Johnny English Reborn

Review:

After saving queen and country from a major disaster, the renowned MI-7 agent Johnny English retires from the world for several years. Deep in a remote part of Asia, he hones his talents day after day. That is, until he is called back to London after an attempt on the Chinese Premier’s life. With mere hours before him, Johnny is sent to unravel a web of conspiracy throughout the world’s prominent agencies. He must race against time, using every gadget at hand and every inch of his charms, to save the world from a catastrophe... if he doesn’t cause it himself.

Eight years after his first adventure, Johnny English is back into business, and for the better. Everything that has contributed to the first film’s success is back. The humour is present at every minute, and is far more intelligently welded to the main plot. Johnny doesn’t just fall over every other second: he does it with style. His mishaps are an integral part of a dynamic, action-packed plot spiced with the best of British humour, combining in its own impossible way outrageous absurdity with astoundingly functional logic.

Needless to say, Rowan Atkinson is in his element; doing what he does best. Our world-famous Mr. Bean is healthy as ever, playing out a lovable character that is in the end far from silly, but is simply not adapted to the standards of the world he lives in. He is the catalyst to the whole story, the “magic touch” of the film as was, in his time, Austin Powers.

Far from revolutionising the well-known genre of Spy-comedy, Johnny English Reborn cherry-picks the best parts of it and cooks them up with Atkison’s unique acting. More intelligent and open than its predecessor, this film is certainly worth watching.

Charles Noirot