Spare Parts

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1:18

Spare Parts

PG-13

2015

1h 53m

Drama

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

58%

Tomatometer

31 Reviews

82%

Popcornmeter

5,000+ Ratings

With the help of their high school's newest teacher (George Lopez), four Hispanic students form a robotics club. Although they have no experience, the youths set their sights on a national robotics contest. With $800 and parts scavenged from old cars, they build a robot and compete against reigning champion MIT. Along the way, the students learn not only how to build a robot but something far more important: how to forge bonds that will last a lifetime.

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Critics Consensus

Spare Parts is effective enough to do in a pinch for inspirational sports drama fans - although most of them will have seen these story beats hit more powerfully before.

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J. R. Jones

Chicago Reader

Though based on a Wired magazine story, this sticks closely to the formulas of inspirational-teacher and sports-team dramas; distinguishing it from the pack is the fact that all four students who formed the club were undocumented.

Jan 23, 2015

Full Review

Keith Phipps

The Dissolve

The film refreshingly portrays its kids as part of a diverse group trying to succeed in a country in which they can never find secure footing.

Rated: 3/5

Jan 20, 2015

Full Review

Jesse Hassenger

AV Club

Sequences and scenes end unceremoniously, everyone in the movie seems to know each other's backstory before they're properly introduced, and mild jokes land with uncertainty.

Rated: C

Jan 20, 2015

Full Review

Dan Scully

Cinema76

It's a positive story, filled to the brim with love, fun, and cultural pride.

Apr 10, 2020

Full Review

Nicholas Bell

IONCINEMA.com

Even while McNamara hasn't made a great or even very daring film, it's one that was worth being made, and certainly one deserving to be seen despite its formulaic, safe tone.

Rated: 2/5

Jul 18, 2019

Full Review

Bernard Boo

Way Too Indie

Spare Parts will likely be a crowd-pleaser, especially to those familiar with the story, but those expecting something new to be brought to the table are out of luck.

Rated: 5.5/10

Mar 20, 2019

Full Review

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Aluna U

Spare Parts, based on the Wired article La Vida Robot, tells the inspiring true story of four Latino high school students who beat MIT in a national robotics competition. Though dramatized in parts, the film captures the heart of perseverance, showing that determination and teamwork can break through even the toughest barriers. Strong performances—especially from George Lopez—bring authenticity to a story that motivates young dreamers to keep pushing forward, no matter how impossible their goals may seem. Read the full review here: (Indonesian version : alunauwie.com)

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

09/23/25

Full Review

alan g

Based upon a fake wired story. Familiar plot underdogs taking on arrogant team and winning. George Lopez couldn't carry a movie in a large basket. No one else was home so they stuck him in? He is a horrible actor and very unfunny. John Lequezano, Jimmy Smits were unavailable?

Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars

06/11/25

Full Review

Audience Member

Based on a wired magazine article The true story of a bunch of a high school students wanting to make something of themselves An underwater robotics competition is being held in California and 4 Hispanic students along with the new principal hope to enter The winner gets $800 in prize money and a few of the students want better lives whether it’s getting into the army or escaping the gang life It’s hard because many of the student body doesn’t graduate, drops out or is deported because of immigration services The only known actors in here are George Lopez, Marisa Tomei, Alexa Vega, and Jamie Lee Curtis It’s a great story about defying the odds given the community affected the most in this country, even if you don’t take home the gold you still get the recognition for trying, for some citizens that still try to find their footing in a country they’ve never belonged to This thing is totally predictable but the comittment of the actors sells it giving it a lot of inspiration as well as cultural pride surrounding the issues of immigration

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

01/17/25

Full Review

Gabriela B

Fun and moving movie, especially because it’s based on a true story. Latin movie watchers like me will love it but it’s great for anyone wanting an underdog story. Some may say it’s predictable but I didn’t think it was.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

01/01/25

Full Review

Jay M

Funny and smart... Marisa Tomei was great, and the kids were quirky and funny!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

11/25/23

Full Review

Steve D

Often covered territory but fun.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

10/28/23

Full Review

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Sean McNamara

Director

George Lopez

Fredi Cameron

Jamie Lee Curtis

Principal

Carlos PenaVega

Oscar

Marisa Tomei

Gwen

David Del Rio

Cristian

Spare Parts: Finish Strong

2:58

Spare Parts: First Prize

2:13

Spare Parts: I Need You to Slap Me

2:26

Spare Parts: Have You Seen Ramiro?

2:04

Spare Parts: You Wanna Be His Father?

2:34

Spare Parts: Buying the Parts

2:21

Spare Parts: A Finish Line Always Appears

1:53

Spare Parts: An Underwater Robotics Competition

2:24

Spare Parts: Am I Up For This?

2:33

Spare Parts: The Competition Begins

2:15

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Synopsis

With the help of their high school's newest teacher (George Lopez), four Hispanic students form a robotics club. Although they have no experience, the youths set their sights on a national robotics contest. With $800 and parts scavenged from old cars, they build a robot and compete against reigning champion MIT. Along the way, the students learn not only how to build a robot but something far more important: how to forge bonds that will last a lifetime.

Director: Sean McNamara
Producer: Ben Odell, George Lopez, Leslie Kolins Small, David Alpert, Rick Jacobs
Screenwriter: Elissa Matsueda
Distributor: Lionsgate Films, Pantelion Films
Production Co: Televisa Films, Brookwell-McNamara Entertainment, Travieso Prods., Pantelion Films, Circle of Confusion, Indieproduction
Rating: PG-13 (Violence|Some Language)
Genre: Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Jan 16, 2015, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Feb 19, 2016
Box Office (Gross USA): $3.6M
Runtime: 1h 53m
Sound Mix: Dolby Digital
Aspect Ratio: Scope (2.35:1)

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