Johnny English Strikes Again: Is the Joke Wearing Thin?
A comedic take on espionage, “Johnny English Strikes Again” follows the misadventures of Britain’s most inept spy, suggesting that Johnny English might be past his prime, and Mr. Bean’s brand of humor may no longer resonate.
On the eve of a crucial summit of world leaders, Britain faces a massive cyberattack, crippling transportation, hospitals, and government institutions, while exposing the identities of MI7’s secret agents. To salvage the nation’s reputation, the intelligence agency is forced to call upon retired agents, including Johnny English, now a geography teacher. In pursuit of the hacker, the disgraced spy, who has saved the Crown on numerous occasions, delves into the world of information technology, virtual reality, and artificial intelligence, armed only with outdated Cold War-era gadgets. As usual, his clumsiness, combined with incredible luck, helps English overcome any adversary.
As we know from countless movies, the world is constantly on the brink of disaster, and we are saved from imminent doom by the selfless acts of special agents, spies, and intelligence officers. Usually, it’s the serious types who cut the right wire on the bomb at the last moment. But sometimes, James Bond is awaiting a new director, Jason Bourne has retired, and Ethan Hunt has fallen out of favor with his superiors. Then, Johnny English takes center stage – the most absurd spy in British intelligence, who every seven years or so, brings the English aristocracy, and the rest of the world, down to earth with his comical antics.
The plot of the film is hardly worth mentioning; it’s such a ridiculous patchwork that dwelling on the twists and turns is pointless. Everything is built around simple gags, Rowan Atkinson’s forte. The audience is treated like a naive child, led by the hand even to the most obvious jokes. If they say the car is running out of gas, you know the chase will be interrupted at the most crucial moment. If they show pills that provide an energy boost, rest assured, English will take them before bed and head to a disco. If the military asks to turn off cell phones near a submarine, you can bet Johnny will initiate a missile launch with his phone. In between, there will be an energetic dance, wild tongue-wagging, and ridiculous falls from parapets, windows, and porches. Mr. Bean, I mean, Johnny English, is in his element.
Saving Graces and Familiar Faces
If you recall, in previous installments, Atkinson was saved from complete failure by his co-stars. First, John Malkovich and Natalie Imbruglia, then Rosamund Pike, Gillian Anderson, and Dominic West prevented the films from descending into utter farce. This time, the comedian is rescued by the charming Olga Kurylenko, playing a Russian spy, the incomparable Emma Thompson, taking on the role of a dim-witted British Prime Minister, and Jake Lacy, transforming into an “evil Zuckerberg” who dreams of conquering the world with digital technology. The actors are unlikely to look back on this work with pride, but they perform their task to a solid “satisfactory” level, giving your eyes a break from the endless silly grimaces of the main character.
Glimmers of Charm and Meaning
However, we won’t paint the entire film in bleak colors; it has a certain charm and even hints at meaning. The charm lies in the magnificent landscapes of the South of France and the cliffs of Scotland, shown with great affection, and in the slight retro feel to everything English touches. The meaning lies in the not-so-original idea that the digital world is not as good as the old “analog” one. Yes, there are enough conservatives in Britain and Hollywood who prefer roaring diesel engines to economical eco-cars, cash to plastic cards, and a good old pistol to the most modern smartphone. And that’s not bad, because the future is impossible without the past; you shouldn’t break away from your roots, even when you’re reaching for the brightest prospects.
The Verdict: Time to Retire the Character?
But who will dream of the digital world or, conversely, indulge in nostalgia at the sight of a bright red Aston Martin, when Atkinson is on screen trying to carve a lobster, eating spicy nuts, walking around in knight’s armor, or immersed in a computer simulator of hand-to-hand combat? Here, you either laugh until you cry or fidget nervously in your seat, thinking: “Why didn’t I go to ‘The Nun’? At least the actors aren’t embarrassing…” Despite the comic talent of the esteemed British actor, Rowan, it seems he himself is tired of such roles, and therefore “Johnny English Strikes Again” looks like a heavy legacy that would be good to leave in the past. After all, there is a time for everything, and the time for parodies of Bond, apparently, has long passed.