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The Undercover Kid

Name: The Undercover Kid
Director: Linda Shayne
Released: 1997
Duration: 74 min

Representation Score

2.9/10

Limited

1997

Director

Linda Shayne

Runtime

74 minutes

Average Rating

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New Showbiz Analysis

The Undercover Kid is a conventional late-90s family adventure that prioritizes traditional clichés of heroism and patriotism. The narrative structure focuses on a child's struggle for ability to act against skeptical adults, primarily through a generational lens rather than a social one. Representation is limited, as the film adheres to the homogeneous casting and straight-centered frameworks typical of its genre and era. It lacks complexity in reflecting multiple aspects of identity or any intentional subversion of social hierarchies. Ultimately, the film operates within standard parameters of mainstream family entertainment, focusing on a singular hero's journey to save the President rather than exploring diverse identities.

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Category Breakdown

Does The Undercover Kid have LGBTQ+ representation?

Limited

The film does not include any explicit mention of LGBTQ+ characters or non-straight relationships. The story revolves around a child protagonist and his interactions with animals and authority figures.

How does The Undercover Kid portray gender?

Fair

The story centers on a young male protagonist navigating a world of skeptical adults. The plot follows a male-centric storyline without challenging traditional gender roles.

How racially and ethnically diverse is The Undercover Kid?

Limited

The cast appears to follow traditional, homogeneous casting patterns common to the era. There is no indication of a diverse or non-Anglo-Saxon majority.

How does The Undercover Kid represent religion and culture?

Fair

The film emphasizes Western themes of patriotism and protecting state institutions. It follows a traditional hero's journey centered on the preservation of established order.

Does The Undercover Kid include disability representation?

Minimal

There is no evidence of characters with visible or invisible disabilities. No representation is present in the available narrative data.

Present on Screen

Features a clear, classic hero's journey structure.
Employs engaging themes of patriotism and individual merit.

Limited or Absent

Lacks visible LGBTQ+ representation or queer subtext.
Follows homogeneous, traditional casting patterns.
Does not challenge traditional gender roles or explore diverse cultural identities.

Official Synopsis

Nine-year-old Max Anderson has a big problem: he knows about an evil plot to kill the president, and no one believes him. Adults don’t usually believe in talking dogs, but Max is certain that the tip from the would-be assassin’s pet dog is a sure thing. As he and his human and animal friends set out to put a stop to the sinister plan, his parents, the police, and even his bodyguard discredit his suspicion. When Agent Clyde finally begins to catch on, time is running out, and they must act quickly to save the president’s life. The story reminds us that doing the right thing isn’t always easy, and heroes come in all sizes.

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