Scott Weinberg

(2013-05-24 19:06:29)

Fans of the English comedian should obviously find much more to like, as will pre-teens who get the giggles from his broad physical schtick.

El_Guapo9

(2013-05-24 12:53:54)

Jesus is coming, look busy!

Rowan Atkinson does about as good of a spy he can do in "Johnny English,"and while the film provides enough laughs, some of the story and jokes justfall flat. In a miraculous turn of events following Agent One's surprisingdeath, every last one of the other English spies are killed in an explosion. All except one, that is. Johnny English at long last gets his chance tolive out his dream as spy extraordinaire, saving the day and wooing thewomen. The fact that English is clearly out of his element and utterlyclueless is pretty much expected.While the plot seems decent enough for an actual spy movie, some of theproblems are pretty glaring. A lot of the jokes are seen coming from milesaway while the plot twists are also very predictable.Don't get me wrong, the film is an admirable spoof of spy films and I foundit to be pretty funny. There just seemed to be too many breaks in thecomedy and too many predictable, cliched scenes for me. This is probably apretty good movie for kids who like comedy and spy films as it is prettytame (except for the painfully unfunny "crawling up through the toilets"scene).Overall it is ok, nothing great but not too bad.5 out of 10.

Peter Hayes

(2013-05-23 12:26:42)

Cheap brain-dead tat written with the aid of a pocket calculator.

Through a series of events too far-fetched to detail the British SecretService have only one agent at their disposal - Johnny English - tostop the theft of the crown jewels and hinder a Frenchman's plan toascend to the British throne.Sadly - for us and them - the agent is also a face-pulling fool.Silly comedy is a strange fish in that you can't really attack anythingthat happens with regards the plot. They are bullet proof. When you say"this makes no sense on any level", people reply with "Yes - but it's asilly comedy."What are the rules of this bonkers world then? Where is the logic thatI am supposed to cling on to? Can he fly or change in to farmyardanimals? Sorry, but I need at least some logic - even its-own - to getme from one scene to the next!Here we have the premise doesn't exist anywhere but on film: The herois a complete and utter idiot, but somehow no one else notices this,even though he screws up everything! Have they - his employers - beenhypnotised? How come they don't, sort of, notice that he is animbecile?(We are told "he normally only works in an office." Well obviously anoffice is a place where being able to function on any level isoptional! This guy would strangle someone to death just by picking upthe phone. But hey, I am giving the writers free material for thesequel!)Here the villain is John Malkovich but this fact can't have been knownto the writers, because if they had known they would have given himsome proper dialogue. However given the quality of the rest of it, thismight turn out to be a blessing in disguise!Despite being British-based it involves a lot of well known places andlandmarks so it will play well in Middle America. It is not so muchLondon as clichГѓВ© London. We even have the Queen! Add to that the subJames Bond clichГѓВ©s (gadgets, car chase, sexy girl) and you find thatthere is nothing at all happening here that hasn't been done a thousandtimes before - seriously and not so seriously.Natalie Imbruglia plays the "sex interest" role - but acts like she hasno interest in anything at all and certainly not English. I have seemsome wooden performances in my time but this one lays her open towood-worm!Rowan Atkinson went in to a clinic for depression after this and Ithink I can see why. He had to watch it more than once. At least he gotpaid for watching it - not like the poor suckers who liked Bean(Atkinson's big screen TV spin-off) a lot and went hoping for more ofthe same. Hope they enjoyed the popcorn and came home to find the housesafe-and-sound!This film is proof that Atkinson has pulled all the silly faces he canget away with. He is a millionaire now - so I hope the shrinks and hisassistants (and assistant assistants) can talk him out of making anymore of this cynical quick-buck junk and return to plain acting.While face-pullers like Jerry Lewis had no acting talent and,therefore, nowhere to go when the laughs dried up, Atkinson has. Thetragedy is that the guy has a lot of talent the non UK public neversee.

vip_ebriega

(2013-05-23 00:02:26)

Old hat spy spoof gets an 'English' treatment.

My Take: Rowan Atkinson's wild and hilarious antics saves thisspy-spoof formula from grating. How long can audiences buy a formula that's been overused to the death?Patience can be tested in JOHNNY English, a spy spoof that has beendone before. Surely it wasn't long before the last in the AUSTIN POWERSseries has been released at the time. JOHNNY English has all the feeland look of a tired formula. The laughs are not quite as funny, andsome of which have been overused. The movie has that deja 'vu feel itcan't escape. But it has something going for it, and it comes under thename of Rowan "Mr. Bean" Atkinson. What Atkinson does here is simplywear the old hat, and does his act at his best. Just for Rowan'santics, I can give this a mild recommendation.After a tragedy that kills off all the agents of the British ScretIntelligence, MI7's head Pegasus (Tim Pigott-Smith) had no choice butto put Johnny English (Atkinson), the last remaining "agent", on aninvestigation case to find the Crown Jewels, which were robbed from theunfoldment. The culprit is a mysterious Frenchman named Pascal Sauvage(John Malkovich), who plans to be the next heir to the throne ofEngland.What the movie revolves around on is simply a number of physical humorand crude jokes that Atkinson does. But what he does, he does fine.Rowan Atkinson carries the movie on his back. While there are a numberof popular co-stars like Natalie Imbruglia and Ben Miller, as English'ssidekick, but it's mostly Atkinson who does the job. The laughs all goto him, and as is much of the script. Mostly he's funny, hisincompetence is irresistible. Besides, you don't go watching his Mr.Bean act for cleverness right? JOHNNY English is a tired effort. Theworld doesn't need another spy spoof, but if you still have thepatience, JOHNNY English is not a letdown of what it is. It's not meantfor repetitive viewings, but it gets my passing grade.Rating: *** out of 5.

Pablo Villaca

(2013-05-22 09:53:26)

Por mais que tente, Johnny English nГЈo Г© pГЎreo para o Inspetor Closeau, Derek Flint ou Austin Powers. AliГЎs, nГЈo Г© pГЎreo sequer para Mr. Bean.

(2013-05-21 16:45:10)

OUR MAN IN ENGLAND

It seems to be filled with nasty Hollywood inside jokes that are never shared with the public. A scene with a take on Hitchcock's Cary Grant disrupting a private funeral service seems strangely real. Another, with our man English demanding a secret message written on someones's body be revealed, is hilarious in a psychotic sort of way. Often it is only typical of the spy spoof genre but when it is funny, it is very funny.

(2013-05-21 07:22:08)

Rowan Atkinson rocks!!!

This review is from: Johnny English (Widescreen Edition) (DVD) Rowan Atkinson is so funny. I love this movie and all his other stuff. This was such a good buy and for a great price too!

jiujitsu_jesus

(2013-05-20 18:29:25)

New-age hilarity

JOHNNY English is a comedy, pure and simple. It makes no pretensions tocomplexity, beauty or scriptwriting prowess, but is entirely devoted tothe entertainment of the viewer. Such comedies are becomingincreasingly rare nowadays, and this fine example deserves all theaccolades it receives.Rowan Atkinson rules the screen in his customary manner as JohnnyEnglish, a bumbling British bureaucrat who is transferred to MI5 afterunwillingly causing the death of one of its top agents. Assisted by abeautiful and sassy Interpol officer (Natalie Imbruglia), he doesbattle with Pascal Sauvage (John Malkovich), a nasty French businesstycoon who has his eyes on the British crown. This is a uniqueperformance from Atkinson, meshing the best comedic attributes of hisbest known characters into a coherent whole. Johnny English has all therib-tickling sardonic wit of Blackadder and the unpredictable slapstickskill of Mr. Bean, and comedy fans of all tastes are sure to findsomething to their liking in this character.Aussie songbird Natalie Imbruglia, however, proves that she's a muchbetter musician than an actress. She's not bad, but she fails to reachthe high threshold set by her co-stars. I have not seen any of herother films, so I don't know whether this is a reflection of herskills, or whether she was simply miscast. Regardless, her incongruousperformance detracts from the dialogue somewhat, leaving the moviefeeling a little unbalanced. She looks great, though! "Mad" John Malkovich is characteristically quirky and extremelyconvincing as the villain - his French accent has improved out of sightsince THE MAN IN THE IRON MASK. Providing a good background performanceis Ben Miller as English's sidekick Bough, his consistent, pervasivedry humour a good foil to Atkinson's exuberance.JOHNNY English requires no particular attitude or mindset whatsoever.It is a comedy, pure and simple, and an excellent one at that. 9/10.

A.O. Scott

(2013-05-20 16:16:02)

[Atkinson] is like a sketch-comedy troupe rolled into one body.

(2013-05-20 05:13:27)

Hilarious

This review is from: Johnny English (Amazon Instant Video) Johnny English is a hilarious movie. I had never seen any of these movies before and when I saw the previews of the newest one that came out I had to see others. We laughed throughout the entire movie.

(2013-05-19 03:36:32)

Could have been better!

Rowan Atkinson is better known for his role as clueless Mr. Bean orRaymond from "A Thin Blue Line," British comedies that play popularlyhere in America too. Rowan Atkinson (he should be knighted or honoredbut that will come eventually) is one Britain's best known comedicactors. Unfortunately, he does not have the look of a leading man toget better roles. As Johnny English, this film is a spoof of the JamesBond genre. The film has great authentic London locations and alsostars the deliciously evil John Malkovich as the man who steals theQueen's jewels in order to reclaim his family's throne. The film doeshave some laughs along the way. It could be funnier but I still enjoyedit. I love watching Rowan Atkinson in anything. He truly is one of thegreat British comic actors of our time and his talent is surelyunderused in today's film industry.

Prophet Tenebrae

(2013-05-18 10:02:15)

God save us from such diabolical films as this

The Austin Powers franchise has demonstrated that really demonstratedthat - much like the horror genre - the spy genre is so rife withself-parody that there is not that much which one can do.When a film rotates solely around the tediously predictable idiocy ofone man, there can be little of much amusement and as this film isallegedly a "comedy" then there can be precious little point inwatching it. While having rusty nails hammered into your legs wouldprobably be more painful, it probably wouldn't be by much.Please, don't watch this film.It really isn't anything to do with comedy. It's just so terrible thatyou're wasting your time. If you want to be entertained, watchsomething, anything else.

SickOfIt

(2013-05-18 10:05:17)

NOT BEAN - and I mean that in a good way

Terrific, hilarious movie! The scene at the cemetery was worth the price of admission alone! ("Yes, we're going in the van now, Gunther.") Don't confuse this character - by the remarkably talented Rowan Atkinson - with his also-funny Mr. Bean, however. Johnny English is more in the vein of Blackadder, with a dash more humility. Wonderful film!!

guyb

(2013-05-17 23:02:38)

Poor Peter Sellers Wannabe

We used to enjoy this guy on his TV show of yesteryear. But his forayinto the movies has been pretty pathetic. Johnny English is noexception. It seems that he is trying to remake the great Pink Panthermovies. He is really falling short. How could anyone think they couldcompete with Peter Sellers. Sellers was one of the brilliant comic geniuses of the century. In this movie the gags has no punch or followthrough. In the Pink Panther, once Sellers got you going, he just never let up. I can recall laughing for a long time. In Johnny English, I justgiggled. You can just pass on this flick.

William C. Uchtman

(2013-05-16 21:02:39)

Excellent Rowan Atkinson

I'm a big Rowan fan. He's possibly the funniest man to come out ofGreat Britain since Dave Allen and Benny Hill. After the hollowanti-climax of "Mr. Bean" and his limitations in "Rat Race," it wasinteresting to see him go all out in a full spy spoof following thelimited potential of his spy commercials. "Johnny English" is anamusing farce with a good action and intrigue plot, but unfortunatelyconstantly embarrassing Rowan the main hero constantly discovering theerror of his hurried assumptions and cockamamie plans isn't greatcomedy. The movie actually seems like one long joke on the French andsometimes insulting to both the French and British cultures, but Iguess they get the joke; it's still a heck of a lot better than thatgod-awful Austin Powers which somehow spawned two more unfortunatesequels. Obviously, Johnny English knows he's not really a great spyand he works hard to create that image, but the humor works when he'ssurprised when things actually work for him. Ben Miller plays theclueless but obedient Bough who assists Johnny and takes his lead;after all, Johnny is his best friend and he cares a lot for him anddoesn't want to see him get hurt. Natalie Imbruglia is a beautiful andwhimsically experienced special agent to share the plot and provide thelove interest. John Malkovich at first seems miscast, but he portraysthe villain with an ironic sense of whimsy. He's funny because he's theone person who gives Johnny the best piece of ill-timed logic: "If Iwas you, I would not go there." just before Johnny embarrasses himselfand everyone else for the hundredth and worst time. Despite a few oddconveniences providing plot points and moments of embarrassing comedy,"Johnny English" is a very funny comedy and one very worthy ofdeserving a sequel.

Rob

(2013-05-16 16:51:54)

Unbelievably bad.

God this was a terrible movie. I can't believe that some people actuallyfound it or even bits of it funny. I was just plain embarrassed and I wascringing throughout the whole thing. It's no wonder Rowan Atkinson had some sort of nervous breakdown after thiscame out. He probably realised that he was largely responsible for creatingone of the worst movies in cinematic history. He was not funny in any way.He wasn't cool in any way. His whole performance I felt was very labouredand forced and unoriginal and stupid and just whatever...Natalie Imbruglia will never act in another movie ever again, I promise.She's easy on the eye and I think she's a great singer but she should neveract again. I felt so weird watching her supposedly falling "in love" withRowan Atkinson. That was just absurd and totally unconvincing.I have no idea what John Malkovic, one of the greatest actors of the 21stcentury, was thinking. Why would he agree to play some sort of aristocraticbillionare french retard? Why would he put on that insane accent? why? Why?WHY? I rate it 1 out of a million.

(2013-05-15 21:08:21)

A good home video movie...

OK, I admit it, I am a huge Rowan Atkinson fan. Over here, in the States, he is known mostly for being Mr. Bean and has made a nice character acting career playing loveable idiots. However, I like him best when he is playing smart, evil characters like Balckadder (one of the best shows ever!). As Johnny English, he is again a loveable idiot - this time working for the British Secret Service. They could have found a better plot for a movie as James Bond spoofs have been done to death by this point. But, as a home video movie, I have to admit that I laughed aloud in places. Basically, if you are a fan of Atkinson (or British humor in general) you will be pleasantly diverted by this movie. If you are ignorant of British comedy, don't start with this movie or you will simply not get it.

(2013-05-15 11:05:16)

Funny in its own way...

This review is from: Johnny English (Widescreen Edition) (DVD) This movie definitely has its moments, but it pales in comparison to any of his other work. If you purchase the movie expecting Black Adder or Mr. Bean type antics, then you'll be disappointed. Still worth having in my collection of Rowan's works, but not his best in my opinion.

Jack Mathews

(2013-05-14 19:10:32)

There weren't enough good laughs for me to recommend it to anyone other than the most devoted Beanheads.

Robert

(2013-05-14 15:16:42)

I spy a not too bad comedy.

* Terrible * * Below Par * * * Not Bad * * * * Good * * * * *BrilliantWARNING *POSSIBLE SPOILERS*Johnny English, Gentleman spy.Nah, actually it's more like JohnnyEnglish,complete pillock.That's more or less the premise of comedian,RowanAtkinsons latest movie.A character taken from a series of adverts forBarclay card over here in the UK some years ago, Johnny English(In theadverts he was called Latham)is Britains answer to Inspector Clouseau andFrank Drebin.Supposedly a secret agent,(even though he is confined to adeskjob behind the highly secured walls of MI5)Johnny can do nothing butdreamof a life of daring do,amazing escapes,brilliant gadgets and the addedbonusof fast cars and attractive woman.That all changes however when all of MI5's top agents are killed whenattending the funeral of a fellow agent who was killed in the line ofduty.Every single one bar Johnny (He was side tracked by his boss who wasspeaking with him) is killed in an explosion caused by the planting of abomb within the late man's coffin.With no other agents left Johnny's boss Pegasus(Tim Piggot Smith)has noother choice but to asign the incompetent nit wit and his young assistantBough(Ben Miller)to the task of protecting the crown Jewels.However things don't go well and the prescious royal antique is stolen byhenchman of the evil french millionaire,Pascal Savague(John Malkovich)adistant relation to the royal family who also owns a chain of prisonsworldwide.He plots to some how over throw the Queen and become Great Britainsnext monarch.As the story moves along Atkinson's Johnny meets Natalie Imbrughlia'sgorgeous,intelligent and feisty agent from Interpole who begins to ratherstrangely fall for the oaf that English is.Not with out telling him thatheis one at first though.As comedies go 'Johnny English' may not exactly be inspiring.Let's faceitwe've pretty much seen this kind of thing before.An inept, police man,agentor what ever who manages to some how save the world.Let's face it.He's not really that different form Atkinson's othercomediccreation Mr.Bean.Both characters are complete idiots.It's simply just avariation of the personae.Plus the whole little gut manages to winthroughis the cliche of so many movies these day's.Not only that but you have Malkovich sporting a truly laughable frenchaccent on top of that.The film despite these flaws isn't all together bad.The performance bythecast in general is of grade A quality.(Even though you have to listen toMalkovich's accent).Atkinson as ever is entertaining to watch as well asthere are some genuinely humerous moments in the film.English mistaking aacrowd of mourners at a funeral for being henchman of Savagues.Hisbunglingin to trying to break in to one of the villains company skyscrapers whereheis throwing a gala.Then theres the films finale which see English at thecoronation of Savague(who has indeed managed to over throw the Queen)ashetries to idiotically try to expose him for the crimminal genius that heis.All in all it's an amiable enough movie that you could take your kids tosee.(They probably pester you to take them to see it).But if you don'thavekids I would advise you to wait for the video or DVD.Robs Rating: * * *