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Johnny English Review

Other Critics provided by Metacritic.com

Critics scores range from 0 to 100, with higher scores indicating more favorable reviews.

  • 3.0
    51

    out of 100

    Metascore®
    Mixed or average reviews
    based on a weighted average of all
    critic review scores.

  • 38

    out of 100

    Chicago Sun-Times Roger Ebert

    Plays like a tired exercise, a spy spoof with no burning desire to be that, or anything else.

    Read Full Review

  • 50

    out of 100

    Chicago Tribune Robert K. Elder

    An old-fashioned comedy. And in this case, "old-fashioned" means tired, out of date and so abominably blah that you'll fall asleep in your popcorn.

    Read Full Review

  • 63

    out of 100

    USA Today Claudia Puig

    The jokes often are corny or labored, and the story is predictable. However, Atkinson raises the movie to the level of good fun by the force of his outrageous persona and skill at physical comedy.

    Read Full Review

  • 70

    out of 100

    Variety Derek Elley

    An extremely silly but effective enough romp for family audiences.

    Read Full Review

  • 75

    out of 100

    Entertainment Weekly Lisa Schwarzbaum

    The hilarious Malkovich, coiffed in an artful pageboy and savoring a fruity French accent, would overpower the competition on sheer thespian madness.

    Read Full Review

  • 80

    out of 100

    Los Angeles Times Kenneth Turan

    A comic actor of genius who raises silliness to an art form, the wonderfully expressive Atkinson makes excellent use of those devastating looks in the spy spoof Johnny English, where he turns up as a James Bond type more likely to kill adversaries by accident than on purpose.

    Read Full Review

  • 80

    out of 100

    The New York Times Dana Stevens

    Unlike most movies of this kind, which run out of steam and ideas as they go along, Johnny English gains momentum, nudging you along from a few stray giggles to helpless, giddy laughter.

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  • 80

    out of 100

    Wall Street Journal

    The movie is, at times, funny enough to make you cry, and, when it's not, it moves nicely as a parody.

  • See all Johnny English reviews at Metacritic.com

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For Families provided by Common Sense Media

OK for kids 8+

Fine (if pretty dumb) British slapstick for tweens.

What Parents Need to Know

Parents need to know that there are a few strong words ("ass") and some bathroom jokes in this slapstick comedy. Some spy adventure peril including guns, but no blood or intense violence. Kids not familiar with the long-term French-English political and cultural clashes may be confused by the animosity between the French and English characters.

  • Families can talk about how comedy can diffuse violence. How owuld this movie's violence have affected you differently if it wasn't portrayed humorously?
  • What kind of character is Johnny English? Is he a hero?

The good stuff
  • educationalvalue true0

    Educational value: Intended to entertain, not educate.

  • message true0

    Messages: Vague messages about good vs. evil, but all played for laughs. Some potty humor.

  • rolemodels true0

    Role models: The main character is a bumbling fool whose intentions might be in the right place, but he's such a fool that he's certainly no role model.

What to watch for
  • violence false2

    Violence and scariness: Comic peril including shooting and fighting, no one hurt.

  • sex false2

    Sexy stuff: A bare bottom meant for laughs; mild sexual references.

  • language false2

    Language: Some potty talk and a few instances of "ass."

  • consumerism false0

    Consumerism: Not an issue

  • drugsalcoholtobacco false1

    Drinking, drugs and smoking: Some social drinking.

An independent nonprofit dedicated to providing families the information they need to help kids thrive in a world of media and technology.

© Common Sense Media Inc. 2010. All rights reserved.

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Fan Reviews provided by

Average Rating: 3.625
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5

Review title (optional) by hunt8
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5

by geoelevation25

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