Agent Cody Banks
MGM Distribution | Release Date: March 14, 2003 CRITIC SCORE DISTRIBUTION
41
METASCORE
Mixed or average reviews based on 24 Critic Reviews
Positive:
6
Mixed:
12
Negative:
6
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Critic Reviews

Critic scorePublicationBy date
80
Los Angeles TimesKevin Thomas
A clever and lively action-adventure with a warm sense of humor and smart dialogue that allows for an affectionate and fleet-footed satire of the classic elements of the Bond franchise. Read full review
70
VarietyScott Foundas
As a spy pic, it has more pizzazz than the last few Bond adventures, "The Sum of All Fears" or "The Recruit." Read full review
63
Chicago Sun-TimesRoger Ebert
A high-speed, high-tech kiddie thriller that's kinda cute but sorta relentless. Read full review
63
The Globe and Mail (Toronto)Stephen Cole
Of course, none of the film's geopolitical subterfuge will matter a whit to Agent Cody Banks's audience: adolescent boys in need of a surrogate hero. They will respond enthusiastically to this boisterous, well-carpentered kiddy-flick. Read full review
63
USA TodayClaudia Puig
As thrilling as the adventure sequences might be for kids, the better scenes take place on the high school campus. Read full review
63
New York Daily NewsElizabeth Weitzman
While Duff is fairly flavorless, Muniz proves that four seasons of "Malcolm" have made him a pro at navigating surreal silliness. Even when the script fails him, his well-honed instincts save the day. Read full review
60
L.A. WeeklyChuck Wilson
Unfortunately, two separate screenwriting teams...send Cody away from kid-resonant environs and off to exotic locales, culminating in an overproduced mountain-lair finale. Read full review
60
Chicago ReaderJ.R. Jones
Though the film lacks the frantic imagination of its inspiration, Robert Rodriguez's "Spy Kids" franchise, grade-schoolers should still enjoy its fresh-scrubbed humor and fantasies of youthful omnipotence. Read full review
58
Entertainment WeeklyScott Brown
The real mission is product placement, of course: The movie seems to be set against the silvery backdrop of the Sharper Image catalog. Read full review
50
TV Guide MagazineAngel Cohn
The young stars have considerable natural chemistry and do their best to make the rehashed material approachable and entertaining while maintaining their kid-friendly images. Read full review
50
Boston GlobeTy Burr
The premise of Agent Cody Banks is more than a little bizarre. Read full review
50
Wall Street JournalJoe Morgenstern
It's going to be a hit with libidinous boys, and their parents could do worse (see first review) than to watch the lavish, James Bondish gadgetry and cheerful anarchy of an action-adventure that's been made with all the finesse it needs, though not a jot more.
50
Chicago TribuneAllison Benedikt
With her low voice, jumpsuits, cleavage and Segway, Miles (Harmon) is all satire all the time, and we love her for that. Read full review
50
Dallas ObserverLuke Y. Thompson
Essentially the movie's an excuse to show off cool gadgets and co-star Angie Harmon's cleavage. Read full review
50
San Francisco ChronicleMick LaSalle
An entertaining film for kids and young teens. It's also a product of the era in which we're living, and weird times make for weird movies. Read full review
50
The New York TimesDave Kehr
This Frankenfilm comes lumbering out of the laboratory of the Danish director Harald Zwart, any trace of personality surgically removed and replaced by a fully road-tested cliché. Read full review
42
Seattle Post-IntelligencerPaul West
Everything in Agent Cody Banks, from tacky special effects, inscrutable action scenes and drab visuals (including substituting Vancouver for Seattle), panders to its audience. Read full review
40
The A.V. ClubScott Tobias
The generic intrigue and chase scenes take over, leaving poor Muniz at the mercy of stunt doubles and chintzy special effects. Read full review
30
Washington PostRita Kempley
If you only live twice, spend both lifetimes avoiding it. Read full review
30
Washington PostDesson Thomson
This movie is so wearying in its mediocrity, the inappropriate Ronica almost registers as dramatic relief. Read full review
25
Christian Science MonitorDavid Sterritt
The repetitious script -- cobbled together by no fewer than five writers -- shows interest in nothing beyond action-centered plot gimmicks and tame romantic shenanigans. Read full review
25
Philadelphia InquirerKaren Heller
Written and directed on autopilot, containing every cliche endemic to these movies: clueless parents, bratty brother, nasty rich kids, pool fight, food fight, girls who can't drive. Read full review
12
New York PostMegan Lehmann
The cheap-looking special effects, embarrassingly clunky attempts at humor and one-dimensional characters are bad enough, but the PG-rated movie's most offensive crime is its uncomfortably lewd interactions between adults and kids. Read full review
0
Austin ChronicleMarrit Ingman
Cody Banks would probably be appropriate for the 13-and-older crowd, but it’s far too dopey for teenage sophisticates. Read full review
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