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JOHNNY ENGLISH REBORN
Cast: Rowan Atkinson, Gillian Anderson, Pierce Brosnan, Dominic West, and Rosamund Pike
Directed by: Oliver Parker
MPAA Rating: for mild action violence, rude humor, some language and brief sensuality.
Genre: Adventure, Comedy, Sequel
Running Time: 1hr 41 minutes
Opening Date: October 21st, 2011 (wide)
Distributed by: Universal Pictures
By John Delia
It’s very hard to repeat a performance of a character after an 8-year hiatus from the role and Rowan Atkinson, as Johnny English just isn’t as funny anymore. Maybe its because I love Atkinson as Mr. Bean and in Johnny English Reborn the lack of the amazing wordless dialogue in Bean’s facial expressions are hard to forget. Or it just may be that seeing another spoof on James Bond just doesn’t make it anymore.
In this sequel we find super spy MI-7 Johnny English setting out to stop international assassins from killing the Chinese Premiere and causing chaos among nations. Now with new martial arts skills that he has perfected since his last mission he’s ready for anything. Armed with some not so amazing gadgets, he leaps into action. When he finds himself headed for disaster, Johnny must turn the tide back in his favor.
Atkinson really disappointed me with this go around and maybe he should have retired after his last Mr. Bean movie at the top of the heap. He really doesn’t shine under the direction of Oliver Parker who strikes out yet with Johnny English Reborn after failing miserably in his last three outings.
Parker salts his production with a couple of notable actors including the gorgeous Rosamond Pike (Barney’s Version) and the dashing Dominic West (300), but from there on the cast dwindles into television actors and upcoming newbie’s. He isn’t able to create the laughter necessary to keep the adults happy or the kids bopping in their seats more than a few times.Â
Maybe it’s the worn-out script as it’s somewhat like The Pink Panther, Get Smart, Spies Like Us, The Spy Next Door, Spy Hard and so many more action comedies. However, movies with take off’s of James Bond have made it big at the box-office especially The Austin Powers franchise that made nearly $300 million. So we’ll just have to see if America needs a rebirth of Johnny English.
The argument here may be moot considering that the film is aimed at a juvenile audience that spends a lot at the box office. Just give them some falling down sight gags, a few dumb adversaries that can’t shoot straight, a foolish incredibly impossible escape and there’s money waiting to be banked.
The film is rated PG for mild action violence, rude humor, for language and brief sensuality. Oh yes, the brief sensuality was surly thrown in there for adults to at least keep awake during the showing.
FINAL ANALYSIS: If you must have your youngsters see this film, c’est la vie (Pardon my French). (D)