A government agent trains a typical teenager Cody Banks who loves to skateboard, hates math, and feels like a complete idiot around girls, in the ways of covert operations that require younger participants. But Cody's got a secret–he's actually part of a secret teen CIA program. Cody's living every boy's dream life–he can drive like a stunt man, has an incredible arsenal of cool gadgets, and his agency mentor, Ronica Miles, is totally hot. But Cody's training is put to the test when he's sent to pose as a prep school student and befriend fellow teen Natalie Connors in order to gain access to her father–a scientist unknowingly developing a fleet of deadly pair of twisted villains called the nanobots for the evil organization ERIS, which can destroy any carbon or silicon-based substance-to destroy the world's defense systems so he can threaten anyone who opposes him. From runaway cars and high-speed snowboard chases to a spectacular final mountaintop showdown, Cody has to use everything he's learned to prove himself as an agent and stop ERIS from completing their mission before their mission fails. A government agent trains Cody Banks in the ways of covert operations that require younger participants. I don't if was the young leading star, or the thought of a young James Bon type character that made me want to see this film, but either way, I tried it, and it wasn't as cheesy as I thought it might be, from director Harald Zwart (One Night at McCool's). Basically Cody Banks (Malcolm in the Middle's Frankie Muniz) appears to many a normal teenager, but he hides a secret, (after signing on to numerous websites) he is a young teen program agent working for the CIA. He is now being given a real assignment, scientist Dr. Connors (Martin Donovan) has unknowingly created a chemical frozen in ice cubes, which when melted can destroy anything metal in seconds, and evil organisation ERIS wants them to destroy defence systems. Cody's assignment, given by Ronica Miles (Angie Harmon), is to befriend fellow new school classmate Natalie Connors (Hilary Duff) in order to get close to her dad, the scientist. Unfortunately Cody lied on his personal information, and it turns out he needs more than a few gadgets to help his mission, he is rubbish at talking to girls. Also starring Volcano's Keith David as CIA Director, The Mummy's Arnold Vosloo as Francois Molay, Ian McShane as Dr. Brinkman, Cynthia Stevenson as Mrs. Banks, Daniel Roebuck as Mr. Banks and Darrell Hammond as Earl. Muniz makes quite a good mini James Bond, the story and cheap laughs are actually quite good, and there is just enough excitement added by some stunt and action sequences. Worth watching! In this mildly diverting action/comedy, Frankie Muniz (of TV's "Malcom in the Middle") plays a teenager who has secretly been trained by the CIA, and here is sent on a mission to get close to the daughter (Hilary Duff of Disney' Channel's "Lizzie McGuire") of a scientist who may be in league with some nasty people. The big joke here is that while Cody is great at the spy stuff, he sucks at talking to girls… and since Duff plays the typical bubbly California blond cheerleader type, its even worse for him.. though eventually she starts to like him and he beats the badguys. Predictable and formula all the way, though the kids are game and the gadgets kinda neat. If you don't expect much, its a fairly entertaining family film. GRADE: C It's going to be a hit with libidinous boys, and their parents could do worse (see first review) than to watch the lavish, James Bondish gadgetry and cheerful anarchy of an action-adventure that's been made with all the finesse it needs, though not a jot more.
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321 weeks ago