Hatrack River Forum: Johnny English Reborn: Rowan Atkinson (Mr. Bean) Returns

This is topic Johnny English Reborn: Rowan Atkinson (Mr. Bean) Returns in forum Books, Films, Food and Culture at Hatrack River Forum.

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Posted by Aros (Member # 4873) on :

So . . . I love Rowan Atkinson. Black Adder was gold. Mr. Bean was really good. Johnny English, however was a mostly terrible affair -- Rowan had a breakdown after it failed on every level to obtain any critical or commercial success.

So, they're making a sequel. Here's the trailer (if you're still reading): http://www.johnnyenglishreborn.com/home

Some thoughts:
- The first movie was bad and almost nobody saw it. Even though there's no positive branding, maybe the lack of awareness will actually be a good thing.
- Parts of the trailer are strong, but I felt a good deal of it was rather unfunny. Not a good omen.
- The first Bean movie was bad (read, 90's Fox made-for-tv-movie bad). Mr. Bean's Holiday, released almost 10 years later, was fantastic -- better (in my opinion) than the series it was based upon. Hopefully Rowan has learned a lesson?
- We know this man can be funny. He is (at least as of a few years ago) the highest grossing British comedian. He's a great writer. Maybe this can be good? *crosses fingers*

We'll wait and see, but I am (cautiously) optimistic. I wonder if his good friend Hugh Laurie (House) had any involvement in getting this greenlit.

Posted by Aros (Member # 4873) on :

Well, it appears that the writer has quite the acclaim on IMDB -- even if this is his first major writing credit (though he has been doing writing for the British theater company Complicite for many years). He is also credited with the story for Mr. Bean's Holiday.

Posted by Nighthawk (Member # 4176) on :

quote:
Originally posted by Aros:
- The first movie was bad and almost nobody saw it. Even though there's no positive branding, maybe the lack of awareness will actually be a good thing.

I know I saw the original. I don't remember when... or where... or even why... But I know I saw it. And I don't remember a thing about it.

Thank God for repressed memories!

Posted by mr_porteiro_head (Member # 4644) on :

I was about to say that the only thing I remember about Johnny English was that Anne Hathaway is really really pretty.

But then I realized that that was from the Steve Carell remake of Get Smart.

So, yeah, I remember absolutely nothing about it as well.

Posted by BlackBlade (Member # 8376) on :

I liked the original Bean movie, I didn't LOVE it, but I liked it just fine. Johnny English I was just so confused how it could have turned out so poorly. When I heard a sequel was being made I whinced, but I earnestly hope they get it right because Rowan Atkinson can be so so funny.

What I'd like is for them to lampoon the whole "dark gritty" direction that they've taken Bond and so many other series into. [Big Grin]