If you are a fan of Rowan Atkinson's brand of slapstick humor, then just perhaps
JOHNNY ENGLISH is the film for you. Even if you've liked his performances in
such films as BEAN, you'll probably need to see JOHNNY ENGLISH only on a day
when your silliness quotient is through the roof. You'll want to choose a day
in which the mere thought of a pratfall sends you into nervous giggles because
JOHNNY ENGLISH, a film that feels like it was designed for the single digit set,
lays it on awfully thick for anyone who has graduated from grade school.
Atkinson plays Johnny English, the only British agent left after a bomb destroys
all the other agents. Trying his best to be a likable doofus, Atkinson plays
his part with utter confidence as a super sophisticated James Bond without a
scintilla of sense. When the crown jewels are stolen right in front of his
eyes, he is unable to ascertain how the thieves entered the building. Everyone
but him sees the big hole in the ground.
The gorgeous Natalie Imbruglia plays the Bond girl part, except her character
has infinitely more brains than English. Actually, everyone is smarter than our
would-be lovable idiot. John Malkovich is there to ham it up as Pascal Sauvage,
a Frenchman with designs on the English throne.
If the theater's air-conditioning is working and it's hot outside, spending some
time with English isn't a bad idea. Otherwise, there are undoubtedly many
better activities to occupy your time.
JOHNNY ENGLISH runs 1:28. It is rated PG for "comic nudity, some crude humor
and language" and would be acceptable for all ages.
Copyright © 2003 Steve Rhodes
