March 28: Johnny English Reborn

"Johnny English goes up against international assassins hunting down the Chinese premier."

   Johnny English Reborn is an absolutely amazing film that mixes both comedy and action. Rowan Atkinson plays the title role and he does so brilliantly. Atkinson brings every bit of his talent to the screen and you can't help but cheer for the bumbling spy. His slap-stick antics never grow old and he is just as good as he was in Mr. Bean. It's nice to see a spy-comedy that's both refreshing and original, as so many of the "espionage a la spoof" movies are stale and uninspired (Austin Powers, Quantum of Solace, Naked Gun). Johnny English Reborn reinvents the genre and sets the bar incredibly high for any future similar films. 

Mr. Bond himself couldn't carry the weight of the Johnny English franchise. 

   The film follows, what you think is a simple plot. Johnny English must uncover a scheme to kill a Chinese official while trying to remember how an earlier assassination occurred. However, the script throws in so many twists and turns, that nothing is what it seems and so much is unexpected. I was genuinely shocked at many of the surprises the film held, and each new discovery gives even more depth to the film. English finds himself in a web of deception and deceit and he must figure out how to stop a very important person from being killed. 

So intriguingly woven and beautifully spun. 

   Overall, I would highly recommend Johnny English Reborn. The action is suspenseful, there are plenty of laughs, and the film is so well made you can't help but sit back and admire all the work put into it. From the camerawork, to the script, to the score, the film succeeds in every notion. Rowan Atkinson is at his best and he will make your entire side hurt from laughing. The film leaves you thinking about our own government, and if the CIA has men like Johnny English. If so, you can rest assured that we are in the best hands imaginable. 

The Good:

Rowan Atkinson doing what he does best and delivering one hell of a performance 

The Better:

An intricate plot so unpredictable you can't see anything coming

The Best:

the film takes an over-played genre and makes it completely new again

Uh, hello? The film sucked and I am surprised I even watched it in its entirety. Skip it and go run into a wall, you'll have more fun. 

Overall: 2.0/10

Trailer: