Agent Cody Banks (2003)

★★½
I find the idea of a C.I.A. division that trains teenagers to be junior agents a stretch, but Agent Cody Banks is focused on being a children's fantasy rather than a deep dive into the C.I.A.'s bag of tricks. Cody Banks (Frankie Muniz) is 15 years old and was selected by the C.I.A. to attend a summer camp/training center for new recruits. Recruits receive the latest in spy gadgetry and lessons in fighting and diving. Cody is a boy of amazing dexterity, but despite his double life, he goes to a regular high school, has a bratty little brother and endures daily chores.

Cody receives his first assignment when a scientist, Dr. Connors (Martin Donovan), who specializes in nanotechnology, is forced to perfect his creations for a man bent on world domination. The nanobots, once complete, will be able to eat through anything. Such devices could be used to compromise the United States' defenses. Dr. Connors' daughter, Natalie (Hilary Duff), attends a prep school near Cody's high school, so the C.I.A. directs Cody to get close to Natalie so he can learn as much as possible about Dr. Connors' situation. To make the job easier, the C.I.A. enrolls Cody at the prep school under the guise of a full scholarship to give his parents a reason for the change in learning environment.

Cody is, naturally, awkward with girls. This is a surprise to the C.I.A. director (Keith David), who complains that after a million dollars in training, Cody can't talk to girls. This leads to a funny training sequence in which various instructors try to help the young agent overcome his fear. Eventually, Cody is on good terms with Natalie, who in turn invites him to her birthday party.

The movie's villain is Brinkman (Ian McShane), who along with his henchman François (Arnold Vosloo) kidnaps the good Dr. Connor to complete his modification of the nanobots of his sinister plans. When Cody Banks learns of Brinkman's location, he goes on a last-ditch effort to retrieve the doctor and Natalie, who was abducted just as Cody was about to reveal his C.I.A. background.

Agent Cody Banks is basically a James Bond adventure for the teen crowd. Frankie Muniz, star of the T.V. show Malcolm in the Middle, has teenage girls swooning, while Hilary Duff, well, also has teenage girls swooning, though it's over her singing career rather than her looks. I don't know how much help Frankie received by use of body doubles and special effects, but he makes a convincing young spy. His Cody Banks receives a number of nifty little toys to help him achieve his mission, such as a cell phone with a retractable cord and a jet-propelled snow board.

The movie is not distinguished in any way; it's merely a vehicle to give young viewers a hero to cheer to victory. Making James bond-style adventures accessible to teenagers is hardly a necessary move, though, since Bond's adventures are enjoyable for teens all on their own. However, it's goofy fun if you're in the mood. The writers tried valiantly to make the idea of junior C.I.A. agents believable for the purposes of telling this story, and they succeeded to a small degree.

© 2004 Silver Screen Reviews