Review of Agent Cody Banks 2: Destination London

Introduction

Call me cynical, but the words, "cashing" and "in" spring to mind when I see most sequels. I really liked the first Agent Cody Banks film and this was primarily because I`m a Malcolm in the Middle fan; I like Frankie Muniz. The first film had a quirky, slightly offbeat sense of humour and had its silly moments, which appealed to my sense of fun so I instantly liked it. Moreover, there was Angie Harmon and Hilary Duff too and this didn`t impede any enjoyment I had. I was going to be interested in the sequel because more of a good thing can`t hurt, right?

Plus, this isn`t just another "secret agent" film with gadgets, it`s a "spy kid" film with gadgets. With Spy Kids doing well enough at the box-office and home video markets to churn out more sequels, it was just a question of time before another studio wanted a piece of the spy pie, and no other studio does it `better` than the home of Bond. I use the word `better` very loosely here however.

Cody Banks is a bit older now and more entrenched in his role as a CIA agent. So, time for another mission, and where better to go than London to stop a mind control plan. The leaders of the G8 Summit are meeting together and with all this power in the room at the same time, it`d be a choice time to take control of these minds.

Partner him with a black CIA agent, played by Anthony Anderson, include ex-S Club Hannah Spearritt as a British agent, have the bad guy played by Keith Allen and partner him with James Faulkner, and you`ve got the characters in place for another story. Oh, and don`t forget Keith David reprising his role as the CIA Director.

Video

Presented with a 2.35:1 widescreen enhanced video transfer, Agent Cody Banks 2 looks good. Colours and detail are well balanced without any trace of dirt while the mild grain in the background is mild and doesn`t get in the way. There is some edge enhancement but not too much as to detract from the film itself.

Audio

The Dolby Digital 5.1 soundtrack works well throughout the film, though don`t expect a system workout, as it`s not too aggressive. Dialogue is clear from the centre while the surrounds kick in with some ambient effects and ramp up a little with the onscreen action. LFE comes to life with the more demanding action scenes and all in all the sound is good.

Features

Easy to navigate animated menus with a smaller selection of extras compared to the region 1 DVD.

• Agent Cody Banks: Back in Action (8:18) - The usual PR fluff fare.

• Deleted Scenes - Three deleted scenes: Plotting by air (1:14), Diaz`s demands (0:35) and Brushing don`ts (1:08) - You might watch these once, then never again.

• Extended Scenes - Three extended scenes: Cody caught on tape (0:53), Cody breaks in (1:32) and London Ride (1:09). These add some needless flesh to the bones.

• Outtakes (4:00) - Like most outtakes, worth seeing once and then forgetting about it.

• Behind the Scenes Photo Gallery - Production stills of the cast, nothing interesting.

• Theatrical Trailer (1:36) - A trailer, what more can I say?

All extras, except for the trailer, are subtitled. The film has clear, easy to read English subtitles.

Conclusion

I liked the first film, and the reason I liked it was simple; it was an action film with an unsuspecting teenage agent in the shape of Frankie Muniz. With that in mind, what would they do for a follow-up? Mess it up, that`s what. Cody Banks is older and comes across as someone who thinks he knows everything. Couple him with a stereotyped black agent, bring the film to London, plant a possible love interest as a British agent (Hannah Spearritt), put Keith Allen in as a bad boy, and you have what could have been a fun action film. Instead have something that misses the point of the first film; the dry humour, the dastardly world domination plans and characters of the first film are sorely missed.

I liked the original characters, in particular Keith David`s CIA Director, who plays the part with a straight face and was a joy to watch. The awkwardness with Hilary Duff and the dryness of his CIA handler, Angie Harmon, worked well and added to the film`s sense of fun; Cody Banks still being wet behind the ears helped too. Now that Cody is older, he seems to be a little too serious and "professional", as an agent.

There was a proper bad guy and henchman in the first film. Ian McShane and Arnold Vosloo were a perfect, charming team and their megalomaniacal intentions were in keeping with the very best of Bond`s arch villains. There was an almost campy tongue-in-cheek feel to their proceedings too. It`s a shame the bad guys in Agent Cody Banks 2 are weak and unfunny in comparison. The rest of the characters are bland too and don`t help the already weak story. By now the whole premise of a young teenage agent has worn very thin and I`m not looking forward to anymore of Banks` escapades.

This story in particular just hasn`t the legs to carry it. Where`s the humour, the dry quips and the bumbling awkward teenager who couldn`t talk to girls? Uninteresting characters, weak plotting and storyline creating feelings of boredom in me says it all; it`s not a patch on the first film. Young teens might get a kick out of this film, but as a fan of the first one, I didn`t.