WHO would have believed that I, mother of four, would have had to settle down to this classic children's adventure film with just one of my brood for company.

I'm afraid my 10, 12 and 14-year-old saw the word 'kids' and took umbrage.

They are certainly not the most sophisticated children in the world, but even they just couldn't face it.

I reminded them of the time I sat through Stuart Little with no complaint but they pointed out I did grumble - quite loudly.

Spy Kids is a perfectly well-paced fun movie, centring on mini spies Carmen and Juni who are on a mission to recover a stolen device which could endanger the whole world.

There are jokes and special effects aplenty, and almost as a reward for staying up, the smouldering skills of Antonia Banderas, who seems surprisingly well suited as a comedy dad.

Look out for the ballet scene near the beginning for a belly-laugh, and close your eyes at the first glimpse of the knife-wielding skeletons scary!

Great film for the under-tens and resilient parents.

SCC