If Looks Could Kill

Eighteen-year-old Michael Corben spends most of his time partying and drinking instead of finishing high school. His carefree lifestyle threatens to derail his graduation until he learns he must earn a French credit. The looming requirement sets his plan in motion to join a summer program in France.

The French teacher Mrs. Grober and the French Club announce they will travel to France for summer school. Michael must accompany them and participate in order to earn the required French credit. This sets the stage for an unlikely cross-continental adventure.

At the airport, a CIA agent named Michael Corben is killed by Ilsa Grunt. Our Michael is mistaken for the fallen agent, and the mix-up thrusts him into a dangerous world of espionage.

On the flight to Paris, he is treated as the CIA agent and is boarded in first class. Upon arrival, British Intelligence quietly escorts him away, enforcing the cover story he must play along with.

The late Agent Corben's mission had involved Steranko, who at first appears not to be evil. Steranko is secretly murdering European finance ministers as part of a plan to steal all of Europe's gold and mint his own coins.

Michael learns he will enjoy high-tech espionage perks, including X-ray glasses, exploding chewing gum, and sneakers with suction cups. He also gains access to a Lotus Esprit as part of the new role. At first, he revels in the perks before the danger becomes personal.

Steranko dispatches deadly assassins: Zigesfeld with a prosthetic gold hand, and Areola Canasta who uses a venomous pet scorpion. The threats intensify as Michael navigates his new life as a spy.

Steranko captures Michael's teacher Mrs. Grober and his classmates, holding them hostage at a remote castle stronghold. Michael must plan a rescue while the mastermind executes his broader scheme for Europe’s gold.

Michael teams up with Mariska, the daughter of Agent Blade who was murdered by Steranko. Together they vow to take down Steranko and save the captives and Europe’s gold.

Michael is briefly captured but escapes Steranko's forces. He rescues Mrs. Grober and the others and defeats Zigesfeld in a climactic confrontation.

Steranko kidnaps Mariska and attempts to flee with the gold in a Eurocopter helicopter. Michael pursues, rescues Mariska, and Steranko is killed when he falls from the helicopter as the craft and its gold crash down on him.

With Steranko defeated, Mrs. Grober agrees to award Michael the French credit he needs. The adventure closes with his graduation path secured and a new sense of responsibility.