AGENT CODY BANKS 2: DESTINATION LONDON
A film review by Steve Rhodes
Copyright 2004 Steve Rhodes
RATING (0 TO ****): * 1/2
The original AGENT CODY BANKS was a fun little film about junior secret agents. The story was just plausible enough to be credible and the characters were endearing. But its sequel, AGENT CODY BANKS 2: DESTINATION LONDON, is just silly and stupid. The original was a kid-friendly film, but the sequel turns the youngsters into jokes, who are never believable as little CIA agents. "Remember, trust equals death," super-secret CIA Agent Cody Banks (Frankie Muniz) is told by his adult trainer. "Now go write that in your lunchbox, Banks." The original was a good-spirited comedy, but the sequel is just a ridiculous spoof that would have gone straight to video were it not for the theatrical success of its predecessor.
The biggest problem with AGENT CODY BANKS 2: DESTINATION LONDON, however, is that it is Hilary Duffless, since Duff did not sign on for the sequel. In addition, Muniz, who was a little old for the original, is way too old at sixteen to repeat his part. If this silly script had any chance of working, it would be for a fresh face of about eleven to have been offered the lead. When you dumb-down the script, you have to cut back on the age of the actor to star in it.
Some jokes aren't too bad. The best of these involve killer Beanie Babies who don't always perform on command. The plot -- set in London where guys say things like, "Take your bum off my Bentley." -- involves a bad guy named Victor Diaz (Keith Allen) who has stolen mind control software. Maybe that is the problem. It wasn't Don Rhymer who wrote the script but some nefarious mind control software out to enslave the minds of kids foolish enough to buy tickets to this dog of a picture.
AGENT CODY BANKS 2: DESTINATION LONDON runs way too long at 1:41. It is rated PG for "action violence and some crude humor" and would be acceptable for all ages.
The film is playing in nationwide release now in the United States. In the Silicon Valley, it is showing at the AMC and the Century theaters.
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