Johnny English Reborn (02/28/2012)

Ratied PG for mild action violence, rude humor, some language and brief sensuality.

Starring Rowan Atkinson, Gillian Anderson, Rosamund Pike and Dominic West

Directed by Oliver Parker

Your opinion of this film will be completely based on your opinion of Rowan Atkinson. You either get his humor of or you don’t. If you do, you will laugh until your face hurts, but if you don’t…well if you don’t, then don’t even bother.

Rowan Atkinson returns to the role of the improbable secret agent who doesn’t know fear or danger in the comedy spy-thriller Johnny English Reborn. In his latest adventure, the most unlikely intelligence officer in Her Majesty’s Secret Service must stop a group of international assassins before they eliminate a world leader and cause global chaos. In the years since MI-7’s top spy vanished off the grid, he has been honing his unique skills in a remote region of Asia. But when his agency superiors learn of an attempt against the Chinese Premier’s life, they must hunt down the highly unorthodox agent. Now that the world needs him once again, Johnny English is back in action. With one shot at redemption, he must employ the latest in hi-tech gadgets to unravel a web of conspiracy that runs throughout the KGB, CIA and even MI-7. With mere days until a heads of state conference, one man must use every trick in his playbook to protect us all. For Johnny English, disaster may be an option, but failure never is.

I’ve always been told that not everyone appreciates British humor. Well I am a huge fan of Monty Python’s Search for the Holy Grail, but I do not get Rowan Atkinson. So whether he is Mr. Bean or Johnny English, I just don’t find him funny.

So as I sat down to watch Johnny English Reborn, I hoped for the best but expected the worst. And over the next hour and a half, I experienced more of the worst. I mean how many times can you see a complete idiot outwit 12 highly trained assassins?

Although there is a decent cast, their characters and lines all take backseat to the ridiculous antics of Johnny English – only one of which made me laugh. There is a scene when Johnny is in a very serious meeting and is sitting in a chair next to the Prime Minister. The chair has an electronic height adjusting feature. Well first Johnny’s waist is clear above the table and when he tries to correct it, he finds himself so low he is about eye level. Sure it’s ridiculous, but it made me laugh.

The story also takes a backseat. I mean I know there was one, but honestly I don’t remember much of it…nor do I care to. My suspicion is that people who love these films enjoy the characters getting kicked in the groin more than the story anyway.

I’m giving it an Only If Free, but a better score would be Only If you are a Fan.

SHOULD KIDS SEE IT?
This is a PG movie with just a few things to be concerned about. Like a woman striping down to a bikini or some over exaggerated fight scenes.

Conversation Starter
Three Simple Questions (with Answers You May Be Looking for):

Q: What’s the message/theme of this movie?
A: In the movie, Johnny has spent the last few years in isolation because of his remorse over security failures that lead to an assassination of a public figure. The question we need think about is how do we handle guilt and remorse?

Q: How do you suppose we—as serious Christ-followers—should react to this movie?
A: Let’s look at what the Bible has to say about guilt and remorse.
After David’s sin with Bathsheba, and his confrontation with the Prophet Nathan (2 Samuel 11&12), he is overcome with remorse. Take a minute to read his words recorded in Psalm 51.

Have mercy on me, O God,
because of your unfailing love.
Because of your great compassion,
blot out the stain of my sins.
Wash me clean from my guilt.
Purify me from my sin.
For I recognize my rebellion;
it haunts me day and night.
Against you, and you alone, have I sinned;
I have done what is evil in your sight.
You will be proved right in what you say,
and your judgment against me is just.
For I was born a sinner—
yes, from the moment my mother conceived me.
But you desire honesty from the womb,
teaching me wisdom even there.

Purify me from my sins, and I will be clean;
wash me, and I will be whiter than snow.
Oh, give me back my joy again;
you have broken me—
now let me rejoice.
Don’t keep looking at my sins.
Remove the stain of my guilt.
Create in me a clean heart, O God.
Renew a loyal spirit within me.
Do not banish me from your presence,
and don’t take your Holy Spirit from me.

Restore to me the joy of your salvation,
and make me willing to obey you.
Then I will teach your ways to rebels,
and they will return to you.
Forgive me for shedding blood, O God who saves;
then I will joyfully sing of your forgiveness.
Unseal my lips, O Lord,
that my mouth may praise you.

Have you ever felt that kind of remorse?

In this passage David cries out, “Create in me a clean heart, O God.” What do you think that means?

Q: How can we move from healthy, Bible-based opinions about this movie to actually living out those opinions?
A: As we read David’s words, we can’t help be reminded of our own sin. So let’s take a moment to cry out to God and confess our own sins. Let’s ask him to create in us a clean heart. You don’t need to say anything out loud, you can silently confess your sin to our loving, forgiving, gracious Father.

And as we prepare to do that, let’s read 1 John 1:9, “But if we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness.”