MOVIE REVIEW

Johnny English  (2003)

Starring: Rowan Atkinson, John Malkovich
Director: Peter Howitt

Rating: PG

Studio: Universal

Release Date: 7.18.03

Review Posted: 7.24.03

Spoilers: Minor

By Rachel Sexton

"Johnny English" a Flawed Affair Save for Atkinson’s Laugh-Out-Loud Comedy

Spy films have become a genre in itself, thanks to the likes of James Bond and Mission: Impossible’s Ethan Hunt, among others. Now, it’s only fitting that the genre gets its English spoof, courtesy of director Peter Howitt and star Rowan Atkinson. Though not all the comedy works, Johnny English is consistently funny due to Atkinson’s lead performance.

The film opens with an exciting entrance by the title character into a building where he comes up against a female adversary. He charms her and is about to kiss her when we are shown that it was simply a dream. English isn’t a top super spy, just a file pusher in MI-7. Agent 1, a cameo by underused Greg Wise (Emma Thompson’s real life man), is the real Bond. He is, however, killed in the line of duty. Then, all the other spies are killed in an explosion at the funeral. That leaves only English and partner Bough (Ben Miller) to take on Pascal Sauvage (John Malkovich), the French prison magnate (yeah), who wants the English throne and land.

This exposition has all been entertaining, though it stretches credulity. The film that follows is for the most part laugh-out-loud funny. Some of the highlights are when English pretends to fight a henchman behind a door with a crowd watching when he’s really alone and all the while the Crown Jewels are being stolen. English never has luck with guns, and there’s a bit with a traffic camera, and English always screws up and, though he has an explanation for everything. There is also a sidesplitting scene involving muscle relaxant. I also liked the film’s emphasis of the dislike between England and France.

The rest of the story could have been a bit more original, though. We know Sauvage is going to be the villain the first time we see him on screen. We know that despite his ineptitude English will eventually stop him. There’s also a little stiffness in the interaction between English and the female agent helping him, Lorna, played by singer Natalie Imbruglia. As far as action goes, the fare here is up to par. A shootout and an exciting car chase both feature their fair share of comedy. There could have been more action I suppose, but the film doesn’t feel lacking. The production values are mostly solid as well. As a side note, Robbie Williams sings an excellent theme song and the use of locations is effective.

The best thing, by far, about this film is Rowan Atkinson. Through the legendary Blackadder and Mr. Bean series, Atkinson can officially be Britain’s comedic ambassador. In Johnny English he is simply hilarious, completely incompetent yet also always optimistic. He throws around British bravado in a way that becomes attractive. Malkovich, with a graying, Beatles-like hairdo and strong French accent somehow plays the villain of a comedy as he should be played. Bad, but not the evil kind we find in dramas.

Johnny English is imperfect, but I challenge anyone not to laugh as you watch Atkinson pull down the Archbishop of Canterbury’s underwear.

Rating: êêê  (out of 5)

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