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“I Spy” Starring Eddie Murphy and Owen Wilson Columbia Tristar Pictures

What “I Spy” lacks in plot and originality, it makes up with genuine laughs and the great comedic duo of Eddie Murphy and Owen Wilson. “I Spy” is a watered-down mixture of “Austin Powers” and “James Bond” in terms of its action and humor. Eddie Murphy gives a strong performance as the fast-talking, obnoxious and hilarious World Boxing Champion Kelly Robinson. And Murphy has finally found a worthy sidekick in Wilson as the two share moments that seem like pure stand-up comedy material. The problem is, the actors were obviously forced to work very hard to create this chemistry, as they were surrounded by a not even mildly interesting plot, or any cool supporting spy gadgets or stunts. Owen Wilson, known for his comedic quirkiness in movies such as “The Royal Tenenbaums,” superbly complements Murphy’s we’ve-seen-this-before Axel Foley schtick. The supporting actors really fail to rise to that level. Famke Janssen, aka Dr. Jean Grey from “X-Men,” does what she can with a poorly developed character, which is very little, in this PG-13 flick. Also mundane is the role of the arch-villain, played by Malcolm McDowell, known for his spooky abilities as the narrator in Stanley Kubrick’s “A Clockwork Orange.” Altogether, the movie is a wonderful example of how Eddie Murphy and Owen Wilson can keep the audience entertained while the people behind the camera have their backs turned. -Mark Zabezhinsky

“The Santa Clause 2” Starring Tim Allen and Judge Reinhold Walt Disney Pictures

The sweeping opening shots of “The Santa Clause 2” pan over the elf village under the North Pole’s surface, introducing a merry snow-filled city constantly in a state of last-minute Christmas production. Sliding from rooftop to rooftop, the display pays an unintentional tribute to a computer generated imagery version of the Peter Pan ride at Disneyland, eliminating any doubt that the rest of the movie on the screen will be a Disney product. And like “Peter Pan,” “The Santa Clause 2” follows directly on the path of childhood storytelling for which Disney is known. Magic abounds on screen; Santa (Tim Allen) even has a magic-meter on his watch as he tries to find a wife to fill the “Mrs. Clause” of the Santa contract. Talking animals tell jokes – the reindeer communicate in some form of simplified Elvish. A clear antagonist exists; an evil, cloned version of Santa convinces himself every child is bad and closes down all toy production, causing a major work-stoppage among the elves.  Still, “The Santa Clause 2” cannot compare to the Disney family classics. Where the classics thrive on meshing childish and parental humor together, “The Santa Clause 2” drives a sharp, deliberate wedge between them. Smacking an elf into a trash can pleases kids, and a reference to Charlie Sheen pleases adults, but no joke or reference can please both groups simultaneously. The first “Santa Clause” didn’t go out of the plotline’s way for a joke as its sequel does.  Sandwiched between childlike goofiness and sweet parental mush, “The Santa Clause 2” simply plays to the audience it knows it already has. -Jake Tracer

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