 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
Johnny English - 7/18/03 - PG - 88m
Rowan
Atkinson - Johnny English
Ben Miller - Bough
John Malkovich - Pascal Sauvage
Director: Peter Howitt
Written by: Neal Purvis & Robert Wade
Official
Website
JEF
Johnny English just didn’t have the laughs I had hoped
this time. Perhaps it falls in the category of where the trailer contained
too many of the funny moments of the film.
Storyline: Johnny English (Rowan Atkinson) is a low level
English spy. Apparently he’s too much of a bumbling idiot to even
be allowed out in the field, and is stuck behind a desk pushing a pencil,
and daydreaming about the life of a secret agent. But then through some
twist of fate, he becomes the only spy left, and is sent to protect the
“crown jewels”. The crown jewels are on display inside of
a prison built by Pascal Sauvage (John Malkovich). But Sauvage has other
plans for the crown jewels, which includes taking over the throne and
ruling England. It’s up to Johnny English to save England.
Lets first start by saying I’m a fan of Rowan Atkinson for the most
part. Of course the roll that probably made him famous is the roll of
Mr. Bean. He’s such a gangly awkward looking man, that it must have
been his destiny to become a comedian. Atkinson has that terrific ability
to appear like a bumbling idiot, and yet somehow portray to the audience
a sense of humor, and perhaps pity, for such a homely character. I will
always remember a scene from his BBC TV show “The Black Adder”,
where he was trying to teach the town fool how to add… “If
I have one bean, and then add one more bean… what does that give
you?” – “A very small casserole” 
But even with all of his talent, and definite comedic style, this movie
left me very disappointed. The jokes were just too cliché. They
would set the joke up from a mile away so that by the time the punch line,
or visual delivery of the joke came, you already knew it. I think one
of Mr. Bean’s successes comes from a sense of spontaneity.
How many movies can be made about a bumbling secret agent? Especially
now that Mike Meyers has set the bar so high (or low) with Austin Powers.
I was really surprised to see Malkovich take this part. Even he could
not save this movie. His fake French accent was almost so forced, it didn’t
even sound French anymore. And with Malkovich’s awesome talent,
how could he stoop to a roll like this? I hope it was some sort of contractual
obligation.
Now, all this being said I have to point out two things… I saw 4
people get up and walk out of the theatre. (I think if the movie had been
any longer than 88 minutes, it might have lost more viewers…) BUT…
There were some people in the audience who were laughing almost the entire
movie. That’s the thing about comedy movies. What one person finds
funny another may find silly or stupid, and vice versa. So, if you like
seeing bumbling spy movies, maybe this movie is for you. Me personally,
I think I’ll laugh at the old Mr. Bean shows that occasionally get
rerun on our local public television channel.
Jef
PS> I would like to say, that although I just said I’m getting
a little tired of the idiotic spy movies, watching this movie made me
really appreciate the talents of Peter Sellers, and I miss his Pink Panther
movies. Perhaps someday, someone might be able to fill those large shoes,
and bring back Inspector Cluesoe. But lets wait til the memory of this
movie long fades, and when Mike Meyers has finally used up all the James
Bond plots for his run with Austin Powers.
Click here to buy movie posters!