Agent Cody Banks 2: Destination London. Does anyone really need to read a review of this movie? It doesn't really matter what Roger Ebert thinks of a movie like this, does it? This is obviously a hastily thrown together sequel designed to cash-in on the surprise success of the original, before Frankie Muniz gets too old to appeal to children. This is a sequel that has the kiddies in the cross-hairs, which is all well and good because they're the only ones capable of fully enjoying a film this disposable and banal. In fact I ought to smack myself for even using the word "banal" as a description for this film.

Actually this movie is interesting in that it serves as a metaphorical mirror for the phase of it's star's career. Frankie Muniz has pretty much reached that point where his mature-savvy and "everykid appeal" is about to expire. Soon he'll enter that developmental black-hole that has claimed so many teen phenoms before him (e.g. Anthony Michael Hall, Fred Savage) whose transition into manhood was too awkward to sustain their careers.

Like the aforementioned stars, Muniz' ticket to success has been his adult-like approach to adolescence, his wise-beyond-his-years schtick has served him well, but it comes with a pretty short shelf-life, as it only works if you're "not" an adult. And to transcend this yawning void, such an actor needs to carry his youthful cuteness into his 20s - it worked for DiCaprio, but Muniz has never been a good-looking kid. In fact, what makes his Malcolm in the Middle character tick, is that he manages to overcome his relative homliness with his wit and personality.

How does all this balderdash figure into teenage espionage? Let's just say that as career moves go - this isn't going to be the film that sees Muniz gracefully make that transition from child-star into young leading manhood. The first film had a little bit of zip to it, because it played to the Muniz/Malcolm factor alot more satisfactorily. He still looked young enough to get away with playing his puberty card. There was alot of furtive sexual undercurrent swirling beneath the surface of Muniz' interaction with Angie Harmon (his thirtysomething hottie of a handler) and Hilary Duff (his ass-ignment). Had it been a smartly scripted film, the original could have been really good. As it is, the awkward sexual subtleties in that one made for at least a few mildly amusing moments for the grown-up fans of his Malcolm character.

In the sequel, they've erased any evidence of this aspect of Cody Banks free agency. In Angie Harmon's place the sequel offers Anthony Anderson (Kangeroo Jack) and this time the "Mission Implausible" is simply to save the world. To save the world in the original, he had to make it to first base with Hilary Duff. In the sequel they've taken the bat out of Cody's hands altogether. He's been intentionally walked in order to keep the proceedings free from anything that might smack of entertainment for anyone over the age of 10. Which is fine, because, lets face it, this whole franchise is just a cheap knock off of Spy Kids.

I believe I gave the original a C- (just to be nice), but whatever you do, don't pay to see this movie in a theater - this is the kind of crap that generally goes straight to video. By the time you've taken your comfy red seat with your popcorn, Red Vines and beverages for the whole brood, you're in at least 35 bucks. No matter how much this might appeal to your instincts as a kind and generous family man - just say no. This one's a rental for the kids. If I told you otherwise I'd be a Big Fat Liar.