Cody Banks agent secret 2 - Destination Londres

Seeing this movie with three boys aged 4,6 and 7, left me in stitches, sure it's corny, it's rigged, and the acting is so-so, but it's a kids movie and a darned entertaining one at that.

My kids loved it, and the theatre was packed, the laughter was loud and in the end, the cheering was louder! So take the movie at it's face value, it's with kids, and for the kids, and it's entertaining for them, nothing more, nothing more intended by the producers either I would assume!

In my books, the sequel like almost all sequels is not as good as the original, but well crafted nonetheless.

Frank Muniz comes back as Cody Banks in this lackluster sequel in which he comes out of kids spy school to track down a hispanic Dictator named Diaz who used to be in the Cia.

Lame jokes are abound in this sequel as the jokes will pass you by without making you laugh, although kids might get them (like the chocolate surprise joke and millions of James Bond references)

One aspect I didn't like in this sequel are the numerous racial insults and stereotypes in the film ranging from a middle eastern with a bad accent to a black Muslim who plays a trumpet!! Man I don't know how this on screen, it also explains why Roger Ebert gave this film a thumbs down.

Still if you like dumb entertainment check it out.

PS: Speaking of dumb racial stereotypes that girl who plays the blonde dumb bimbo who belives the lies of Cody is a near riot, at the expense of dumb blonde stereotypes.

A few laughs yes, but is the movie good? No.

This is a fairly weak follow-up to the original. It lacks the newness and novelty found in first movies, which is to say it offered nothing really new or exciting.

In his movie we already know who he is and what he does. The gadgetry is nothing stunning or new. The special effects are fairly standard.

The biggest chance to go anywhere, and it was completely missed, was for him to at least get a little distracted by the cute flute player, or even the bassoon, woodwind buddy, girl. Granted we cannot let him go into full James Bond mode, but it was an opportunity to make a little something extra in the movie, and it was squandered.

All in all, I am not so wrapped up in or concerned with the stuff critics get off on. I don't need to say something special or controversial to get published. I don't need to rag on a film to feel superior to the great unwashed who pay to see it at the local cinema. I am concerned in being entertained and seeing my family equally entertained.

That said, we were mildly entertained. It will be a safe choice for family movie night from the video store. No one is going to be annoyed by it, but few will be thrilled either.

Save your theater movie, and wait to rent it.

There have been several negative comments on this movie, namely on the choice of casting, and on the quality of acting.

Firstly, I think choosing London as the setting was a brilliant idea (Though I am slightly biased). Not only could British people relate to the film, other countries would also find it interesting.

I also think that it was brilliant casting Hannah Spearritt to play Emily. She is an excellent actress, and suited the character well, and it only furthered her acting ability. I also think Frankie Muniz has matured so much since the first film, and seemed a lot more comfortable.

All in all, I thought it was an excellent film!

Cody Banks (Frankie Muniz) is a friendly teen but he's really a CIA undercover agent . Nowadays , he goes back as the junior CIA Agent Cody Banks. Diaz (Keith Allen), Cody's CIA trainer at summer camp, robs a mind-control device from the CIA, and getaways to London. Cody is assigned by his chief (Keith David) for one dangerous mission . As Cody flies to London and goes undercover as a clarinet-playing prodigy at an elite music school. Cody must fool the other kids at the school while he pursues Diaz. Cody joins forces with another botcher CIA agent (Anthony Anderson) . Cody finds Diaz and must fight him for the mind-control device. Cody has to use everything he's learned to prove himself as a competent agent and stop Diaz from completing their mission . Save the world. Get the girl. Pass math. Adventure is an attitude.

The plot is a little bit ridiculous , but we're in a spoof comedy and it is narrated in fast-movement ; besides , abound the surprises , being very funny and bemusing . In the film there is suspense , comedy , emotion , action-packed , tongue-in-cheek and chases galore with impressive velocity pursuits . The screenplay is nicely developed as well as characters and the frenetic action united to excellent special effects that are varied of these too . From the beginning until the end the amusement and entertainment is continued . The humor moments are in charge of Frankie Muniz and Anthony Anderson with their abundant botches and goofs that happen when they must confront perils and risks against the villains . Including a thrilling and exciting final facing off between the protagonists and the baddies . It's a spoof of James Bond's films , there're even bizarre artifacts like in ¨007¨ movies , plus a role type ¨Q¨ , a weapon deliverer who teaches the various gadgets which Cody Banks will subsequently use . Sympathetic acting by Frankie Muniz as adolescent agent who is given the job of retrieving a twisted device, before it can be put to evil use. Support cast is pretty good , such as : Hannah Spearritt as a music student , who is really a British secret agent working on the same case , and Anthony Anderson as Cody's CIA handler in London who becomes a cook at the house of the musical benefactor . Furthermore , Cynthia Stevenson , Daniel Roebuck , Keith Allen, Anna Chancellor , James Faulkner , and the veteran David Kelly . And special mention to the habitual villain Santiago Segura , he is terrific as well as hilarious as a peculiar nasty person . Colorful cinematography by Denis Crossan ; filmed on location in London , Knebworth House, Stevenage, Hertfordshire, England, UK Cobham Hall, Kent, England, UK , Buckingham Palace , Canary Wharf Underground Station, Canary Wharf, Isle of Dogs, London, England, UK . Atmospheric and lively musical score by Mark Thomas .

This is a sequel to ¨Agent Cody Banks¨(2003) that directed Harald Zwart (One Night at McCool's , Commando Hamilton , Pink Panther 2) starred by Hilary Duff , Angie Harmon , Cynthia Stevenson , Arnold Vosloo , Keith David , Daniel Roebuck , Ian McShane. This second part motion picture titled ¨Agent Cody Banks 2: Destination London¨ (original title) was regular but professionally by Kevin Allen (known for : Flat Lake ,The Big Tease, Under Milk Wood (2015), Y Syrcas (2013) and Spiceworld) . Rating: 5/10 , average but acceptable and passable .