Don't listen to the negative reviews

Let me be very fair here, this is not the best movie in my opinion. But, this movie is fun, it has purpose and is very enjoyable to watch.

A terrific literary drama and character piece that shows how the process of creating art can be seen differently by those doing it and those looking at it from the outside.

Very good movie overall, highly recommended. Most of the negative reviews don't have any merit and are all pollitically based. Give this movie a chance at least, and it might give you a different perspective.

Why on earth is this film rated so low?Its an excellent comedy in its on right, in its own style. More for a younger audience, yes, but that shouldn't affect an objective rating.My rating is based on the first time I saw it in the cinema, aged 14. A silly film, yes, but not a significant step down in depth/quality on blackadder, for instance- as some claim.Criticisms in the bad reviews are silly, irrelevant and non objective.

There aren't really any characters, or even any caricatures, in this relatively limp spy satire, meaning that most of the jokes simply fall flat because there isn't a lens through which to view them. Even when they do manage to evoke a chuckle, it's usually a bemused one, because it's clear that much of the picture should be funny but just isn't and indeed that a majority of it shouldn't work but just does, to its own somewhat handicapped extent, thanks only to its physically brilliant star. The whole flick is like a friend that you like but you're not sure why, that guy who turns up at parties and makes awkward jokes that you smile at because you feel like you should, and as a result I found myself smiling more in anticipation of the gags than in the wake of them, reluctant to admit that this childhood classic of mine might not be as good as I initially thought, but also not entirely surprised when I came to the conclusion that it really isn't and that I am strangely okay with that. 5/10

Johnny English (2003): Dir: Peter Howitt / Cast: Rowan Atkinson, John Malkovich, Natalie Imbruglia, Ben Miller, Oliver Ford Davies: Spoof of a sub genre that has been spoofed many times. The writers didn't hurt themselves on plot ideas so they came up with a concept that is as old as rocks. It regards the stealing of the Queen's crown jewels that agent Johnny English was suppose to protect. He is the only agent available because the others died in an explosion. The rest involves English and his constant miscalculations and mishaps. Conclusion is effective due to timing and directing by Peter Howitt. He previously made Sliding Doors as well as the idiotic Antitrust. Rowan Atkinson has good intentions but he mugs every scene to the point where the jokes misfire. John Malkovich as the French heir is uninteresting, which is unfortunate considering the quality of actor Malkovich is. Natalie Imbruglia as a female agent is useless because her role renders her merely as an attraction. Ben Miller plays English's smart sidekick in what is clearly a reference to the superior Pink Panther films. Oliver Ford Davies plays an Archbishop who manages to fall victim to the prat falls of a bad script as well. The film could have examined the idea of multiple agents but everything including the phony sets is tiring until Atkinson succeeds in burying the idea that was already buried. Score: 4 / 10

I decided to watch the first Johnny English with my son cause he likes Mister Bean a lot and me of course too. The other reason is that actually they show Johnny English - Reborn at the theaters. I really expected more but the story was very simply built. The action and spy scenes were well executed but all a copy from other thriller movies. The funny scenes were therefore good and original. I had to laugh very much at times. The actors especially John Malkovich delivered a credible role as the future King of England. It worked for an entertaining evening but not more. It deserves a good 6.5/10.If you like Rowan Atkinson in other movies so don't miss "Mr. Bean's Holiday". You won't regret it.