Johnny English - Now more than ever

The James Bond parody Johnny English was a real affair of the heart for Rowan Atkinson (Mr. Bean). Although the action comedy didn't quite live up to expectations of success, a sequel was always a real pipe dream for the makers. Eight years after his first outing, Johnny English now gets a second chance to convince moviegoers of his comedic potential. Unfortunately, this second chance is only used to a limited extent.

After botching a mission in Mozambique, top spy Johnny English retreated to a Tibetan monastery. For eight years, English has tried to cope with the shame of his failure and regain his inner peace. But now the former agent is needed again by his homeland. For an assassination attempt is to be made on the Chinese Prime Minister during the next British-Chinese talks, which only a master agent like English can prevent. But as soon as he returns to England, he finds that much has changed in his homeland. His employer MI7 has not only a new sponsor, but also a new boss (Gillian Anderson), who makes it clear to English from the start that his old methods are no longer welcome here. With a new partner at his side, he is to travel to Hong Kong to track down a CIA agent who could lead them directly to the assassins. And so, after eight years off duty, Johnny English plunges into a new adventure that could redeem his tarnished reputation - and puts his foot in his mouth.

Johnny English - Now More Than Ever has some very funny moments that not only friends of the first film, but Rowan Atkinson fans in general will surely enjoy. For in the comedy's best moments, Atkinson is on top form, delivering physical comedy and facial acrobatics at their finest. The affectionate nod to the James Bond films and other agent adventures also makes for some moments worth watching, and while they don't always end in hearty laughter, they do make for some big grins nonetheless.

Again, there are also all sorts of scenes where the film tries too hard to be funny. Especially in the first half, these moments dominate. Director Oliver Parker (The Picture of Dorian Gray, The Girls of St. Trinian's) somehow can't quite decide whether the basic tone of the film should be more crude brute humour, or rather more enigmatic wit. Atkinson himself is a little bit too much effort, which can be seen on his face, which is why these moments are more to be embarrassed about than to laugh at.

But fortunately the film finds its pace and its wit and in the end has both the sympathies and the laughs of the audience on its side. With Rosamund Pike (Die Another Day), Johnny English is even joined by a real Bond girl, whose charm and rather restrained style make her a good counterbalance to Atkinson's performance. But X-Files star Gillian Anderson, The Wire actor Dominic West and Daniel Kaluuya as English's new, very trying partner Agent Tucker also fit in well with the turbulent proceedings.

So in the end, it can be said that Johnny English's second screen appearance does come off a bit cramped at the beginning and falls far short of its comedic potential. But thanks to some very amusing ideas and some funny gags at least fans of Rowan Atkinson and such viewers who already liked part 1 will get their money's worth. Therefore: with restrictions just worth seeing

An article by Frankfurt-Tipp