Johnny English Review

Rowan Atkinson found international fame with the success of his "Mr Bean" TV show and subsequent movie, and fans of that slapstick friendly version of the talented comedian (as opposed to the acerbic star of the classic "Black Adder" TV shows) will no doubt enjoy "Johnny English," which sees him return to the role of the bungling and inept James Bond wannabe he played in a series of ads for Barclaycard a few years back. In it he plays a desk bound junior agent who is forced onto the front line following the untimely demise of all of MI7's field agents. Soon it is left to him (and his loyal sidekick, played by TV funny man Ben Miller) to foil an attempt by evil Frenchman John Malkovich to become King of England.

The caper certainly starts promisingly enough with a spot on parody of a classic Bond song performed by Robbie Williams. And the good news is that the ever-funny Atkinson delivers a perfectly timed performance throughout. While adults may well find the script rather too predictable and the pranks a little too childish for their tastes, the rather less discerning - and younger - viewer will sit back and let the well signposted gags awake those giggles. With its family friendly PG certificate 'Johnny English' should find many a fan of school age, but for older viewers the movie's essential problem remains that Mike Myers has done it better before, with his raunchier and more original version of Bond, Austin Powers.