JOHNNY ENGLISH STRIKES BACK – film review by Mark Glass

– By Mark Glass –

RATING: 3½ out of 5 stars

(PG)

Although I’ve been a HUUUGE Rowan Atkinson fan for many years, his first two feature films as this eponymous bumbling British superspy did little for the level of his esteem. His Mr. Bean antics were superb. His various incarnations of “Blackadder” for BBC TV were not only terrific for him, but provided wonderful, career-advancing vehicles for the likes of Hugh Laurie, Stephen Fry and Miranda Richardson. His awkward vicar scenes in FOUR WEDDINGS AND A FUNERAL belong on anyone’s highlight reel. Yet the previous spy spoofs in this character were disappointing. After seeing all the Inspector Clouseau farces and a raft of Mr. Magoo cartoons, there seemed to be little new ground for Agent English to explore.

Even so, I’m delighted to report that Atkinson achieved the rare feat of making a third installment that’s better than the first two. One could call that a reverse GODFATHER. In fact, one just did. When MI 7’s ranks are suddenly depleted by yet another archvillain, they have no choice but to bring English back from retirement to save the day. He does, or course. Eventually. After many hilariously counterproductive steps along the way. The script suits the star and subject well, and is briskly directed by David Kerr, who also spent most of his career working for small- screen productions. Well played, gents. You give us hope for more sequels that buck the dropoff norm.

© Mark Glass