Johnny English Reborn is the 101 minute sequel to 2003′s Johnny English, where Rowan Atkinson – of Mr. Bean fame – does his best Peter Seller’s impression (Inspector Clouseau from the hilarious Pink Panther films).  Call it a James Bond spoof or a campy British spy-comedy; there is an audience for this type of product.  And Rowan Atkinson does bring in some of his silent sitcom character traits (Mr. Bean) that help put him on the map.

The story for this sequel follows a pattern that Ace Ventura 2 instilled.  Johnny English (Rowan Atkinson), the once heralded agent for British intelligence, has been kicking it at a monastery trying to find himself.  After the first 10 minutes attempt to amuse people with Atkinson’s physical brand of comedy – specifically his quirky mannerisms, as he maneuvers around the secluded temple – he is summoned back to his agency that shunned him just five years ago after a botched mission.  He is paired with a young prodigy, Tucker (Daniel Kaluuya); and under the supervision of Pegasus (Gillian Anderson sighting), they try to thwart an attempt on the Chinese prime minister’s life.

If one doesn’t like Atkinson’s brand of humor – or the British comedic style in general – but do enjoy these types of spoofs, go hunt down Steve Carell in Get Smart.  Even better, dig up the classic Pink Panther flicks (not the Steve Martin remakes), for that is what this yearns to be.  Granted, it’s tough to inject decent comedic moments in a spy-mystery satire.  With the screenplay going through the motions of any 1990′s James Bond feature (facility containing gadgets, mission control meetings, and tongue-in-cheek combat scenes), the laughs are few and far between.  That’s not to say they aren’t trying, it’s just that not even half of the obvious gags will register with an audience outside of the die-hard Atkinson loyal.

For whatever it’s worth though, this screenplay moves along smoothly and places the characters in an assortment of settings.  And all the performers seem into this (save for Gillian Anderson who has nothing but question marks all over her face).  Plus, Atkinson and director Oliver Parker do click just enough times in placing the titular character in sequences where even cynics will be unable to contain their audible arousal.  Atkinson is just too talented not to eventually deliver, despite multiple duds in an ever-changing landscape of environments this tale unfolds in (shanty hotel, high-speed chase involving wheelchairs, patent ritzy casino, an undercover golfing mission, etc.).  It’s the Scary Movie version of Bond flicks that garners some appeal thanks to Atkinson putting his own personal spin on the recycled shenanigans.

All that being said, it by no means re-events the wheel with regards to this type of farce.

Overall, Johnny English Reborn is consequently more of the same.  There are a handful of laughs to be had in this spy-spoofer.  And it’s at least better than Jackie Chan’s The Tuxedo.  Furthermore, if one enjoys “getting kicked in the groin” jokes, this may be their paradise.

RATING: 2.5 out of 5

Read similar posts to Review: Johnny English Reborn at Filmonic

Gillian Anderson (X-Files), Dominic West (The Wire, 300) and Rosamund Pike (Die Another Day) have joined the cast of Jonny English Reborn, a sequel to the 2003 film Johnny English which saw Rowan Atkinson playing a bumbling British spy.

THR reports filming will begin in the U.K. and Hong Kong this week, and the movie will follow Johnny English as he tries to stop a plot by a group of international assassins hunting down the Chinese premier.

It’s been seven years since the first film which is a rather long time to get round to a sequel, but it made over $160 million worldwide on a $40 million budget. It only managed $23 million in the US, but following a string of under-performers such as Green Zone, Repo Men, Robin Hood and Scott Pilgrim vs. the World Universal will be needing a hit regardless of where the money comes from.

Dorin Grey and St. Trinian’s director Oliver Parker will be at the helm, and the screenplay has been written by Hamish McColl who wrote Mr. Bean’s Holiday, so it should once again contain the comedy Rowan Atkinson is known for.

Read similar posts to Gillian Anderson, Dominic West, Rosamund Pike join Johnny English Reborn at Filmonic

“It was hard work. I’m too old. David is in the best shape of his life because he had to bonk people every two minutes for Californication. He did most of the work. He’s climbing and jumping off cliffs. I didn’t do any of that and I was more exhausted by the end of it than he was. I’m a wimp.”

-Gillian Anderson on filming X-Files: I Want To Believe

Read similar posts to Quote Of The Day: Gillian Anderson On X-Files: I Want To Believe at Filmonic