Marshall Fine (20 May 2012)

The laughs come grudgingly and infrequently in Johnny English.

stickboy87 (19 May 2012)

The Austin Powers franchise is better

Johnny English isn't a great comedy, but it's not a bad one either. Sincemy theater doesn't charge much to watch movies ($6.00), I didn't fell like I wasted mymoney. However, if I spent $10.00 to watch this movie, I would have felt cheated. Johnny English isn't a fall on your back rolling around laughing your headoff movie, it generates chuckles, and that's about it. Wait for the DVD instead.5*'s/10*'s.

blukat14 (17 May 2012)

funny, boring at times

this movie has some very funny scenes. johnny landing in the wrongbuilding,johnny's gun never working, johnny dancing in the bathroom.funny stuff.themovie wasnt as funny as i was hoping it would be. i'll give it a5/10.

(16 May 2012)

HILARIOUS

Rowan is great in this witty and HILARIOUS comedy of a moron secret agent. From shooting the secretary with a poisin-dart pen, to pulling down the arch bishops underwear on national TV, you will be laughing NON-STOP. I must say, his expressions and keen faciial expressions make the movi, and not to mention John Malkovich is makes a pretty convincing supervillian. If your 1 or 101, you will be doubled over. Slightly predictible, but nevertheless clever. If Humor is dangerous for your health, be ready for some massive head trauma and brain damage... not to mention a ruptured kidney... internal bleeding... and maybe 1-3 heart attacks. -DK

Pookyiscute (05 May 2012)

Funny, but no Mr. Bean...

Rowan Atkinson is his usual humorous-self in this movie, but in no way doesit compare to Mr. Bean, the movie or the show. There are some really greatlines, and it reminded me of an almost British version of Wrongfully Accusedwith Leslie Nielson. This film was really a satire of James Bond, whichwasn't hard to guess from the previews, but a less worthy attempt at it thanthe Austin Powers series. This film was funny and there is one scenetowards the very end that is absolutely hysterical which involves an ABBAsong, but nevertheless, not what I was expecting from Atkinson, knowing hisgreat successes with not only the Mr. Bean series, and film, but also fromThe Black Adder and more recently than that, Four Weddings and a Funeral inwhich he played the priest who couldn't speak during his firstwedding.John Malchovich even being in this movie didn't say much for his filmoptions these days, and I wasn't sure if his accent in the movie was onpurpose that bad, or if he just couldn't act. Natalie I. (I'm not evengoing to attempt to spell her last name), was good, but lacked something I'msure a "real" actress wouldn't have. She, in my opinion should stick towriting songs.So, with that my score for this piece is 6.5 out of 10.It was a funny movie just for the great lines that it continually had, butthe story and plot line were almost non-existent.Try it out if you like Rowan, however, you might be disappointed.That's my review

(05 May 2012)

Humor and action.

It was a little strange to have Rowan Atkinson talk cause I was used to the quiet Mr. Bean.It has great action like James Bonde and humor like Maxwell Smart.It could've had a PG-13 rating because of nudity though.It's 5 times better then Mr.Bean.Get it if you love spy movies.

ianlouisiana (30 April 2012)

Laugh ? - I nearly started.

"johnny English" is undoubtedly one of the worst films I have ever seenin over fifty years of cinema going.It still rankles that I paid £4 tosit in a darkened room with 200 other mug punters to watch something asamusing as a dose of anthrax. Rowan Atkinson just isn't funny.Heclearly thinks he is,but he is merely irritating in the extreme.He hasjoined the ranks of TV heroes who think they can make a smooth,painlessand lucrative transition to the big screen without raising their game500% - and there are so many casualties along that route that I won'teven bother to detail them,we all know who they are.Tragically MrAtkinson hasn't learned from their mistakes. He gets to drive a nicecar - looking very pleased with himself as well he might - romance apretty girl - looking very pleased with himself - in fact he spendsmost of the film looking very pleased with himself.This might(indeed,does)work in "Blackadder",an exceptionally well-written TVseries,but it doesn't work in "Johnny English" which is embarrassinglyinept in all departments. I laughed once,when Mr Atkinson caught histie in the moving belt at the sushi bar,and then only because itreminded me of an old Steve Martin gag.This,during what was advertisedas a laugh- a - minute fun fest caused me to leave the cinema feelingthey owed me 89 laughs. I wait in trepidation for "Johnny English 2".

harryachapman (30 April 2012)

Brilliantly funny film

I would advise the majority of people writing here to go away and gettheirhead seen to cos this is without question already a candidate for bestfilmof 2003. Rowan Atkinson is one of the funniest men around and he proves itagain here. I have seen it twice already and on both occasions I havekilledmyself with laughter so anyone reading this, ignore the moronic lunaticssaying it's rubbish, painful etc and see it quickly and give yourself areallaugh

Dustin Putman (29 April 2012)

While Atkinson is at his offbeat best, the film he has been placed within is sorely routine and more often blase than not, its every joke telegraphed far in advance of its ultimate appearance.

Greg Slade (28 April 2012)

Lots of Laughs

Johnny English combines the wit, savoir faire, competence, and sheer coldmenace of Mr. Bean with the bonhomie, boyish charm, generosity, andhumilityof five generations of Blackadders. In other words, he thinks he's thebee'sknees, but he's actually an incompetent boob. (Or, in Atkinson's words, "awibbly little man.") This role isn't much of a departure for Atkinson, butthe flick is lots of fun, and I'm surprised it hasn't made more of asplashin a summer which didn't really have much else to offer.

(26 April 2012)

"It's an unmitigated disaster, English!"

Johnny English is a tired comedy, with stale and predictable gags. Consider the following example of outrageously unfunny verbal wit: "I think I'd rather have my bottom impaled on a giant cactus than exchange pleasantries with that jumped up Frenchman," says Johnny, unknowing that the 'jumped up Frenchman' is standing right behind him. It doesn't even raise the ghost of a smile. Rowan Atkinson should resign himself to the fact that his metier is as the silent Mr. Bean.The film begins well enough, with an amusing daydream sequence, where Johnny English - pen-pusher at M17 (comic cousin of Britain's M15 spy agency) fantasises about his dangerous, dashing life if he were the notoriously brilliant Agent One. When Agent One, and the entire M17 spy corps are killed - through English's blunders - his dream becomes reality. It is up to him to save England from the machinations of a megalomaniac Frenchman, who wishes to claim the British throne and turn the country into a massive prison. With a plot and characters like these, there is obviously the potential for Johnny English to be a humorous Bond-spoof, but the potential remains largely inactivated. There are occasional moments of genuine mirth, such as a hearse being chased by a tow truck, and the subsequent scene in the graveyard, but these are few and far between. The jokes are signposted a mile off, and include juvenile toilet humour. One does get the impression the scriptwriters were rather low on inspiration and in the resultant morass, one joke is even utilised twice. Ironically, the funniest moment of the movie is tacked on part way through the end credits, by which time most of the audience will have switched off in disappointment.

William C. Uchtman (25 April 2012)

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.

(25 April 2012)

if a child could review here

This review is from: Johnny English (Widescreen Edition) (DVD) Listen all you adult-aged reviewers, let's loosen up here. This movie is not for movie connoiseurs. This movie is for getting laughs. And if you insist on holding a prissy, stuck-up attitude then you just won't have a good time, period.Us pursed-lip adults sometimes have to relax, let our facial muscles go(lower those eyebrows, unfurrow the forehead, unpurse our lips, and unclench our jaws) and let humor, even slapstick humor, get the best of us. Some of us are so full of our previous knowledge of movie-viewing or Mr. Bean and Atkinson material("I saw this and I saw that and this movie just ain't as blablabla" or "Atkinson ain't as good in this as in yadayada..."). Children don't care about the history of movies and Atkinson tv series. Watch kids enjoy this movie. They know how to have a good time in the moment. My kids were in stitches over Atkinson's antics and all his facial expressions. My husband got a good share of laughs, sometimes to the point of tears---and it is good to see my husband laugh even if it is over Johnny English. Myself? I have to admit I laughed too. And how could I not enjoy myself with my kids dancing around during Rowan's little mini music video with his toothbrushes in the shower? We rewinded the movie 3 times just to watch that part over and over again. Little children don't get tired of rewinding their favorite parts, you know. One son said we should keep on replaying it until he memorized the song lines. (I insisted we didn't rewind as far back as the unveiling of the Archbishop, though it was their other favorite part of the movie). Leave the movie critic behind you. Watch the movie for laughs. Have a good time viewing it with kids or adults. Don't resist the humor. Relax, enjoy, and let yourself just laugh for humor's sake.

(24 April 2012)

DOESN'T PASS THE SMELL TEST

There's a reason this movie bombed at the box office. It stinks. Mr. Bean has a go at playing Bond in this mildly amusing spy spoof. After having (...)erotic dreams about being Agent One, Rowan Atkinson (Mr. Bean) indirectly kills Agent One by providing faulty entry codes for one of his missions. Later, at Agent One's funeral, the rest of the agents are blown into oblivion when Bean allows a bomb to slip into the funeral in Agent One's coffin. From there the film deteriorates into Bean's bumbling attempts to recover the stolen Royal Crown Jewels. Few laughs and if you're watching too late at night you'll be fighting the impulse to fall asleep. Not too offensive for the kiddies, though. Save your money.

(23 April 2012)

How the mighty have fallen.

I loved Black Adder for the wit and Mr. Bean for the innocence. So what we have here is a film where we mix the BAD points of both characters (Blackadder's willingness to lie, cheat and otherwise be a complete bounder; and Mr. Bean's utter stupidity) for laughs. No laughs erupt, however, and soon this film begins to feel like an embarressing exercise in making a quick buck. First "Mr. Bean - The Movie" (which died an ignominious film death) and now this! Rowan, dear heart, stick with television.

Rick Kisonak (23 April 2012)

Wildly uneven and yet, at times, nothing less than wildly entertaining.

Steve Rhodes (21 April 2012)

If the theater's air-conditioning is working and it's hot outside, spending some time with English isn't a bad idea.

(21 April 2012)

Good movie, bad DVD

This review is not about the movie but the disc...I like Black Adder and Mr. Bean DVDs. I would have liked this one too but it starts with a bunch of previews (Bring It On, etc) and while it says I am allowed to fast forward through them (but not chapter skip or use the menu button - WHY NOT?) it won't actually let me do that.Having to watch the same previews every single time I put in the DVD is unbearable!

jiujitsu_jesus (18 April 2012)

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.

K-Slicer (18 April 2012)

Broken English

"Johnny English" is a broken movie and I just wanted it to end. As TheCranberries would say, "let it linger" and it just lingered. As TheRollingStones would say, "let it bleed" and it just bled. It should have takenwhatThe Beatles said, "live and let die". Here are my reasons for despisingthis movie (spoilers contained within): (1) Rowan Atkinson could neverholda candle to John Cleese, Eric Idle or Graham Chapman because these areBritish comedy masters. I find Bean's sense of humor to be a stale of loafof bread. It might kill a duck someday. (2) Natalie Imbrigulia is anotherunfortunate to be caught in the eye candy role. Her entire talent iswastedin a role that could be filled by any model wannabe that flunked out ofhighschool. Too bad the world of movies is more about flashy s*** as opposed"indigestable" substance. (3) Speaking of s***, if I ever see another s***joke on screen, I will take a sharp object and slice the screen becauses***jokes are just s*** to begin with and I have seen too many of them (insertany other title you can think of here). (4) As for more wasted talent, howcould John Malkovich have ever agreed to make this movie? Isn't this thesame John Malkovich who played himself in "Being John Malkovich" and therather psychotic dualist in the unfairly underrated "Mary Reilly"? Howcouldsuch a good actor play such a lame villian? His performance in "In TheLineof Fire" beats this sad excuse of film villainy into the ground easily.(5)I know movies are fiction but the plot was so GD ridiculous that I wouldhave shot jellybeans out of my mouth if I had eaten them at certain times.For crying out loud, all of British citizenry would rise against theirnewlycrowned King if they ever found out that their homeland would be turnedintothe modern-day equivalent of colonial Australia. I wish some writers woulduse common sense when they write a stupid comedy. (6) I hate repititivejokes like English's gun falling apart at the pull of the trigger. Thosejokes get tiring real fast. (7) All the jokes could have been easilyanticipated and that took much away from the movie (like there was much totake away from to begin with). (8) The romance angle wasn't needed in thismovie either. Some really sad comedic heroes should be left on the shortendof the stick (I think this should have happened to Billy Madison {and Ireally like that movie too}). The narration at the end of the movie saidJohnny English was going on his most arduous mission yet and I said it wasto lose his virginity. As I said before, writers need common sense whentheywrite a stupid comedy. Eight subtracted from ten is two and thus that isthe score I give this movie.The upsides were (1) the theme song by Robbie Williams. It gave me a fairwarning that I was wasting my time in the first place. (2) The otherupsideis the performance of Ben Miller as Bough. He was the funniest characterandhe one of the better second bananas I have seen on screen.Overall, this movie sucks and I suggest it be avoided at all costs. If youever see another British films, try the works of Danny Boyle or the worksofMonty Python because they are smart, dramatic and sometimes funny(dependingon the mood of the movie). Don't ever see this movie because you will becrying at the end because you tortured yourself and you never get yourmoneyback. Here ends my rant!