title/tt0367088/credits/?ref_=bo_tt_tab
  22. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0367088/parentalguide/
  23. https://letterboxd.com/film/spymate/
  24. https://dvdizzy.com/dvdroundup-april2006.html
  25. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mzen5oHQlOI
  26. https://dubdb.fandom.com/wiki/Spymate
  27. https://www.cdjapan.co.jp/product/ASBY-3451
  28. https://www.justwatch.com/us/movie/spymate
  29. https://www.amazon.com/Family-Adventures-Pepper-Horse-Spymate/dp/B005CFC0BK
  30. https://fawesome.tv/movies/10513051/spymate
  31. https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/spymate_2006/reviews
  32. https://www.boxofficemojo.com/title/tt0367088/
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