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Review: Agent Cody Banks (2003)

Agent Cody Banks (2003) Review by Alan Davies.

"Save the world. Get the girl. Pass math." the poster for new Frankie Muniz (Malcolm In The Middle, Big Fat Liar) spy movie extravaganza proudly declares. Clearly a movie aimed at kids and early teens, Agent Cody Banks tells the story of well, Cody Banks (Muniz), a 15 year old boy who holds a secret. When his parents sent him to summer camp, unbeknowst to them he had actually enrolled in to a CIA junior agent program, accepted by them due to his exceptional skills.

Brinkman (Ian McShane), the villan of the movie, is a crazed man with a mission to destroy the world (yes, it's that tired old cliche again) using 'Nanobots' developed by Dr.Connors, the father of schoolgirl Natalie Connors (Hilary Duff). Cody is called up by the CIA to get close to Natalie and find out any information he can about her father. He isn't alone though and is helped by a somewhat baffling, yet comedic assortment of CIA agents, first and foremost his 'handler', the super tough megabitch Ronica Miles (Angie Harmon).

Agent Cody Banks isn't a great movie, but neither is it a dire one. It kept me thoroughly entertained throughout it's running time of 110mins. Strongly aimed at children the sets and costumes are bright, colorful and bold. For the tech-savvy there are a wide assortment of cool gadgets, great cars and beautiful girls to ache the hearts of all the pubescent young chaps out there (namely the addition of the hyper-gorgeous Hilary Duff brings a much needed boost to this somewhat stale movie). Muniz is great in his role as the young agent and some of the fight sequences are pretty spectacular with some rather spiffy camerawork to boot.

Overall this is what you would come to expect from a spy movie for kids. Heaps of explosions, comedic moments, nasty bad guys, sexy girls and a cool punk-rock soundtrack by all the current favoured bands. Agent Cody Banks succeeds on nearly all points...bar one. Underneath the glitz and gloss lies a very stale, very tired movie. This kind of movie has been played out to death so many times. Maybe it's time Hollywood had a rethink about how to go about making the next teen spy movie. There is room for improvement (and without giving anything away, this movie hints at a sequel near the end).

I for one would like to see a sequel to this movie as i believe it does hold some shelflife (if what somewhat limited). But all things considered, although tired and worn round the edges, Agent Cody Banks is a reasonably good movie, if only for the fact that it's so glitzy.

Oh, and Madonna was one of the producers of this movie. Bet you didn't know that huh?

Final Score: 6/10 ''Yeah i know. Know what? Ah it's a voice in my head. (Aside) WILL YOU JUST SHUT UP?''

http://us.imdb.com/Title?0313911

Great review again MS

I too enjoyed this movie. Although the kid spy flick HAS been played to death this one had a few tricks too it that made it fun..ie Cody already being a spy and not learning the his parents are spies so he automatically becomes one. Hillary Duff and Angie Harmon make for great eye candy which isnt a bad thing to have

My review rating is 7 out of 10

__________________
"If somebody said to me, in twelve years you’ll be in a band with your brother and two carrot munching geezers who don’t like football, I would've said 'fuck off, I’m not joining the Bee Gees." -Noel Gallagher 2005

Heh. I have NO intention to download this film, and after reading your review, its EXACTLY what I expected. I think I will pass on this flick.

Nice review.