“Agent Cody Banks” (MGM)
Frankie Muniz, who is the star of TV’s “Malcolm In the Middle,” can certainly have a big screen career if he wants it. His new film “Agent Cody Banks” is good enough to establish a franchise for the young star until he outgrows the role. This action packed teenage adventure movie has more charm and more entertainment value than “Spy Kids” ever did. Forget that yesterday’s duo, Cody Banks is the man for the hour and the teenager who will charm kids of all ages.
In the film Cody Banks (Muniz) is an ordinary fifteen-year-old who also just happens to be a junior agent for the CIA. His parents don’t know about this as he was recruited while at summer camp. One day after basketball practice a stunning woman makes her way into the boys’ locker room. Her name is Ronica Miles (Angie Harmon) and she is there to tell Cody about his first assignment.
Soon Cody is being reassigned to an exclusive prep school where a bright and bouncy girl named Natalie (Hilary Duff) goes. He is to make her acquaintance and get invited to her birthday party so he can find out information about her father (Martin Donovan), a scientist whose inventions have fallen into the wrong hands.
What follows are some great action moments with Muniz being convincing in the physical scenes as well as showing an inordinate amount of charisma as the shy but effective Agent Cody Banks. There are even some “gotcha” moments which will have the audience squealing with fear and excitement.
Muniz is perfectly cast as Banks and Duff registers strongly as the teen dream Natalie. All of her Lizzie McGuire fans are going to love her in this role. Angie Harmon is dressed like a Nancy Sinatra refugee from the seventies – go go boots and all. Still she is wonderful as the stunning and comic agent who takes Cody under her wing.
The film is rated PG for mild profanity and mild violence.
You are going to have a great time with “Agent Cody Banks.” It is a clean, fast moving action/romantic adventure. Muniz is the man who makes it all worth watching but he has great support from Duff and especially Angie Harmon. Bring on the sequel!!!!
I scored “Agent Cody Banks” a federal 7 out of 10.
©2003 Jackie K. Cooper
