Monday, September 26, 2011

MOVIE REVIEW ... JOHNNY ENGLISH REBORN

 

johnny-english-reborn-movie-poster-2011-1020703658Rowan Atkinson sure likes biding his time.  With 10 years elapsing between Mr. Bean films and 8 since the previous Johnny English movie, one cannot accuse him of being in a rush.  Maybe that’s a good way to go as his eye for perfection ensures his work is as best as can be.  Unfortunately it appears missing in this sequel to his silly spy spoof as it fails to match the high-mark he set himself in his illustrious TV work.

When MI7 receive word a group of international assassins aim to eliminate a world leader at a conference they call on the infamous Johnny English (Rowan Atkinson).  A very strange spy with unusual methods, his ways have successfully nabbed evil doers.  With various hi-tech weapons at his disposal and helped by various agents including the lovely Kate (Rosamund Pike), English cuts a swathe through the criminal world whether anyone wants him to or not.

Johnny English is less reborn and more rehashed in this follow-up.  Not that the idea isn’t any good it’s just been done better before.  The first instalment said all it needed with its riff on the Austin Powers/James Bond franchises working well.  Despite some good moments, ‘Reborn’ walks a familiar path with the sparkling energy and engaging wit missing.  Given the original film’s writers aren’t around this time  maybe this is a cause as the episodic plot fails to fully maximise the humorous build-ups.

Others wanting amiable laughs should find it as Atkinson and company revel in the continual silliness.  The performers are perhaps the best aspect as they gamely face-off against Atkinson’s continual buffoonery.  One wishes he would be tougher with his comedy as his role in Blackadder and Not the Nine O’Clock showed him to be a comedian of great timing.  Some of that is apparent in Reborn although it’d be nice if he were more daring in his choices and not take the bland ‘softly-softly’ approach many of his contemporaries have done.

Johnny English Reborn may raise a few chuckles even if it is rather forgettable.  Since Mr. Bean and Johnny English have been given a fair go maybe it’s time for Atkinson to revisit Blackadder in a big screen movie which may allow him to sharpen a comedic style absent here.

Movie Review Rating  5 / 10

Movie Review by Patrick Moore

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