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Awix (3310 KP) rated Johnny English Strikes Again (2018) in Movies

Oct 10, 2018

Johnny English Strikes Again (2018)

2018 | Action, Adventure, Comedy

6.1

(42 Ratings)

Movie Rating

Unwanted and underwhelming third outing for Rowan Atkinson's credit-card-advert-character from long ago. When a cyber-attack on the British government exposes the identity of every active agent, retired spy/moron Johnny English is brought back to find those responsible. Much obvious slapstick and many painfully telegraphed punchlines ensue; I did laugh a bit, but possibly out of sympathy.

This time around it seems obvious that the film is being pitched towards a very young audience, which explains its general silliness and reluctance to engage in anything resembling actual satire - as it is, the film's capacity to get real-world issues utterly wrong is almost uncanny (Britain and the Russians team up to stop cyber-terrorists). On the other hand, some of it feels aimed at older viewers who are generally suspicious and resentful of the modern world (the internet is bad, smartphones are bad, the Health and Safety Act is silly, etc). Maybe it's meant to be a film for right-wing grandparents to take their kids' kids to.

On the other hand, it's Rowan Atkinson, who is a superbly gifted clown, and there are inevitably a few amusing bits along the way - but not nearly enough, given his talent. Hopefully this is as close to actually not being funny as he will ever get.