 | ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids. |
 | OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | NOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age. |
Johnny English Reborn
- Review Date: October 21, 2011
- PG
- Genre: Comedy
- 2011
Common Sense Media says
Slapstick-heavy spoof features dumbed-down humor for tweens.
Parents say
QUALITY
Kids say
QUALITY
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that this spy comedy is a sequel to Johnny English, a star vehicle for British comedian Rowan Atkinson (aka Mr. Bean). Like The Naked Gun's Frank Drebin, Johnny is a bumbling character who always ends up saving the day -- by accident. There's loads of rough slapstick, as well as weapons, martial arts fighting, explosions, and gun violence, but it's all played for laughs. The sexuality is limited to one brief kiss and some flirting, and the language is fairly mild ("damn," "bloody," "turd").
What's the story?
Johnny English (Rowan Atkinson) is hiding out in the mountains of Tibet, living with monks, when he's suddenly called back into spy duty: Director "Pegasus" (Gillian Anderson) needs English to help uncover a plot to kill the Chinese premier. With young agent Tucker (David Kaluuya) as his apprentice and a beautiful behaviorist (Rosamunde Pike) on board to lend her expertise, English still manages to bungle the mission, which is threatened at every turn by an elderly woman who's actually an assassin. As English and Tucker delve deeper into the assignment, they discover that their colleague (Dominic West) might be involved in the nefarious plot.
Is it any good?
Either you're a fan of Atkinson's brand of slapstick humor or you aren't, and if you can't stand the physical comedy or the gags involving him hitting someone he thinks is a villain but is actually a grandmother -- or the Queen! -- then this isn't a comedy worth seeing. And, frankly, even for Atkinson's fans, this isn't an example of his best work, like Rat Race or Mr. Bean's Holiday. A little dash of Atkinson goes a long way (Love Actually, Four Weddings and a Funeral), but an entire film can get tiresome (especially the kicks to the groin) -- even though there will of course be a couple of moments when you can't help but laugh at the absurdity.
A small saving grace is the fantastic cast. Anderson is one of America's rare actors who can successfully maintain an English accent, West is an underrated actor who should be cast in more than a throwaway supporting role, and newcomer Kaluuya holds his own as the comedic straight man to Atkinson's zany antics. Here's hoping his next project highlights his acting skills better than this silly spy spoof does.
What families can talk about
Families can talk about what makes spoofs funny. In what way does this movie contain the same elements as a regular spy film like the James Bond movies? How are those aspects turned into comedy?
Why do underdog characters, even silly ones like Johnny, elicit audience support? Who are some other cinematic underdogs we laugh with -- and at -- no matter how bumbling they might be?
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AGE
Silly slapstick comedy combines gunshots and sexual innuendo
Slapstick comedy, and how it appeals to kids. Especially boys. That's why they like to pretend to fall just for laughs. Because they see other people do it for laughs, and a few bucks. That said, there is a lot of slapstick comedy and some including sexual innuendo. And FYI there are some non-bloody gunshots. As far as drugs go, a guy spikes a guy's drink in one scene.
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AGE
Funny, but content not appropriate for kids under 12
For the first time ever, I disagree with the age that this site recommended for this movie. Also, the review written by the site is incomplete in its explanation of what sexual content there is. First, there are multiple scenes in which Johnny has boulders tied to his private parts with string. You can't see the parts, of course--but the string goes up under his robe, and it's obvious. There are a LOT of jokes involving men getting kicked in the groin--in fact, the climactic scene hinges on that joke occurring again. Also, the site's review mentions a brief kiss. Actually, the kiss is very long and involved. There is another scene in which a woman partially undresses (into a skimpy bikini) while trying to seduce Johnny and then gets into the hot tub with him. My daughter is 10 (and, truthfully, pretty sheltered), and I think most of that stuff went over her head. But it was uncomfortable, nonetheless. The movie overall was actually funnier than I expected--there were some great scenes. But the content, in my opinion, was far too mature for an 8-year-old, which is the age recommended by Common Sense. Also, it was more violent than I expected. The review mentioned that the people who die do so under "humorous" circumstances, but that is not the case at all. Bottom line: I thought this movie should be rated PG-13.
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Kid, 11 years old
October 24, 2011
AGE
Johnny English Reborn= Must-See Movie!!
Oh my Gosh I absolutley loved this movie!! I think Johnny English is so funny and that this movie is good for kids 8 and up. I think this because there are bad guys and there is some violence and I think the younger audiences might not get the comedy parts. But I think if you go to see this movie you will love it and if you dont think the movie looks good I think you should definetly give it a try!
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AGE
Some Iffy Stuff - Not Suitable For Kids Under 12.
Recently watched it. Have to say that it is better than the first movie. I was entertained throughout this movie, eventhough there are violent scenes involving assassination of the Mozambique president & 2 members of Vortex. Finally, Johnny English gets a kiss from a lady who is a psychologist move.. whatever.That's why I believe kids over 12 can watch this movie. BTW, if there is third installment of Johnny English, I would appreciate if the third movie is titled Johnny English Returns.
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AGE
Great Bumbling Spy Flick
Some sexual innuendo, violent (but not bloody) content throughout, and the language (which was dispicable in the first) was toned down to the point where you could tell. But funnier than the first and a great bumbling-spy flick.
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AGE
An uncomfortable scene.
My partner went to see the film, said it was really good but at no point expected the scene with the woman in the skimpy bikini. Totally innapropriate in my opinion.
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Kid, 9 years old
November 24, 2011
AGE
johnny english reborn
it is relly good and my mom laffed her hed off it was beter than my mom thught. But a little vlient for a 1-5 year olds
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AGE
good for kids
its good for parents to show there kids these kind of movies so they will learn what is good and bad on their own
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AGE
AMAZING FILM
Johnny English Reborn is so funny i would recommend it to you guys
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Kid, 10 years old
March 17, 2012
AGE
Johnny English Reborn
Johnny English Reborn Is much better than the first and is hillarious. The movie has a few iffy scenes and has crude humor so it will appeal to some audiences. Overall Johnny English Reborn is hillarious
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| Topics: | adventures |
| Studio: | Universal Pictures |
| Director: | Oliver Parker |
| Cast: | Dominic West, Gillian Anderson, Rowan Atkinson |
| Genre: | Comedy |
| Run time: | 101 minutes |
| Theatrical release date: | October 21, 2011 |
| DVD release date: | February 28, 2012 |
| MPAA rating: | PG |
| MPAA explanation: | mild action violence, rude humor, some language and brief sensuality |
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