Reviewed by Victor Rebikoff.
Director: Oliver Parker, Universal Pictures, PG 101 Minutes.
Renowned comedian Rowan Atkinson (‘Mr Bean’) reprises his comical role as the bumbling British spy in the well-directed action comedy sequel from Oliver Parker (‘St Trinians’ franchise) following Atkinson’s original portrayal in the first of the series in 2006.
In his latest escapade English is initially seen training Tibetan monks following a botched mission in an African country when he is recalled by British intelligence for a special assignment to prevent the assassination of the Chinese Premier.
Besides displaying his enjoyable dose of British humour with the monks, English wastes no time in causing madcap mayhem for Pamela Thornton (seamlessly portrayed by ‘X-Files’ TV star Gillian Anderson) the newly appointed head of MI7.
In the ensuing side-splitting chaos English accidentally causes Thornton’s cat to fall from her office window and later by attacking her mother at a children’s’ party believing the woman dressed as a clown to be a killer assassin.
Despite the splendid opening titles sequence-similar to the Bond movies-and some hilarious scenes Parker has made his movie slightly problematic by adding a set of keys into the plot that English must first locate to prevent the assassination.
One such key is held by British agent Simon Ambrose (‘Centurion’s Dominic West) whom English informs of a mole operating within MI7 unaware that Ambrose is the traitor after attempting to drug English into killing the Chinese Premier.
With the help of his offsider Tucker (Daniel Kaluuyu – ‘Sicario’) and MI7 psychologist Kate Sumner (Rosamund Pike – ‘Jack Reacher’) English is able to exterminate Ambrose prior to being knighted before attacking the Queen believing she is the killer assassin in disguise.
Parker has made an enjoyable spy movie complete with many comical scenes that are both entertaining and hilarious complemented by a cast including former Bond girl Pike (‘Die Another Day’) as psychologist Kate Sumner and English’s love interest.
Once again Atkinson shines in his role as the blundering secret agent and is well supported by the performances of Anderson, Pike and West including Kaluuya as English’s partner Tucker.
Many will find ‘Johnny English Reborn’ to be a great deal of fun especially if one is a Rowan Atkinson fan.
Johnny English Reborn is to be televised on 9Gem at 7.00PM on Saturday 24 October
Vic’s Verdict: 3 ½ Stars
