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Agent Cody Banks 2: Destination London Review

Other Critics provided by Metacritic.com

Critics scores range from 0 to 100, with higher scores indicating more favorable reviews.

  • 2.0
    32

    out of 100

    Metascore®
    Generally unfavorable reviews
    based on a weighted average of all
    critic review scores.

  • 30

    out of 100

    The New York Times Dave Kehr

    Mr. Allen's work is compromised by an apparent inability to match his shots in a spatially coherent fashion. It's never easy to tell who is chasing whom and in which direction, a needless confusion that dampens many of the thrills and scuttles quite a few gags.

    Read Full Review

  • 30

    out of 100

    The Hollywood Reporter Michael Rechtshaffen

    In terms of inspiration or even the slightest shred of ingenuity, Banks ranks more like an 000 than an 007.

    Read Full Review

  • 38

    out of 100

    Chicago Tribune

    It's a movie, and certain liberties are bound to be taken, but having Derek stop a moped-driving Brit on the street by pulling out some sort of identification and yelling, "CIA, I need your moped!" is not the way.

    Read Full Review

  • 42

    out of 100

    Entertainment Weekly

    At bottom, there's just too much spy in young Cody, and too little kid. The writers might've taken (another) page from the ''Spy Kids'' playbook and infused the action with youth relevance.

    Read Full Review

  • 50

    out of 100

    USA Today Claudia Puig

    Stretching what was a cute concept to the breaking point.

    Read Full Review

  • 50

    out of 100

    Variety Scott Foundas

    Mildly diverting caper.

    Read Full Review

  • 63

    out of 100

    Chicago Sun-Times Roger Ebert

    Apart from funny supporting work by the inventor of the Mind Control and the guy in the "Q" role, the movie is pretty routine.

    Read Full Review

  • 70

    out of 100

    Los Angeles Times Kevin Thomas

    As ingenious and lively as the original film.

    Read Full Review

  • See all Agent Cody Banks 2: Destination London reviews at Metacritic.com

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For Families provided by Common Sense Media

OK for kids 9+

Moderately cute action comedy good for tweens.

What Parents Need to Know

Parents need to know that this slick sequel to Agent Cody Banks features lots of cartoon-style action and humor. There's little more appealing to older kids, tweens, and teens than young heroes who are stronger, smarter, and more heroic than any of the adults in the film. Cody Banks and his lovely English teen counterpart are the clever kids who save the day when the well-being of the world is at stake. The usual exaggerated spy violence is almost nonstop: explosions, martial arts, chases, fights, and falls. Occasional potty jokes and insults are heard, along with a reference to being "pickled" from "meds." And the film is heavy on product placement both visually and in dialogue. 

  • Families can talk about what Diaz says to Cody: "Trust equals death. Trust nobody -- including me." Why did he say that? How do we know who deserves our trust?
  • Howo do you think Agent Cody Banks 2 compares with the original film?
  • What do Cody and Derek learn from each other?

The good stuff
  • message true1

    Messages: Promotes "kid power" as the young heroes are relied upon to right wrongs and deliver results. The good guys defeat the greedy, tyrannical baddies. 

  • rolemodels true3

    Role models: Includes an assortment of multicultural kids, and lots of diversity among the authority figures. Parents are portrayed as gullible and entirely clueless. A nearly blind, elderly English butler is a source of comedy throughout, including in a driving sequence.

What to watch for
  • violence false3

    Violence: Lots of over-the-top heroics and exaggerated action scenes: numerous martial arts fights, suspenseful chases, captures, military attacks, careening vehicles, falls from high places, explosions, and sequences in which characters are subjected to mind control techniques. It's performed as spy-spoof gallantry, with no graphic or fatal injuries on camera.

  • sex false0

    Sex: Not an issue

  • language false1

    Language: Some insults: "Frankenstein," "whack job," "loser," and some mild potty humor, specifically involving pee and the delivery of urine samples. 

  • consumerism false3

    Consumerism: TY Beanie Babies, British Airways, Mentos candy, Pepsi, Heinz foods, Bentley autos, Big Daddy clothing, and Enyce. 

  • drugsalcoholtobacco false1

    Drinking, drugs and smoking: A mom says she’s "pickled" from her medication. Characters drink adult beverages at a business meeting. Someone is seen smoking in the background. 

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© Common Sense Media Inc. 2010. All rights reserved.

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