This is one of the best features to be showcased during the Wonderful World of Disney series during the 1980's. Many familiar faces from the 80's are cast to make this a fun time capsule of a movie. Veteran actors from 80's landmark films like Porky's and Back to the Future, as well as many young faces in the cast would move onto popular series such as the Wonder Years and Full House. The addition of legendary actor Mickey Rooney seals the deal in making Little Spies a Disney classic from the 80's. The opening scene grabs the young audience into a heartfelt story about a boy and his dog. The young cast is perfectly assembled to add to the story of youth and innocence. The boy's friends, little sister, first crush and neighborhood bullies are all present. The additions of the club house element with the neighborhood hermit who they say lives in a haunted house only adds to the stories innocence. The coming of age drama is complete with moments that include one's first fight and first kiss. As the group of friends work together to fight the odds, the story turns into a PG rated Rambo as the club house turn into a band of renegade military type posse to help rescue the dog. The movie has so much to offer any audience of young boys who loves their pet dog so much that they would go to war for them. Little Spies is a fun ride with many great moments.
6 Reviews
Everything a preteen could ask for in a movie
admmck8116 August 2005
Warning: Spoilers
I was not even 5 years old when this movie came out, and I loved it. I saw it each time it came on TV in the 80's. If anyone has a copy of this I would love to get a hold of it, I have been searching forever! Up until today I had been searching for quotes I remember, then I got the key that helped me find it on this wonderful site. As soon as I saw the title, I knew I found my pot o' gold at the end of the rainbow. unfortunately, nobody seems to have it, in any form of media. Still looking... If my memory serves me correctly, this is the story of a bunch of 12 year olds on a mission to rescue one's adopted dog from the evil kennel master. They have all the typical character types, the frail nerd/science geek, the fat kid, a token minority ( who was one of my favorites with his toy helicopter), the brave leader type, and of course the evil adult intent on spoiling their summer. Of course, there's an enemy gang that is always after the nerds to beat them up, and often does. I was obsessed for the longest time trying to recreate those smoke screen canisters used to blind the cameras, made out of little film canisters. and the costumes, with the exception of the superman outfit, i found to be very cool, but then again, it was the 80s, and I was very young, even younger than the stars. It is also one of the first appearances by Candice Cameron, pre Full House. another great production that graced the Magical World of Disney Sunday night specials!
One of my favorites when I was a kid
AllMT314 September 2003
You know the drill: A group of neighborhood kids rescue their dog from the clutches of the evil Kennel Master and the local street gang.
My two cents worth: This movie reminds me a lot of The Goonies; group of diverse 1980's kids working together to take down the ring of bad guys. I'm guessing that the movie will have the most appeal if you see it for the first time when you're about the same age or younger than the characters (12 or 13).
Part of the attraction was watching the kids plan and execute the kennel break in, using only the limited resources that a kid would have access to (kind of subversive, for Disney). The scenes with the town Hermit as their trainer/mentor were a nice touch, along with the pure evilness of the Kennel Master.
Like Mr. Boogedy and many of the other Disney Channel movies from the same time period, these have never been released on tape. I don't even think they re-air them anymore, which is unfortunate, since I'm sure there are other people out there who remember them as fondly as I do (and my copy-of-a-copy is looking pretty shabby).
Recommendations: Other good live action Disney? "Flight of the Navigator", for sure (though copies are pretty hard to come by), "Honey, I shrunk the kids" (which Disney channel's been re-airing recently), and "Three Musketeers" are some of my favorites. I'd also recommend Hocus Pocus (though it's not to everyone's taste).
My two cents worth: This movie reminds me a lot of The Goonies; group of diverse 1980's kids working together to take down the ring of bad guys. I'm guessing that the movie will have the most appeal if you see it for the first time when you're about the same age or younger than the characters (12 or 13).
Part of the attraction was watching the kids plan and execute the kennel break in, using only the limited resources that a kid would have access to (kind of subversive, for Disney). The scenes with the town Hermit as their trainer/mentor were a nice touch, along with the pure evilness of the Kennel Master.
Like Mr. Boogedy and many of the other Disney Channel movies from the same time period, these have never been released on tape. I don't even think they re-air them anymore, which is unfortunate, since I'm sure there are other people out there who remember them as fondly as I do (and my copy-of-a-copy is looking pretty shabby).
Recommendations: Other good live action Disney? "Flight of the Navigator", for sure (though copies are pretty hard to come by), "Honey, I shrunk the kids" (which Disney channel's been re-airing recently), and "Three Musketeers" are some of my favorites. I'd also recommend Hocus Pocus (though it's not to everyone's taste).
Great Classic
moskeito11 November 2008
Hey, This VHS is one of those all-time favourites. It is a Disney Classic and very rare to find. It took me ages to find an original copy of the video in order for me to revive my childhood memories, but after a long timer searching I now own an original on VHS. However, I have now seen it over and over again and don't mind sharing the joy I had found with someone else who may be interested in purchasing my VH. I am willing to accepted offers :)
Just be sure that this is a rare thing to come across, and I am also sure that once you purchase the VHS, you will surely find another sale afterwards.
"moskeito@gmail.com"
Just be sure that this is a rare thing to come across, and I am also sure that once you purchase the VHS, you will surely find another sale afterwards.
"moskeito@gmail.com"
little spies and BRAT patrol
uxo23 January 2003
You can imagine how much I liked this two films more than 5 years ago when I tell you I am having an exam tomorrow and I am still here searching for a VHS copy of them! (if you have one, contact me above) anyway, I just wanted to comment this film. I have great memories of it. I think I spent a lot of time playing spies after watching it. It's a pity that there is noone killed, so children today won't like it but it was a great film
Decent Children's Action/Drama.
bamptonj8 December 2001
While I wouldn't rate this up there with "Flight of the Navigator", or "Tommy The Tricker" as must-see-movies-for-under-12-year-olds, LITTLE SPIES is certainly a tasty treat.
It's got all the 80s stereotypes covered: the fat kid, the skateboarder/physical type, the science nerd/electronics wizard, and the opposing street-gang. But most importantly, it has a certain meddlesome group of alturistic adults who pose a threat to the carefree approaching summer by impounding their dog. The kids may have to go out on a raid...
See this if you liked "B.R.A.T. Patrol".
It's got all the 80s stereotypes covered: the fat kid, the skateboarder/physical type, the science nerd/electronics wizard, and the opposing street-gang. But most importantly, it has a certain meddlesome group of alturistic adults who pose a threat to the carefree approaching summer by impounding their dog. The kids may have to go out on a raid...
See this if you liked "B.R.A.T. Patrol".
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