DVD Review: Johnny English Reborn

Tuesday, February 21, 2012 6:00

Rowan Atkinson as Johnny English. Photo / Supplied

British comedian Rowan Atkinson knows how to keep us wanting more. He doesn't like to do movies more than every four or five years so, when he hits the screen, it is generally good news for us.

Atkinson left Mr Bean behind a few years ago and replaced him with super (bumbling) spy Johnny English.

We first met him in 2003 when he made his silver-screen debut.

Somehow, through a lot of luck, good fortune and help, he made himself invaluable to the British Secret Service, MI7.

But in the interim life turned bad for Johnny and we find him here in a Tibetan monastery trying to forget a mission that went very badly for him.

He had a humiliating fall from grace when a high-profile security assignment in Mozambique went spectacularly wrong. Johnny is hoping the monastery will help him find his inner peace, a peace that is disturbed by an urgent call from his former bosses.

They need him - now.

There is an assassination attempt planned against the Chinese Premier during a crucial meeting coming up with the British Prime Minister and the man with all the information will talk only to Johnny.

When the informant is killed, an international odyssey begins to find out, before it is too late, who is behind the plot.

With the help of the latest hi-tech gadgets, Johnny stumbles and bumbles forward.

As he digs deeper, he realises he is dealing with rogue agents from the CIA, KGB and MI7. One wrong step and his mission could be over prematurely.

Atkinson's comic talents lift Johnny English like no one else could. Give me Johnny over James Bond any day.