Surprisingly tepid.
Johnny English (2003)
Tomatometer
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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
Johnny English is silly enough, but why can't this clever man make a clever movie?
Johnny English won't leave you shaken or stirred; it's simply quite likable, and there's nothing wrong with that.
... reminds us that the nation that gave us Peter Sellers and Monty Python also gave us Benny Hill.
It is unabashedly silly and playful. I don’t think Atkinson could be mean or offensive if he tried.
Atkinson really is funny in this movie--maybe not pee-your-pants funny, but certainly hoot-out-loud funny.
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.
Rowan Atkinson is a gifted comedian. Too bad Johnny English isn't more befitting his significant talents.
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.
In a summer filled with overcooked turkeys, it's a refreshingly irreverent snack.
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.
The wildly successful Austin Powers films are a hard act to follow, and Johnny English feels like a Johnny -come-lately to the same silly party.
Fans of Rowan Atkinson and the low-key lunacy of his brand of British humor are going to love his turn as the world's most unqualified secret agent.
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?
Johnny English would most favorably be described as a one-joke action comedy whose one joke wears thin quite quickly (and isn't remotely original to begin with)
Johnny English will delight those who arrive already convinced that they'll laugh uproariously at every slapstick gag and every misused word. But it won't convince the rest of us.
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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