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Johnny English
Release
Date: April 11th 2003
Distributor: UIP
Certificate: TBC
Starring: Rowan Atkinson, John Malkovich, Natalie Imbruglia, Ben Miller
Director: Peter
Howitt
Running Time:
TBC
He
Knows No Fear. He Knows No Danger. He Knows Nothing.Johnny English is an accident prone MI-7 agent who unfortunately ends up as the only man who can save Britain and its monarchy from a terrible fate.
Pascal Sauvage (Malkovich) is a French business man with a diabolical plan in mind. Getting his hands on the crown jewels, and also planning to steal the queen's throne, he intends to crown himself king of England and set up the unfortunate island as an international prison for all the scum of the Earth. In an attempt to defeat this outrageous Frenchman many of MI-7’s best agents are sent into the fray. When, however, Johnny English (Atkinson) is put onto the case, his unrestrained enthusiasm more than make up for his lack of tact and training.
Also working to save the country is English’s rather more sedate (and sensible) sidekick, Bough (Ben Miller), who, although probably a better agent than English, helps his boss with a steadfast dedication.
With
fast cars, high tech gadgets and a top secret mission, ‘Johnny English’
is a great spy spoof which takes it’s cue from the ‘Austin Powers’
trilogy – and then adds something that only the British can really
excel at on film, ineptness. Rowan Atkinson uses the persona that he created
for Mr Bean (which worked to such an advantage in the worldwide success
‘Bean’) and mixes it with the stuffed-shirt spy that originally
appeared in a series of Barclaycard adverts from a few years back. Atkinson’s
character is in over his head with the mission that he gets landed with,
but even though he makes a meal of even the simplest task, somehow his courage
and dedication are enough to get him through to the next series of mishaps
– and eventually to win through in the end. No “Bondian”
film would be complete without a fabulous leading lady, and as double agent
Lorna Campbell diminutive pop star Natalie Imbruglia shines. Rowan Atkinson’s brilliant style of physical comedy make this film a joy to watch, but don’t miss a moment of John Malkovich as his nemesis Sauvage whose wonderful French accent will have you rolling in the aisles.
Written by Neal Purvis and Robert Wade who penned both the last two Bond films, and directed by ‘Sliding Doors’ helmer Peter Howitt, ‘Johnny English’ is a great addition to the spoof spy film genre and is very, very funny.
Prepare for British Intelligence.