Johnny English (2003)
Starring: Rowan Atkinson, John Malkovich, Natalie Imbruglia, Ben Miller
Director: Peter Howitt
Running Time: 104 minutes
US MPAA rating: N/AUK BBFC rating: pg
Comedy, (Bond Spoof)
It's difficult not to fear for any movie re-treading the spy spoof path - are there really any decent jokes left that haven't already been done to death by either "Austin Powers" or "Naked Gun"? The answer, if "Johnny English" is anything to go by, is a resounding no.
Rowan Atkinson, who these days seems intent on covering up his genuine comic talent with endless Mr Bean-like face-pulling, is the bungling MI7 agent of the title. Assisted by trusty sidekick Bough (the marvellous Ben Miller) and slinky love interest Lorna Campbell (Aussie songstress Natalie Imbruglia), he aims to expose the attempts of villainous Frenchman Pascal Sauvage (John Malkovich with a dodgy over-played accent) to take over as King.
Part of the problem is that, even allowing for comedic license, the plot just doesn't make any sense. Despite tapping into long-standing anti-French feeling (Atkinson: "the only thing the French should be allowed to host is an invasion" - how topical!), there seems to be absolutely no resistance to the idea of a Frenchman being crowned King. And there are so many holes in the villain's supposed master plan that you suspect even a hero as incompetent as English would have little difficulty in foiling the whole thing.
While there are a few semi-funny moments, this idea (which was originally used in short sketch form to advertise credit cards) just isn't strong enough to carry an entire movie. Imbruglia and Miller are both solid in their limited roles, but Atkinson has few good lines to deliver and Malkovich's performance is nothing short of cringe-worthy.
It's Got: A promising big screen debut from Miss Imbruglia, in her first acting gig since those halcyon days when she played Beth in "Neighbours".
It Needs: To brush up on its geography and stop irritating this reviewer by continually confusing "England" with "Britain".
Alternatives: Any of the Austin Powers or Naked Gun movies, Bean, The Parole Officer, Bernard and the Genie, King Ralph, In Like Flint, Our Man Flint
Summary: Unoriginal, non-sensical and not particularly funny.
Review by Gary Panton
Review Date: 1st May 2003
External Links
Johnny English at the IMDB
Comments7 Comments |
| Unlike mr. Panton, we really liked it very much. We now have seen the dvd 4 or 5 times, so we know all the funny moments, but still we laugh. We think the film has a big deal of mr Bean in it but more subtile. So if you love Bean, you will love Johnny English |
| Comment by:- Mo | | 04 August 2004 | ip: logged |
| THIS ROCKS |
| Comment by:- Anonymous | | 18 September 2004 | ip: logged |
| IV'E BEEN DROPPED IN THE CALARHARI DESSERT CARRYING NOTHING BUT A TOOTHPICK AND A PACKET OF SHERBERT LEMONS AND I STILL FOUND MY WAY TO BULLAWIO BEFORE RAMADAM!! |
| Comment by:- JARV | | 18 September 2004 | ip: logged |
| BOUGH TAKE CHARLLLGE |
| Comment by:- JARVO | | 18 September 2004 | ip: logged |
| DO YOU OR DO YOU NOT HAVE TATTOOED ON YOUR BOTTOM JESUS IS COMING LOOK BUSY!! |
| Comment by:- JARVEY | | 18 September 2004 | ip: logged |
| Bloody funny all the way round |
| Comment by:- Mark Espinola | | 29 September 2004 | ip: logged |
| TOO FUNNY THAT I NEARLY FAINTED TRYING TO CATCH BREATH |
| Comment by:- TIM | | 24 November 2004 | ip: logged |
