I didn’t have high expectations for Alex Rider: Operation Storm Breaker . I thought it would be a Spy Kids or Agent Cody Banks rip off, but then again I didn’t know it was going to be British. This teen spy flick has reminded me that when it comes to spy movies the Brits do it best.
The movie is based on the first of the best-selling series of Alex Rider novels by Anthony Horowitz Alex Rider: Operation Storm breaker introduces the reluctant teenage super-spy Alex Rider. After the death of his uncle, the 14-year-old hero is forced into a mission by the Special Operations Division of Britain’s secret intelligence service, MI6, which could save millions of lives.
It stars Ewan McGregor (for about five minutes), Mickey Rourke, Alicia Silverstone, Bill Nighy, Missy Pile and newcomer Alex Pettyfer as Alex Rider. And it’s not bad at all. True there could have been more moments of bonding between Alex and Ewan McGregor’s characters, a complaint shared by the writer himself “the one thing I wish they hadn’t cut would be some of the moments between Ian Rider (McGregor) and Alex”.
Young Pettyfer plays a convincing spy and even though he’s only fifteen he has a lot of presence onscreen plus I’m sure every teenager is going to love his looks (looks like a younger Ryan Phillip). Alicia Silverstone plays Alex’s nanny and she has a hilarious fight with relative newcomer Missy Pile (Charlie and the Chocolate Factory). Pile is fantastic in her role as Nadia Vole, it’s wonderful to see a beautiful woman so comfortable with playing less than attractive roles. She is definitely one to watch for in this and in her upcoming comedy Spring Breakdown.
My big disapointment was Mickey Rourke. His bad guy performance felt forced, not sure if it was the expositional writing for his character or that I couldn’t get over his eye makeup (and his bad facelift) but he was not his usual enjoyable self.
Operation Stormbreaker isn’t going to win any awards, there are some cheesy lines delivered here and there but for the most part it is entertaining and moves along at a breakneck pace. Overall this was an easy movie to watch, definitely one to take any cool kid you know out to see. Or for yourself if you can’t wait for the new Bond Flick. I give it a 7 out of ten. As far as a no, go or routh this is a go.
