Cody Banks : Agent secret

This is an okay kids' movie; but as college students who often enjoy kids' movies we did not enjoy it. The most irritating thing about this movie for me is that near the beginning of the movie he was 16 and getting his driver's license, and later in the movie he was 15. The entire movie was full of inconsistencies and overall annoying if you cannot stop thinking while watching a movie. We liked Hilary Duff's role, and the plot line on the romance was cute. Frankie and Hilary's chemistry was the best part of the movie.

Cody Banks (Frankie Muniz) is a shy common teenager, living with his mother, father and little brother in a suburban house. But he is also a very efficient undercover CIA agent. He is assigned by CIA director (Keith David), with the support of his instructor Ronica Miles (Angie Harmon), to date Natalie Connors (Hilary Duff) in order to be invited to her birthday party and get close and spy Natalie's father, Dr. Connors (Martin Donovan). Dr. Connors is a brilliant scientist, who has developed some sort of micro-robots with the intention of controlling oil leakage from tankers. However, the investors of the experiment intend to use the device as a powerful weapon. "Agent Cody Banks" tries to follow the success of "Spy Kids", it is very silly, but entertains. There is nothing special or original in this popcorn movie, indicated for an afternoon without any other alternative. My vote is six.

Title (Brazil): "O Agente Teen" ("The Teen Agent")

Kiddie spy flicks have become something of a new trend, resulting in the first spin-off since Spy Kids other than the original franchise. To say the least, this film falls way short of that expectation. Yes, the film had cool gadgets, and some decent sequences, it just seemed to lack where Spy Kids excelled. There wasn't that innocent charm or the silliness, for it seemed to be replaced by sexual innuendos and teenage hormones. Unfortunately, this series will most likely get more sequels, which means they have at least another chance to make up for their mistakes.

What can I say... It was a fun movie!

Went to see it with my 9 year old and we both enjoyed it a lot. Kind of a bond for younger audiences. Far fetched? Sure... but then so is 007 no?

I especially liked the little humorous details here and there... like the page "Would the driver of a silver Austin Martin please report to..." inside the CIA building (James Bond's car), or Cody's cell phone that rings like Austin Powers video-phone. Pay attention when watching it as the movie is filled with little details and one liners referring to other spy movies.

Was it worth the price of admission? Sure!

This was a decent film, not as innovative as Spy Kids but an improvement over Stormbreaker. Of course it is very silly, and has a predictable plot and an uneven script. But due to the spirited performances from the entire cast, it is great fun. Frankie Muniz gives a sense of charm and cheekiness to his role, and while having less to do, Hilary Duff gives one of her better performances here. Angie Harmon also is fabulously sexy as Agent Miles, revealing outfit and all, and Ian Mcshane is great as Brinkman. While there are discrepancies in the script sometimes, there are inspired moments of physical comedy that delivers the laughs. Also the film goes along at a fast pace, and there are wonderful stunts and action sequences. Predictable, but great fun. 7/10 Bethany Cox