Fun and playful, the film fires onto the screen with youthful exuberance.

Trained by the CIA in secret during "summer camp" fronts, Cody (Muniz) can drive a car up on two wheels, skateboard through a full pipe, and karate chop any given group of disorderlies; the only problem is -- he's weak in the knees around pretty girls. And that's exactly what his first assignment prescribes.

It's this fault that makes Banks so endearing, and keeps the film centered. Unfortunately at times it strays from its own innocence with surprisingly inappropriate dips into sexual innuendo. And then there are a couple of lulls. But, mostly, like "Spy Kids," "Banks" plays on secret agent movies of past generations. There's nothing new in the plot progressions here. The fun has to be in watching young people play the roles. And for the most part -- it is fun.

Some highlights include: a "Blair Witch"-esque last transmission from an agitated CIA agent in immediate danger. Mr. Yen's driver's Ed class. And I enjoyed the skateboard chase to rescue a silly toddler in a runaway Volvo. Lastly, the music is punchy, appropriate and carries when visuals lag.

Muniz says, "I'd never done a big action character. I saw 'The Bourne Identity,' and Matt Damon has all these fight scenes where he beats up bad guys -- I kept thinkin', 'Wow, that's so awesome! I'll be doing those moves...' Helping girls, Saving the world, cool cars and gadgets -- it's all pretty awesome."

Producer Seller said he told his 8-year-old daughter Natalie about the film and she said, "You've just to get Lizzie McGuire. Dad, she's perfect!" Hence, Hilary Duff as "Natalie."