Review: Johnny English (**)

JOHNNY ENGLISH
A film review by Steve Rhodes

Copyright 2003 Steve Rhodes

RATING (0 TO ****): **


If you are a fan of Rowan Atkinson's brand of slapstick humor, then just
perhaps JOHNNY ENGLISH is the film for you. Even if you've liked his
performances in such films as BEAN, you'll probably need to see JOHNNY
ENGLISH only on a day when your silliness quotient is through the roof.
You'll want to choose a day in which the mere thought of a pratfall sends
you into nervous giggles because JOHNNY ENGLISH, a film that feels like it
was designed for the single digit set, lays it on awfully thick for anyone
who has graduated from grade school.



Atkinson plays Johnny English, the only British agent left after a bomb
destroys all the other agents. Trying his best to be a likable doofus,
Atkinson plays his part with utter confidence as a super sophisticated James
Bond without a scintilla of sense. When the crown jewels are stolen right
in front of his eyes, he is unable to ascertain how the thieves entered the
building. Everyone but him sees the big hole in the ground.



The gorgeous Natalie Imbruglia plays the Bond girl part, except her
character has infinitely more brains than English. Actually, everyone is
smarter than our would-be lovable idiot. John Malkovich is there to ham it
up as Pascal Sauvage, a Frenchman with designs on the English throne.



If the theater's air-conditioning is working and it's hot outside, spending
some time with English isn't a bad idea. Otherwise, there are undoubtedly
many better activities to occupy your time.



JOHNNY ENGLISH runs 1:28. It is rated PG for "comic nudity, some crude
humor and language" and would be acceptable for all ages.



The film is playing in nationwide release now in the United States. In the
Silicon Valley, it is showing at the AMC theaters, the Century theaters and
the Camera Cinemas.



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