This week, Jeremy Morrison emerges from his home theater with fresh review of two new releases from Olive Fims — “Agent Cody Banks” and “Agent Cody Banks 2: Destination London.” Both flicks have just hit Blu-ray from the good folks at Olive Films. The films star Frankie Muniz, Hilary Duff, Angie Harmon, Ian McShane and more.
First, a quick synopsis of each film:
‘Agent Cody Banks’ Synopsis: James Bond. Matt Helm. Cody Banks. Super spies all … with one exception: Cody Banks (Frankie Muniz, TV’s Malcolm in the Middle) is a 15-year-old CIA operative who has to make sure his chores are done before saving the world.
Under the watchful eye of CIA handler Agent Ronica Miles (Angie Harmon, TV’s Rizzoli & Isles) Cody is called into service to investigate Dr. Connors (Martin Donovan, Trust), a scientist employed by the nefarious organization known as ERIS headed by the dastardly Dr. Brinkman (Ian McShane, TV’s Deadwood) who’s bent on destroying the world’s defense systems in order to rule the planet.
When Natalie Connors (Hilary Duff, Cheaper by the Dozen), Cody’s high school crush and the daughter of the eminent scientist, is used as leverage to force her reluctant father to aid Dr. Brinkman in his plans, Cody springs into action. The spy game will never be quite the same in the action comedy Agent Cody Banks.
Directed by Harald Zwart (The Karate Kid) from a screenplay by Scott Alexander, Larry Karaszewski, Zack Stentz and Ashley Edward Miller, Agent Cody Banks co-stars Keith David (Larger Than Life), Cynthia Stevenson (The Player) and Darrell Hammond (TV’s Saturday Night Live).
Actors: Frankie Muniz, Hilary Duff, Angie Harmon, Ian McShane
‘Agent Cody Banks: Destination London’ Synopsis: Frankie Muniz (TV’s Malcolm in the Middle) returns as adolescent agent Cody Banks in Agent Cody Banks 2: Destination London.
It’s action across the pond this time around when Agent Cody Banks is called on to help locate stolen plans for a mind-control device. With the aid of his new handler, Derek (Anthony Anderson, TV’s Black-ish), and MI6 undercover operative Emily Sommers (Hannah Spearritt, Seed of Chucky), Cody’s in hot pursuit of the dastardly Lord Duncan Kenworth (James Faulkner, TV’s Da Vinci’s Demons), the mastermind behind the plot.
Directed by Kevin Allen (Twin Town) from the screenplay by Don Rhymer (story by Rhymer, Harald Zwart & Dylan Sellers based on the characters created by Jeffrey Jurgensen), Agent Cody Banks 2: Destination London co-stars Keith David (Road House) as the CIA Director and Cynthia Stevenson (The Player) as Cody’s mother, reprising their Agent Cody Banks roles.
Actors: Frankie Muniz, Anthony Anderson, Hannah Spearritt, Keith David, Cynthia Stevenson
THE REVIEW: The Agent Code Banks films are not aimed at everyone, as you probably know, but they sure are a lot of fun if you fall into the target demo. I watched both movies in a back-to-back marathon and I’m glad I did as I felt myself forgiving the sequel for not being continuing on with the tone of the first film.
Jeremy Morrison – Staff Writer
Co-creator/host of the Acid Pop Cult Podcast, film reviewer, screenwriter, Jeremy has more than eight years experience in television and film production. His childhood fascination with the naked breasts featured in the “Friday the 13th” franchise prepared him for absolutely nothing in life. J-Mo lives by one motto: #wecantallbezacksnyder
Twitter: @acidpopcult
IG: @almostgothim