Johnny English Strikes Again Review
Johnny English Strikes Again is the third installment in this surprising comedy franchise starring Rowan Atkinson as the titular character. Like the previous one this sequel was quite unexpected. Arriving seven years after Johnny English Reborn, Strikes Again takes an aged Johnny English and throws him back into the world of spies where a cyber terrorist is attacking his beloved country.
The film opens with a devastating hack against MI7 where all of their active agents have been exposed. The new British Prime Minister, played by the always delightful Emma Thompson, is against the ropes as she tries to calm this situation that could be deadly to her career, and orders that agents currently retired should be brought back as their files were not uncovered. Cut to Johnny English, geography teacher, promoting the MI7 program to his middle school students.
Off the bat Johnny English Strikes Again starts off strong. Threat is established, Johnny English is still the same spy, and we have a reunion with Bough from the first film. The comedy thus far is quick and witty, a tad predictable, but it does the job for setting the movie up. The biggest theme this movie is tackling, it seems, is the aged old new vs old. Cyber hacker that understands the internet vs Johnny English, analog spy who doesn't even own a phone. So naturally most of the comedy presented in this feature is about that difference in generations.
Some of the comedy works. In particular the beginning where Johnny is getting caught up on how MI7 has changed over the years, and how their "Q" is more of an Apple store than a badass gadget warehouse. Other times the comedy is highly predictable, like Johnny's assassination scene, that'll either still entertain you or leave you sighing in your seat. And while the comedy might be a mixed bag for most people it should still be noted how well these actors pulled them off. Olga Kurylenko and Ben Miller did a fantastic job when it was their time to shine. Atkinson puts every ounce of energy into this feature and makes full use of his talents when dealing with less than desirable bits. Combined, the cast has made a very energetic and appealing atmosphere for the film.
The film is the debut of director David Kerr, whose previous works are commercials and TV shows. For a debut film I thought this was handled very well. The camera placement and all the technical aspects that a director has to keep a consistent tone over were well handled, but ultimately it was the story that suffered the most. Johnny English Strikes Again isn't a bad film, but it is the most commercial Johnny English film, and felt studio made in the end. Many of the sketches are great, but they don't necessarily service the film. Take the inflatable shoe box. It was a big comedy sketch showcased in the trailer, but when you see the film you realize that was actually the whole scene. The film awkwardly cuts to Johnny and Bough climbing the boat afterward. It's a great scene, and personally one of my favorites, but it didn't serve the story. In the first film, Johnny and Bough descend upon a building for a heist. It's an intense, and giddy, scene that ends up with Johnny realizing he landed on the wrong building. This is a great joke because it serves the plot by giving Johnny conflict. Here, it's just a funny scene. We don't even see how they get out of that situation, and sadly most of the jokes are like that throughout the movie.
Ultimately, the film ends in one of the most fantastic allegories about modern and analog technology. Johnny English confronts the bad guy literally wearing a suit of armor and brandishing a sword, shuffling toward justice under the weight of armor. The villain? Runs away and uses his homemade iPhone knockoff to scare the world leaders. Oh, and did I mention they were in a castle? As far as third acts go Johnny English Strikes Again certainly went all out by creating the most outlandish, and deliciously satisfying, end to a modern spy movie.
All in all, this movie is a mixed bag. It's not the best Johnny English movie, but I wouldn't call it bad either. The jokes felt like they were created for the trailer, and not fully thought out as to how they would relate to the plot. Some storylines are brought back by the end of the movie, others are never touched upon again. Ultimately I left the theater laughing, and sighing, while enjoying a breezy time with some really amazing actors. Johnny English Strikes Again is a maybe, and a recommendation to rent it unless you're a fan like me.
