If the ambition is to provide two hours of instantly forgettable, popcorn-munching escapism, it succeeds.

This is a coming of age storyline that you've seen in one form or another for decades. It takes a truly unique voice to make yet another one worth watching.

This is a small, humorous movie in some ways, but it has a huge heart. What a nice experience.

Story: It's very simple but honestly that is fine.

In "Mr Bean's Holiday" from British Director Steve Bendelack the world-famous Rowan Atkinson character gets a wider canvas than the TV show allowed him, speaks - just a little, and perhaps tames his darker side somewhat. As a bonus, many of the French settings are gorgeous, and a certain rather pleasing chemistry develops between Bean and a Russian boy played by (authentically-Russian-speaking) Brit child actor Max(im) Baldry; only for this to extend rather neatly into a small circle once it starts to include the archetypal carefree and beautiful (and Mini-driving) young French lady played just superbly - without much effort at all - by Emma de Caunes. The fact that this young beauty allows her character to join Bean in doing certain comedic and occasionally even dumb things offers a huge and joyful - and sexy - kick for the viewer. It is thanks largely to the benevolence and acceptance personified by this character (Sabine - and what else could she be called, really?) that, in this section of the film at least, misfit Bean somehow begins to fit in, and it's a delight, rather than a disappointment, and one only highlighted by a conflict-cooperation scenario evolving with the aid of a pretentious American film director encountered previously by the key characters and nicely done by actor Willem Dafoe - who sends himself up very proficiently indeed.In a way that harks back to many a musical you've seen, this all crescendoes into our entire cast plus a host of extras parading along Cannes beach and singing along with Charles Trenet's "La Mer". It's a surprisingly powerful and truly heartwarming ending, and one we've reached via what are, in the film's terms, a series of entirely logical steps (including steps taken off a tallish building, via a descending step-like series of vehicles!!). This is Harold Lloyd in 2007.Similar logical steps leading to crazy disaster and mayhem are taken earlier on in the film, too, as Atkinson's Bean moves through a series of escalating mishaps that frustrate the audience (almost to their limits?) at regular intervals as his basically well-meaning wish to help out sees him lose luggage, ticket, passport and so on, and thus inevitably condemns him to fall foul of authority figures. There is a great deal of Laurel and Hardy in this scenario, which contrasts markedly - if effectively and even necessarily - with the above-described second half of the film. Again reminiscent of some aspects of Stan and Ollie are gags that leave one feeling momentarily queasy, but of course do Bean no lasting harm - Bean doing oysters and langoustines in a station restaurant is a case in point, and may indeed prove "hard to swallow" for the viewer!A key question might be how many of the gags really came straight out of Atkinson's head, but the likely answer would seem to be "many", and of course this also at times denotes innocent silliness turning to what is - by Bean standards at least - sly or vengeful or pseudo-competitive activity.The fact that this gives way to feelgood later on may represent a slight betrayal of the character's heritage, but on the whole it's rewarding for the viewer. Probably essential and wise too, since a whole film on the lines of the first half might prove too waring and wearying. Overall, this eclectic approach continually minds us of Laurel and Hardy and Chaplin, occasionally even Keaton or the aforesaid Lloyd. However, since we're in France, thoughts are also inevitably going to stray to the tradition of the great Jacques Tati. It then becomes most interesting for the more careful and aware viewer to assess how clever Atkinson's dumb act can look in the esteemed company the above comedians represent. All in all, the answer for me would be "pretty clever", and I found much to admire in the film's handling of itself.

This second movie follows the error of the first as Bean stays abroad and faraway of his British soil! I don't understand the reason to cut his roots except for greedy international box office! Here as the producer is french so Bean goes to France! His vision my country is fair (whereas the maps of his travels aren't): dense, modern Paris and a desert but beautiful countryside outside! This sequel is not as funny as the first but I could giggle all along, which is rather enjoyable! Rowan proves he is a genius in mime and seeing comedy in every place or situation! However the ending with Cannes festival is totally crap (the french producer organizes it with its TV) and really hurts the quality of the movie! Finally, my advice would be to stick with his original TV show!!

Mr. Bean's Holiday (2007): Dir: Steve Bendelack / Cast: Rowan Atkinson, Emma De Caunes, Willem Dafoe, Max Baldry, Jean Rochefort: Every bit the disaster the first film was only this time the holiday in question regards his absent mind. Mr. Bean wins a trip to the beaches of Cannes but when he asks a random stranger to video tape his departure onto the train he accidentally separates a father and son. Just one random act of stupidity after another with no story or care. Arriving ten years after the pitiful first film, director Steve Bendelack does his best but comes away with virtually a longer version of what is seen on TV. Rowan Atkinson plays Bean as a sort of homage to silent stars and his antics work a tad better here than in the previous film. His raffle ticket setup for the vacation is amusing but from there it is the basic plot weighted by antics. His dealing with the film reel at Cannes in the conclusion adds a bit of humanity that works. Emma De Caunes is wasted as an actress who picks up Bean. She is making her film debut and must get to Cannes. Willem Dafoe plays a frustrated director in what is a major fall for an actor capable of much better. Max Baldry plays the boy whom Mr. Bean will reunite with his father, as if we couldn't predict that. The TV program featuring Mr. Bean is so much better and funnier than this. This holiday is a complete waste of time. Score: 3 ½ / 10

Not the best Bean, but still a fun movie. Rowan Atkinson is one of the all time greats in physical comedy. While the movie is not quite as ridiculous as other Bean stuff and comes off as a bit weak compared to most of it, this movie was filmed in lovely locations and is unexpectedly heartwarming, which makes up for some of its shortcomings. This is a pretty soft way to introduce the Bean character to people who might otherwise be resistant to slapstick. Just tell them this one is filmed in gorgeous France, so they can enjoy the beautiful scenery if nothing else--it's a true statement and if you're lucky it will function like a gateway drug to the harder and better Bean stuff.