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| Rowan Atkinson in Black Adder TV series (1982) |
Do you know Rowan Atkinson? No?
Do you know Mr. Bean? I'm pretty sure 99% of you know him.
Rowan Atkinson is ultimately famous because of his role as Mr. Bean, a stupid and super creative man who live in UK with his VW car and Teddy Bear. It was broadcast from 1990 until 1995 and has been sold in 245 territories worldwide. On 1997, Working Title created a Mr. Bean movie tittled "Bean : The Ultimate Disaster Movie" and it was a major success with total worldwide gross US$251,212,670 on a budget estimated at US$18 million. So, it's no brainer to make a sequel even critics didn't like it. Mr. Bean's Holiday, The sequel from 1997's Bean movie, was finally being released on March 2007 and once again, it was a massive success with total worldwide gross US$ 229,736,344.
Beside his famous role as Mr. Bean, Rowan Atkinson was also taking roles in various movies, such as Johnny English, The Lion King (Zazu's Voice), Love Actually (cameo), Rat Race (supporting role), etc.
Johnny English is his first movie (beside his Bean movie) that got a sequel treatment.
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| Laugh at the face of danger! [Click image for larger size] |
Studio : Universal / Working Title
Release Date : September 15th, 2011 (wide), October 7th, 2011 (UK,US)
Genre : Action, Comedy
Casts : Rowan Atkinson, Rosamund Pike, Pierce Brosnan, Dominic West
Director : Oliver Parker
Budget : $40 million
Rating : PG
Here is the official sypnosis from Universal Pictures :
Rowan Atkinson returns to the role of the accidental 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.
Comment :
The first Johnny English wasn't a massive success. It was only gross $28 million in US market from $40 million budget and sat at #5 on its opening weekend. But international audiences loved it and added a mediocre $140 million. But $160 million worldwide gross is enough for Universal to make a sequel from this spy-comedy flick to win international audiences once again after its nearly a decade debut.
From the early reviews, many said that Johnny English 2 is an improvement from its predecessor, both in storyline and Rowan Atkinson's antiques.
Here is one of those reviewer said :
"Johnny English 2 will be a nice popcorn no brainier to take the family to see in October, if you enjoyed the first movie then this is MUCH better."
So far, I could say that Johnny English 2 may not break any box office records, but sure, Johnny English still can get a lot more dollars than its predecessor because Universal released Johnny English in October, which there is no blockbuster movie (except Real Steel), instead in Summer like its predecessor.
Overall, Johnny English is still a good entertainment to watch with a whole family (Rated PG). And of course, for those who miss Mr. Bean antiques especially Rowan Atkinson's fans, this is definitely a must watch.
ENGLISH'S FIRST MISSION : WHEN JAMES BOND MEETS MR. BEAN
He Knows No Fear. He Knows No Danger. He Knows Nothing.
JOHNNY ENGLISH
Studio : Universal / Working Title/ Studio Cannal
Release Date : July 18th, 2003
Genre : Action, Comedy
Casts : Rowan Atkinson, John Malkovich, Natalie Imbruglia, Ben Miller
Director : Peter Howitt
Budget : $35 million
US Gross : $28,082,366
Worldwide Gross : $160,583,018
Rating : PG
Running Time : 87 minutes
Plot :
In an uncertain world, few things are as dependable as the British Secret Service. So when an unthinkable plan to filch the country's beloved Crown Jewels comes to the Service's attention, the best man for the job, the creme de la creme of the organization's super sleuths, Agent Number One is quickly assigned to the case and is quickly dispatched to six feet under. But unfortunately for the B.S.S., virtually every other able member of its esteemed ranks soon joins Agent Number One in the afterworld when the funeral is being bombed! Now there is only one man remaining who can even hope to protect his country, avenge the elimination of all of the Secret Service's spies and uncover the fiendish plot to make off with the lasting symbols of the once supreme British empire, the Crown Jewels--Johhny English. He knows no fear. He knows no danger. In fact, he knows absolutely nothing.
Comments :
While its Storyline is stupid and lacks of tense or twist, Johnny English is still very funny thanks to Rowan Atkinson, he really saved this movie's ass.
