AGENT CODY BANKS 2: DESTINATION LONDON (2004)

MORGAN'S RATING

Frankie Muniz returns as super cool spy Cody Banks in the adventurous sequel to Agent Cody Banks. In Cody's new adventure, a rogue CIA agent has stolen a top secret mind-control device and Cody has to go undercover in London to get it back. Posing as student at an elite boarding school, Cody has to keep the other kids from discovering his true identity while infiltrating covert hide outs, spying on his sinister target -- and going to class. With all-new gadgets, high-flying action, exciting chases, and a wisecracking new handler, Cody's in a race against time -- he has to retrieve the device before the world's leaders fall under the control of a diabolical villain.

Frankie Muniz (Cody Banks), Anthony Anderson (Derek), Hannah Spearritt (Emily), Cynthia Stevenson (Mrs. Banks), Daniel Roebuck (Mr. Banks), Anna Chancellor (Jo Kenworth), Keith Allen (Diaz), James Faulkner (Kenworth), David Kelly (Trival), Santiago Segura (Santiago), Connor Widdows (Alex Banks), Keith David (CIA Director), Jack Stanley (Ryan), Joshua Brody (Bender), Sarah McNicholas (Marisa), Paul Kaye (Neville), Harry Burton (Westminster Headmaster), Julian Firth (Isambard Jerkalot), Martyn Ellis (Welsh Security Guard), Damien Hirst (Arty Fart Security Guard), Mark Williams (Inspector Crescent), James Dreyfus (Gordon), Patti Love (Woman), Henry Miller (Moped Man), Sam Douglas (US President), Alfie Owen-Allen (Berkhamp on Double Bass), Scott Hinds (Tourist, uncredited).

ADVENTURE IS AN ATTITUDE.

PRODUCTION INFORMATION

DIRECTOR: Kevin Allen. WRITERS: Don Rhymer, Dylan Sanders and Harald Zwart, and based on the characters created by Jeffrey Jurgensen. PRODUCERS: David Glasser, Andreas Klein, David Nicksay, Guy Oseary and Dylan Sellers. CO-PRODUCER: Robert Meyer Burnett. EXECUTIVE PRODUCERS: Jason Alexander, Jennifer Birchfield-Eick, Kerry David, Danny Gold, Michael Jackman, Madonna, Mark Morgan and Bob Yari. ORIGINAL MUSIC: Mark Thomas (score) and Martin Ace (song theme). DISTRIBUTOR: MGM

CRITICAL COMMENTS

FACTS

"Even by kiddie-flick standards, this one, directed by Kevin Allen, is astonishingly lame." -- Jay Boyar, Orlando Sentinel

RELEASE DATE: March 12th, 2004 (USA) DVD RELEASE DATE: July 13th, 2004 (USA) BOX OFFICE OPENING: $8.0 million (USA) BOX OFFICE RESULT: $23.5 million (USA) BUDGET: $26 million (USA) SHOOTING DATES: June 2003 -- August 2003 - Agent Cody Banks director Harald Zwart was originally set to helm this sequel however he left the production over budgetary differences with the studio. MGM had agreed to spend only $1 million more on this film's budget, despite the first film's box office take of $44.8 million, and Zwart felt that might affect the overall quality of the finished product. He was replaced by Kevin Allen. - The makers wanted to use"London Calling" by The Clash, but couldn't afford the rights. Director Kevin Allen got hold of fellow Jack*, Martin Ace of "Man", to write "Destination London" instead. (*native of Swansea).

"With lots of cool gadgets, plenty of silliness and a clever concept guaranteed to appeal to preteens, this should be an unflagging, high-octane romp." -- Elizabeth Weitzman, New York Daily News

"Here's just about everything a 6-year-old spy would hope to find in a kiddie-espionage flick, with just a twinge of romance, but nothing serious to interrupt Cody's undoubtedly continuing career." -- Susan Walker, Toronto Star

"Kids should be reasonably diverted for a couple of hours, but odds are they'll have forgotten the whole thing by the next morning." -- Dan Via, Washington Post

"As ingenious and lively as the original film." -- Kevin Thomas, Los Angeles Times