This film is
a harmless way to spend a Saturday afternoon
with the family. This is not a great film,
however, I'd have to wonder if the folks who
think this is an "F" have forgotten what it's
like to be a child. This is a kid's movie and
should be rated as such. To compare it to films
made to appeal to adults is to do it an
injustice. That said, this film is still one of
many missed opportunities. It features kid stars
Frankie Muniz (as Agent Cody Banks) and the
popular Hilary Duff (as Natalie). How the film
doesn't manage to exhibit more life with these
two stars is beyond me. Clearly, I must put most
of the blame on director Harald Zwart. Zwart
blows many opportunities here to build on the
chemistry and energy of these two young stars.
Additionally, while I have no problem suspending
belief for the sake of a kid's film this film
takes realistic situations and stages them in
such a way that they become unbelievable (and
not in a good way!). The chemistry between Muniz
and his handler, Ronica, played by Angie Harmon
is also handled inappropriately. I admired not
going for the "easy" answers by turning her
maternal or making her distant. Instead,
however, the character comes off so bland that
when she comes to admire Agent Banks one has to
wonder why this has happened. Most of the other
characters perform competently in supporting
roles. The exception would be an out of place
Darrell Hammond playing "Ernie", a CIA
scientist, who appears to be doing no more than
his Saturday Night Live Bill Clinton routine
while wearing a lab coat. It was distracting and
out of place in this film. Overall, I still
think this is a decent family film with a couple
scenes that might be a bit scary for younger
children. It's rated "PG" for action violence,
mild language and some sensuality (Harmon tends
to wear "tight" clothing...and she wears them
well!). I have a feeling Muniz could have done
much more with this role under the right
director and with a better script.
©
Written by Richard Propes
TC Candler's Comment
People keep
trying to tell me that some kid named Frankie
Muniz was in this film?!? All I remember
seeing was Angie Harmon and Hilary Duff in cute
outfits. In all seriousness though... do
you remember this so-called Muniz kid?
Jacob
Hall's Comment
N/A
