OxfordPress.com

Still, it was inevitable that someone was going to meld the spy-kid idea with James Bond, pumping up the romance and gadgetry, while keeping the family alternately clueless and at odds.

And here it is.

"Agent Cody Banks" boasts ruthless villains, daring exploits and techno-toys galore. The only twist on the Bond formula, besides Cody's age, is the teenager's less than suave way with scantily clad females. Director Harald Zwart does provide Cody a cleavage-popping handler (sexy, smoky-voiced Angie Harmon). And Cody (Frankie Muniz) does eventually win the heart of a wholesome high school girl, Natalie (Hilary Duff).

The effects-driven script, by Ashley Edward Miller and Zack Stentz, has 15-year-old Cody becoming a member of the CIA after being recruited and trained at a summer camp. He's adept at fighting and flying helicopters. But he can't talk to girls and he can't get a date.

So naturally, his first assignment is to get close to Natalie so he can find out what her scientist father has created -- and why the bad guys want it.

Luckily for Cody, Natalie seems to soften when he does little things for her -- like save her life.

Fans of "Malcolm in the Middle" and "Lizzie McGuire" (where Duff's Lizzie spent an episode dating Muniz playing himself) should appreciate the pairing of these young stars.

Others may wonder what happened to Muniz's sensitive turn in "My Dog Skip."

But as with Bond movies, this movie isn't aimed at the "Skip" crowd. It's for those who crave the latest technology -- and the movie doesn't disappoint there. Cody rides a deluxe BMW skateboard called the Street Carver, wears X-ray glasses, has suction-cup shoes for walking on ceilings and flies on the SoloTrek XFV (which can take off and land vertically like a helicopter). And everyone at CIA headquarters scoots around on Segway Human Transporters.

Is it entertaining? You bet. But parents should note that it also treats one gruesome murder of a bad guy and a rash of explosions as part of that entertainment.