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Johnny English (2003)
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Reviews Counted:115
Fresh:38
Rotten:77
Average Rating:4.8/10
Consensus: A tame spy spoof that elicits infrequent chuckles.
Rated: PG [See Full Rating] for comic nudity, some crude humor and language
Runtime: 88 mins
Genre: Comedies
Theatrical Release:Jul 18, 2003 Wide
Box Office: $27,972,410
Synopsis: When the British government fears that a plan is afoot to steal the royal family's beloved crown jewels from their secure home in the Tower of London, secret agent Johnny English (Rowan Atkinson)... When the British government fears that a plan is afoot to steal the royal family's beloved crown jewels from their secure home in the Tower of London, secret agent Johnny English (Rowan Atkinson) is assigned to the case. Unfortunately, English isn't the British Secret Service's first choice for the job; he's just the only secret agent that is still alive. Even though English dreams of being a suave, debonair agent and has only the best intentions, the hapless Brit continually makes matters worse as he tries to save his country from falling into the clutches of French prison mogul Pascal Sauvage, played by John Malkovich. Among other things, English misuses secret agent gadgets, inadvertently leaks his plans to the bad guys, takes the most inopportune route into Sauvage's castle, and generally makes silly mistakes--and somehow gets away with it. Physical comedian Atkinson, best known as Mr. Bean, shines in this film, which was directed by Peter Howitt (SLIDING DOORS). JOHNNY ENGLISH also features British comedian Ben Miller as Bough, English's mild-mannered, but surprisingly effective sidekick from the agency. Australian singer and actress Natalie Imbruglia makes her feature film debut as Special Agent Lorna Campbell. [More]
Starring: Rowan Atkinson, Natalie Imbruglia, Ben Miller, John Malkovich
Starring: Rowan Atkinson, Natalie Imbruglia, Ben Miller, John Malkovich
Director: Peter Howitt
Director: Peter Howitt
Screenwriter: Neal Purvis, Robert Wade, William Davies
Producer: Tim Bevan, Eric Fellner, Mark Huffam
Composer: Edward Shearmur
Studio: Universal Pictures
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Reviews for Johnny English
While you don't have to be a super sleuth to see the over-obvious gags coming, Atkinson's elastic mugging usually pulls 'em through.
While it lives up to the very definition of 'hit and miss', the parts that hit are very funny.
Belongs on an old-time double bill, where it would satisfy, if only because we’d be into the second movie before we noticed that the first came up a bit short on laughs.
Johnny is never as inspired as the best moments of the Powers movies, but it's cleaner and more consistent than they are.
In spite of some wince-inducing bathroom humor, and jokes you can see coming from a mile away, this turns out be a very funny romp indeed.
The spy-spoof genre is old hat ... but Atkinson is such an inventive, endearing clown that one doesn't mind.
What makes it work is the cast, who are able to wring more than a few laughs out of this tired scenario.
Here is perhaps a good litmus test to determine whether or not Johnny English is for you: do you think Rowan Atkinson can be funny just by showing up?
It still seems that nothing will ever beat the genius of the Val Kilmer-fronted spoof Top Secret, but after the fiasco of the last Austin Powers movie, this is fun.
Johnny English is 100 percent Atkinson, which means superficial silliness and wacky pratfalls. If you're looking for comedic depth or edgy irony, look elsewhere.
You won't die laughing in the theater, but the filmmakers aren't asking you to, as they do in the frantic, adolescent comedies that dominate the market. It's a pleasure.
There's a lot of entertainment, especially for families, in Johnny English.
The latest from Mr. Bean star Rowan Atkinson, isn’t a great movie, or even that good a comedy. But somehow the flick’s monumental silliness offsets its shortcomings.
A comic actor of genius who raises silliness to an art form, the wonderfully expressive Atkinson makes excellent use of those devastating looks in the spy spoof Johnny English.
Atkinson really is funny in this movie--maybe not pee-your-pants funny, but certainly hoot-out-loud funny.
Latest News for Johnny English
May 04, 2007:
The Weekly Ketchup: Dunst Forgives Self For Bad Acting, Downey Reflects On "Iron Man," New "Magneto" Director, And More!
In this week's Ketchup, Kirsten Dunst talks about the woes of blue-screen theatrics, Robert Downey Jr. discusses his "Iron Man" pedigree, and the new... More...
April 18, 2007:
Kate Beckinsale as "Barbarella"?
This word arrives by way of a British gossip column, so you know what to do with it, but here's the dirt: Kate Beckinsale is apparently being considered for the lead role in... More...
April 11, 2006:
Get Ready for the Return of ... "Bean"
You knew it was only a matter of time before Rowan Atkinson came back with another "Mr. Bean" movie. (Anyone out there see Johnny English? Sheesh.) And today Variety... More...
March 13, 2003:
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| Tomatometer Percentage | Movie |
|---|---|
| 66% 66% | Public Enemies |
| 83% 83% | Harry Potter and the H… |
| 44% 44% | Night at the Museum: B… |
| 75% 75% | Julie & Julia |
| 32% 32% | Terminator Salvation |
| Tomatometer Percentage | Movie |
|---|---|
| 90% 90% | District 9 |
| 86% 86% | 500 Days of Summer |
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| 06% 06% | All About Steve |
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