Agent Cody Banks

Yes, this 'tween espionage comedy is a Spy Kids clone--but it's not the trendy cash-in fodder you might expect. True, the plot--some ill-defined nonsense about nanobots that eat American missile parts being distributed around the country in ice cubes--doesn't stand up to logical scrutiny, yet Agent Cody Banks has a comical, junior-James Bond spirit that's hard to resist. Of course, Cody Banks (played by titular Malcolm in the Middle star Frankie Muniz) isn't exactly of 007's caliber: he's only 15, lives with his parents (who don't know he's a spy), and is hopelessly inept at talking to girls. And that's a problem since he's assigned to get close to the adorable daughter (Hilary Duff) of a scientist who is unknowingly developing those nanobots for the motiveless villain (the ominously tan Ian McShane). The writers and director Harald Zwart could have tried harder to plug the frustrating holes in the story, but thanks to its tongue-in-cheekiness and charming performances from Muniz and Duff, Agent Cody Banks is enjoyable in spite of its shortcomings. A strong optional purchase. [Note: DVD extras include both widescreen and full screen versions, audio commentary by director Harald Zwart and costars Frankie Muniz and Angie Harmon, featurettes on “Developing Agent Cody Banks” (5 min.), production design (6 min.), “Ronica's Closet” (3 min.) on Harmon's costumes, “A Few Dope Items” (5 min.) on Cody's special gear, music and score (4 min.), a 12-minute “Director's Diary” making-of featurette, the seven-minute featurette “Frankie Muniz Going Big,” the six-minute “Agent Action” featurette, the brief cast/crew advice segment “How to Talk to Girls,” two-minute featurette “Cool Makeup Tips by Hilary Duff,” two storyboard to film comparisons, three multi-angle sequences, six deleted scenes, three minutes of outtakes, a two-section photo gallery, two Easter eggs, a teaser for Agent Cody Banks 2, and trailers. [Bottom line: a fine extras package for a better than expected film for young adults.] (R. Blackwelder)[Blu-ray Review—May 31, 2016—Olive, 102 min., PG, Blu-ray: $29.95—Making its first appearance on Blu-ray, 2003's Agent Cody Banks features a fine transfer and a DTS-HD 2.0 soundtrack. Extras include a “Director's Diary” with filmmaker Harald Zwart (13 min.), deleted scenes (11 min.), a production design featurette (7 min.), the behind-the-scenes segments “The Music” (5 min.) and “Developing” (5 min.), a cast read-through (3 min.), and outtakes (3 min.). Bottom line: a solid extras package for this uneven family film.]