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Johnny English is remarkably good. I can sum it up in one statement, which is it was a lot better than I thought it would be, and I've always had high hopes for it. I was a bit nervous going into it as I've read either bad reviews (broadsheets) or very good ones (tabloids, punters & Jonathan Ross). I feared Rowan's portrayal would be more Bean or Inspector Fowler than the original Richard Latham.
ets get some misconceptions out of the way first.
Firstly, it isn't Bean does bond as some reviews have put it. Yes there are a few beanesque moments like the bathroom bit, however, they are mainly a result of his ineptness not the cause. Secondly, it plays very similar to the Barclaycard adds, his whole approach and the way he deals with people, there's a few of the types of conversations he had from them ie about monks from so and so that can do xyz to make something happen (wont spoil it for you) and he attempts it and mucks up sometimes in a Bean way, or the way he got out of the cemetery situation. Thirdly, the adverts/trailer doesn't do justice to the film, paints him slightly different, they are definitely attempting to position it to the Bean fanbase to maximise earnings.
Film critics will not give it a high mark due to the ridiculous plot, basic type of humour and lack of originality. However, what it does, it does brilliantly, you can tell a lot of care and love has gone into the film. Rowan's renowned perfectionism is certainly evident. It will make money especially in Europe and quite possibly North America..
I wont litter the piece with spoilers, just tell you about the performances and quality of the film.
It will appeal to most people. There are the simple jokes such as the toilet pipe that will appeal to the younger audience, however, there are subtle jokes such as Johnny's choice of drink and Rowan's delivery that will appeal to the older audience.
Its directed very well, crisp and slick. Howitt is continuing to perform after sliding doors and has a similar visual look and feel. Its 87mins and flies by. I was watching it with a third full cinema at 11:30 on a Friday morning with a good mix of adults and kids, one couple were laughing hysterically throughout. I was worried that the kids would start to get bored and play up but they didn't. This in itself is a good sign of the film's quality. Howitt structures the film similar to a James Bond film and keeps Rowan's character as the nucleus.
Rowan's performance is top notch, he mixes most of his abilities. I liken it to his stand up where he goes through his whole repertoire. There is slapstick, there is face pulling, there is acidic verbal wit, there is pompousness before a fall, however, all done very well. I was most impressed by his acting in the dramatic parts not just where he had to be funny. He gets a lot of scripts anyway, but I wouldn't be surprised if he were offered more, even dramatic roles.
I'll give you an example, the start, just like a proper James Bond there's an action/James Bondesq scene at the beginning where Johnny English breaks in somewhere deals with the bad guys just like Bond and is very charming and swaurve with a lady. This sequence puts any fears to bed straight away, Rowan's performance is top notch and I kid you not, he would make a pretty good James Bond in his own right.
The other performances are good and fit the part. Malkovich is over the top but the plot demands it and it's justified, he is also subtly good in places. Natalie Imbruglia hasn't a lot to do but does what is required (looks good in a dress!!). Ben Miller is a little wasted. As with Blackadder, the original adverts' focus was the relationship between Rowan's character and his side kick. There's no real interaction between them except to move the scene along. Few jokes between them. I thought at the very least Johnny could have been even more condescending/pompous towards him. Perhaps a lot of this was cut out to keep the pace of the film slick.
The big action set pieces are excellently pulled off mixing the obvious and imaginative with slick directing and acting. Most the scenes mix the pompousness and slapstick sides of Rowan's character well. Ones to especially look out for include the cemetery scene from Rowan's sitting position and delivery, and the 'wrong building' sequence. However, Blackadder fans should look out for a one liner in the opening sequence that wouldn't have been out of place between Nurse Mary and Blackadder in General Hospital.
I believe it will be successful enough to warrant a sequel, just hope Rowan can be bothered to make one. As Jonathan Ross said in his review 'Atkinson is excellent as English, making it all the more regrettable that he's far too rich these days to have to do much work.' However, any sequel will need to up the ante considerably and not merely tread the same ground. There would need to be more jokes of the one line concept at the expense of the basic humour and more characterisation based interaction between Johnny and Bough. The franchise can certainly grow and develop into its own niche and Rowan has a solid foundation to develop and position Johnny English alongside Blackadder and Bean as iconic characters.
GO SEE IT!
And just a few requests for the DVD
Theatrical version and an extended version with all the deleted scenes.
Audio commentaries for the extended version
1) Cast - Rowan Atkinson, Ben Miller, John Malkovich, Natalie Imbruglia
2) Creators - Rowan Atkinson, Screen Writers, Peter Howitt
ALL the original Barclaycard adverts.
Development from advert to film documentary
Making of film documentary
Interviews with cast and crew
Gag reel/bloopers
Screen-tests
Premier documentary
Well we can hope!!!!!
John A.
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