The most prominent heads of state in the world begin gathering for a conference that could have a major impact on global politics. When MI-7 receives word that the Chinese premier has become the target of some high-powered killers, it falls on Johnny English to save the day. Armed with the latest high-tech weaponry and gadgets that would make even James Bond jealous, the once-disgraced agent uncovers evidence of a massive conspiracy involving some of the world's most powerful organisations, and vows to redeem his tarnished reputation by stopping the killers before they can strike.
Joke after joke falls painfully flat. Stay home and introduce your kids to Mr. Bean, instead.
– Elizabeth Weitzman,
New York Daily News,
21 Oct 2011
rotten:
It would seem to appeal mostly to hard-core fans of the "Mr. Bean'' star and children who laugh at the sight of men being repeatedly kicked in the groin.
– Lou Lumenick,
New York Post,
21 Oct 2011
rotten:
At gunpoint I might confess to smiling when English pummeled the Queen of England with a tea tray, but the babysitters for the target audience will know that his best bits are burgled from Austin Powers.
– Joe Williams,
St. Louis Post-Dispatch,
21 Oct 2011
fresh:
Johnny English Reborn is funny enough to make you laugh and plausible enough, in an exploding-umbrella type of way, to make you care.
– Kate Taylor,
Globe and Mail,
21 Oct 2011
rotten:
Atkinson revives the comic secret agent that he first introduced in a series of TV ads in the UK, but this thin script gives him nothing remotely like a rebirth.