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All-Reviews.com Movie/Video Review
Agent Cody Banks
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  out of 4
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Starring: Frankie Muniz, Angie Harmon Director: Harald Zwart
Rated: PG RunTime: 90 Minutes Release Date: March 2003 Genres: Action, Comedy, Kids |
| *Also starring: | Ian McShane, Martin Donovan, Arnold Vosloo, Hilary Duff, Darrell Hammond, Andrew Francis |
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 Review by Susan Granger 3½ stars out of 4
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With a touch of "Spy Kids," a dollop of "Mission Impossible" and a dash of
James Bond, Freddie Muniz ("Malcolm in the Middle") plays a smart, resourceful
Seattle 15 year-old, Cody Banks, who's an undercover government operative.
Unbeknownst to his parents, he was part of an elite CIA Agent Development
Program which covertly trained youngsters in the guise of summer camp, preparing
them to be sent on secret missions. The story opens with Cody's spontaneous,
heroic skateboard rescue of a toddler in a runaway car. Hop to Hong Kong, where
an unsuspecting scientist (Martin Donovan) has devised microscopic robots that
villains (Ian McShane, Arnold Vosloo) plan to use to undermine the defense of
the United States. Cody is recruited to befriend the reclusive scientist's
adolescent daughter Natalie (Hilary Duff of "Lizzie McGuire") to gain access to
the laboratory where the ferocious nanobots are encased in ice cubes. "This
isn't secret agent Little League anymore," Cody's told, and sexy Angie Harmon is
assigned as his handler. "It's my job to make sure you do your job," she purrs.
He's also given gadgets like a special cellphone, watch, skateboard, glasses and
$5,000 - for expenses. Plus a team of CIA experts is assigned to do his
household chores and homework so his unsuspecting family won't get suspicious.
Problem is: Cody's tongue-tied around girls. But when Natalie's kidnapped and
held prisoner in a Cascade Mountain fortress, Cody jumps on a jet-powered
snowboard to save her - along with the world. Director Harald Zwart and his team
of writers score with fast-paced fun, if scant originality. On the Granger Movie
Gauge of 1 to 10, "Agent Cody Banks" is a cool, engaging 8, designed to
entertain and delight its young audience.
Copyright © 2003 Susan Granger
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