Agent Cody Banks 2: Mission London

I will admit, I was a fan of the first film. While I didn't think it was one of the greatest films created, I did think that it had quite a bit of potential coupled with ample originality. It was fun, exciting, and it seemed like everyone involved seemed to be enjoying themselves. I only with that I could say the same for the sequel, Agent Cody Banks: Destination London. From the opening sequence of this film you could sense an aura of dislike, repetitiveness, and simple futility. Nobody, not even Frankie Muniz himself, seemed like they were bringing the same level of excitement to this project. Also, the level of originality was completely below par for this sequel. If you, like myself, brought any excitement from the first film to this one, it will be completely destroyed. Nothing worked in this movie, from the jokes, to the "spy" story, it just seemed flat and disrespectful.

My first issue is with the cast. If this was a true sequel, I think the producers could have budgeted a bit more to see about getting the original characters back. I understand that perhaps Hillary Duff's paycheck had risen since the original film, but she did bring something (as embarrassing as it is to say) to Agent Cody Banks that kept the spark alive. As did everyone else involved, sadly, Anthony Anderson (one of the most overused comic actors of this decade) brought nothing to the table. His jokes seemed generic and, honestly, repetitive. He had no character, all I could witness was Anthony Anderson being Anthony Anderson. They attempted to bring sympathy to his character by giving him this sub-story about being the "black" sheep of the CIA, but in my eyes it just wasn't enough. Anderson was just trying to showcase his "talent" so that he can continue to live the lifestyle that he has built. It was sad, and really hurt this film. Second, was Muniz himself. The bond between him and Hannah Spearritt was poor. I am not sure who the casting agent was on this project, but there was no chemistry between these two actors. They continued to prove that by reading your lines and walking the steps, you could inherit a $5 million dollar paycheck. Nobody cared, nobody stopped, they just continued to make this cheapened sequel.

Next issue, where was the story? The first film carried with it some decent events that built a strong story which ultimately lead to a better than average film, but it seemed like in this sequel they aimed towards children and empty minds. In most film sequels, they use a similar plot structure to give the audience a sensation of relaxation, while simultaneously building different elements to keep our attention. Well, none of that was used in this film. Instead, we find ourselves with a cheapened story that results in dogs playing piano and a very unspooky villain. In fact, I couldn't even tell you who the true bad guy was of this film, and that is a perfect sign that your film is struggling. This story just felt as if it was unfinished, as if the original screenplay was not dumbened down for children, but instead built another strong adventure, but the studio wanted to capture the child audience, so the butchered the product, leaving frayed edges and unfinished segments, so that they could make room for Anthony Anderson's cheap laughs. Yet again, proving the pathetic nature of the film. I went into this story expecting to be completely surprised, yet somehow walked away without any recollection of what I just experienced. It was the perfect example of a how a sequel should not be structured or released.

Finally, I would like to say that if you have a film that seems to do somewhat well at the box office, there should be no need to rush right into a sequel, especially if you see a growing decrease in the excitement behind Malcolm in the Middle. Frankie Muniz is a decent actor, but when handed poor material, he will not fray from making it exceptionally poor. He is one of those actors that brings good things to great material, but will falter if handed unseasonable stuff. I do not see a bright future for Muniz due to his ability to stray from decency. This could have been a powerful sequel, but instead Hollywood yet again strayed towards the side of childish behavior instead of truthful storytelling.

Overall, this film lacked the fun of the first film. With unfamiliar characters, comedy that seemed forced and incoherent instead of funny, and a story that had that cheapened Velcro feel to it, Agent Cody Banks 2 proved that jumping to quickly into a sequel will place a black cloud on your entire series. While once I had considered this to be an interesting and highly original concept, I now have second thoughts. I am not sure that Muniz was prepared for such a cheap sequel, and therefore he signed too quickly. I do not recommend this film to anyone that enjoyed the first film, or at least was under the impression that the first film was decent. This was a horrible sequel that should have never seen the light of day. YUK!

Grade: * out of *****

There have been several negative comments on this movie, namely on the choice of casting, and on the quality of acting.

Firstly, I think choosing London as the setting was a brilliant idea (Though I am slightly biased). Not only could British people relate to the film, other countries would also find it interesting.

I also think that it was brilliant casting Hannah Spearritt to play Emily. She is an excellent actress, and suited the character well, and it only furthered her acting ability. I also think Frankie Muniz has matured so much since the first film, and seemed a lot more comfortable.

All in all, I thought it was an excellent film!

Cody Banks (Frankie Muniz) is a friendly teen but he's really a CIA undercover agent . Nowadays , he goes back as the junior CIA Agent Cody Banks. Diaz (Keith Allen), Cody's CIA trainer at summer camp, robs a mind-control device from the CIA, and getaways to London. Cody is assigned by his chief (Keith David) for one dangerous mission . As Cody flies to London and goes undercover as a clarinet-playing prodigy at an elite music school. Cody must fool the other kids at the school while he pursues Diaz. Cody joins forces with another botcher CIA agent (Anthony Anderson) . Cody finds Diaz and must fight him for the mind-control device. Cody has to use everything he's learned to prove himself as a competent agent and stop Diaz from completing their mission . Save the world. Get the girl. Pass math. Adventure is an attitude.

The plot is a little bit ridiculous , but we're in a spoof comedy and it is narrated in fast-movement ; besides , abound the surprises , being very funny and bemusing . In the film there is suspense , comedy , emotion , action-packed , tongue-in-cheek and chases galore with impressive velocity pursuits . The screenplay is nicely developed as well as characters and the frenetic action united to excellent special effects that are varied of these too . From the beginning until the end the amusement and entertainment is continued . The humor moments are in charge of Frankie Muniz and Anthony Anderson with their abundant botches and goofs that happen when they must confront perils and risks against the villains . Including a thrilling and exciting final facing off between the protagonists and the baddies . It's a spoof of James Bond's films , there're even bizarre artifacts like in ¨007¨ movies , plus a role type ¨Q¨ , a weapon deliverer who teaches the various gadgets which Cody Banks will subsequently use . Sympathetic acting by Frankie Muniz as adolescent agent who is given the job of retrieving a twisted device, before it can be put to evil use. Support cast is pretty good , such as : Hannah Spearritt as a music student , who is really a British secret agent working on the same case , and Anthony Anderson as Cody's CIA handler in London who becomes a cook at the house of the musical benefactor . Furthermore , Cynthia Stevenson , Daniel Roebuck , Keith Allen, Anna Chancellor , James Faulkner , and the veteran David Kelly . And special mention to the habitual villain Santiago Segura , he is terrific as well as hilarious as a peculiar nasty person . Colorful cinematography by Denis Crossan ; filmed on location in London , Knebworth House, Stevenage, Hertfordshire, England, UK Cobham Hall, Kent, England, UK , Buckingham Palace , Canary Wharf Underground Station, Canary Wharf, Isle of Dogs, London, England, UK . Atmospheric and lively musical score by Mark Thomas .

This is a sequel to ¨Agent Cody Banks¨(2003) that directed Harald Zwart (One Night at McCool's , Commando Hamilton , Pink Panther 2) starred by Hilary Duff , Angie Harmon , Cynthia Stevenson , Arnold Vosloo , Keith David , Daniel Roebuck , Ian McShane. This second part motion picture titled ¨Agent Cody Banks 2: Destination London¨ (original title) was regular but professionally by Kevin Allen (known for : Flat Lake ,The Big Tease, Under Milk Wood (2015), Y Syrcas (2013) and Spiceworld) . Rating: 5/10 , average but acceptable and passable .

This was a sequel made in a hurry, trying to desperately catch Frankie Muniz while he was still a teen.

It's not as good as the original, but there are enough fun moments here to pass the time. I liked Anthony Anderson as Cody's new handler, and as an S Club 7 fan it was nice to see Hannah pop up. Though her trying to pass as a teen might have been a bit of a stretch.

It looks cheaper than the original, there's a noticeable dip in quality, but I remember liking this as a kid.

This is a fairly weak follow-up to the original. It lacks the newness and novelty found in first movies, which is to say it offered nothing really new or exciting.

In his movie we already know who he is and what he does. The gadgetry is nothing stunning or new. The special effects are fairly standard.

The biggest chance to go anywhere, and it was completely missed, was for him to at least get a little distracted by the cute flute player, or even the bassoon, woodwind buddy, girl. Granted we cannot let him go into full James Bond mode, but it was an opportunity to make a little something extra in the movie, and it was squandered.

All in all, I am not so wrapped up in or concerned with the stuff critics get off on. I don't need to say something special or controversial to get published. I don't need to rag on a film to feel superior to the great unwashed who pay to see it at the local cinema. I am concerned in being entertained and seeing my family equally entertained.

That said, we were mildly entertained. It will be a safe choice for family movie night from the video store. No one is going to be annoyed by it, but few will be thrilled either.

Save your theater movie, and wait to rent it.