8. Spy Kids
RT Score: 93%. "A kinetic and fun movie that's sure to thrill children of all ages." Who would've thought that the guy who directed El Mariachi, Desperado, From Dusk Til Dawn and The Faculty would end up knocking out kids' films in a seemingly interminable franchise? Critics nevertheless took to Spy Kids, expressing surprise at Rodriguez's enthusiasm - he made it for his kids, apparently - while those wishing he'd just get on with another R-rated gore-fest found themselves completely dispirited, hating the film before they'd even bothered to see it (if they even did at all). To add insult to injury, Rodriguez directed two more sequels right off the bat, and it wasn't until 2003's Once Upon a Time in Mexico that the director returned to familiar territory. Though Spy Kids is a fine film for kids, Rodriguez's fanboys just felt that he should have been making something more consistent with his style rather than fanciful flicks like this that only alienate his core audience.