Review of Agent Cody Banks

Introduction

Young Cody Banks is a natural hero. He is always willing to help aided by his trusty skateboard. Luckily for him the world is in danger and they need him now!

Previously trained to the highest standards on the CIA Summer Camp for Spies, he had millions spent on him. He`s primed and ready for action. There`s just one problem; Cody can`t talk to girls and as his mission is to get close to the lovely Natalie Connors, he needs help fast.

Frankie Muniz is best known in the UK for his performance in the show `Malcolm in the Middle` about a consistently dysfunctional, and comedic family. Hilary Duff is Lizzy McGuire and has her own film out this year as well. Also featuring is our very own Ian McShane as the villain with his sidekick henchman, Arnold Voslo best known for his role as the High Priest in `The Mummy`.

Video

This film is presented well and given a good clean transfer onto DVD. There are numerous visual stunts, some genuine and others `enhanced`. There are at least two stunts that I was convinced were genuine that turned out to be staged. Just goes to show you can`t believe anything you see anymore. The film certainly makes the most of its limited locations with Vancouver doubling as Seattle, some good matt painting and a sprinkling of fairy dust.

Audio

Could be funnier is the report on this one. The script is occasionally amusing and occasionally illogical. There are some reasonable backing songs to add some teen interest and a suitably stirring music score that lifts the film`s action moments.

Features

Well put together interactive menus with the addition of annoying Easter Eggs which I have real trouble finding and I confess got a bit bored looking.


There are quite a lot of featurettes on various on aspects of the film. Mostly interesting in their own way. There`s nice little documentary on the Director`s Diary. Others deal with costume, music etc. These are enjoyable and geared up to the age group the film is aimed at.


There is also a commentary by the Director Harald Zwart, Frankie Muniz and Angie Harmon who plays Agent Veronica Miles. It is humorous and not overly demanding, including information about the movie locations and who did what where and when.

Also included is Storyboard to film and Multi-camera shots with commentary offering additional insight into making this kind of film.

Conclusion

Oh, I want to like this film but it is so uneven in tone that I loved the first ten minutes and then started to get worried it was turning into `American Pie`. It feels like they couldn`t decide which audience they were aiming for and added some locker room antics and a woman in an overstretched catsuit just to make the 16 year-olds interested. It then compounds this by creating an entirely unconvincing attraction between the two juvenile leads. There are also comedy villains with Ian McShane in a superb shade of David Dickinson-orange and a shaven headed Arnold Voslo. McShane and Voslo are both cardboard cutouts but McShane does make some headway with his limited part. There is no character development and even more insulting Cody`s parents appear to be terminally stupid. The CIA is sold as a bunch of cuddly, helpful babysitters so that was accurate! At least the dubious sub-text about sexy older women is swiftly lost in the confusion as the film moves along.

Don`t get me wrong this is fun film for the most part that does not overstretch its juvenile leads. Frankie Muniz is personable and sweet looking as is Hilary. If you are looking for the wit and class of `Malcolm in the Middle` you won`t find it here though.

Don`t bother buying this for your 16 year old, as I would think it was aimed at 12 and under.


It is check your brain at the door stuff with some energetic stunt work and special effects but I`m not sure the franchise (yes there is a sequel in the pipeline) has legs. It borrows heavily from the spy genre and there are gadgets and gismos galore. If you add in some large explosions, a red sports car and Cody in his best suit -yep it`s James Bond on the cheap. It even follows the opening sequence trick of getting a nice big stunt in at the beginning so that you don`t notice that nothing much expensive happens until the last ten minutes.

There is no faulting the DVD for comprehensive content with a generous amount of footage and an entertaining commentary. The film itself is instantly forgettable and I suggest a rental for those who can`t resist Cody`s charms.