Johnny English Strikes Again

This review may contain spoilers!

I have to say, this is probably my favourite Johnny English film yet. I would give Johnny English Strikes Again a 7/10.

Something that has really surprised me about the back half of this year is just how good comedy films are to watch again, films like Tag and The Happytime Murders have already impressed and now the third Johnny English film comes along staving off any semblance of sequel-itis. The strength of these spy comedies is the real slapstick, quirky nature behind the main protagonist, he's completely captivating to watch and manages to find a new shtick in each new scene. This is a film in which comedic timing is perfect, punchlines are set up clearly and each major skit-like scene has the audience doubled up laughing. The cinematography is the best it has ever looked in a Johnny English film, using dynamic camerawork for high pursuit chases or exquisite establishing shots of settings where confrontation shall occur. The score manages to maintain the light tone well, yet the real strength is the soundtrack with one of the best scenes in the film utilising Darude's 'Sandstorm' extremely well.

Emma Thompson, who played the Prime Minister, gives a hilarious Theresa May-esque parody in this film; her tirades around inaction and a desperate need to be near alcohol make for a rather entertaining political figure. Olga Kurylenko, who played Ophelia, does an amazing job at presenting this lethal spy alongside Atkinson's extremely bumbling one; Kurylenko presents a character who is cool under pressure and has the capacity to be extremely deadly. Ben Miller, who played Bough, is a truly welcome returning role; Miller was missed in Johnny English Reborn and it's nice to see him return with such strong chemistry alongside his onscreen partner. Michael Gambon, Edward Fox and Charles Dance, who played Former MI-7 Agents respectively, are a really nice unexpected cameo; this is a scene of immense acting talent presenting a sense of decorum that contrasts nicely with Atkinson's English.

However, the best performance came from Rowan Atkinson, who played the title role of Johnny English. It's no great shock that Atkinson shines throughout he has in all the other films up to this point. Where it really stems from is just how much he attempts with the role, always trying a new gag or piece of physical comedy. Atkinson is just so purposeful and expressive in how he performs, there's never a point where the comedy feels lewd or crass because he's just so natural at making humour feel clear and effortless. This is one of those nice roles where he has to be shown as exceptionally serious while doing things the audience can perceive to be silly, a contrast Atkinson has to a fine art at this point.

This film completely nails every aspect that makes it a comedy, there are non-stop laughs at most every turn. The problem comes when you take the time to focus upon the plot. Throughout the antagonist proclaims how much he loves 'data', all while spouting some technical jargon that never really makes any sense. His big plan? To shut off the internet and hold the world hostage as a result. Not only is this such a played out plot but as we've seen in the past the screenwriter just doesn't have the knowledge to be writing anything like that. The result is something just over the top and nonsensical, it's a step down from the moments of clever comedic wit shown throughout. The special effects for the film aren't amazing either, a lot of the green screen settings feel imposed and the submarine missile launch scene (while hilarious) feels quite superficial because the film suddenly relies on such a significant technical element.

Jake Lacy, who played Jason, has had a rough run so far this year; his antagonist in Rampage was less than successful and now his portrayal of a tech mogul who never really seems fully convinced with what he's talking about is quite the let down too. Adam James, who played Pegasus, is the first excessively bland portrayal of Pegasus we've had in a Johnny English film; James just pushes exposition and a dry tone often falling to the background in scenes with Miller, Atkinson and Thompson.