Johnny English

Now why a) would he be pressed into active duty, and b) who would want all the other agents dead? A evil fellow named Pascal Sauvage (John Malkovich), a French billionaire, who believes his family was robbed time ago of the crown, and who has decided the time has come to regain his rightful place and title.

Oh, by the way: Sauvage is rich, rich, rich. As such he can pose as a benefactor of sorts to the royal jewels. Not that he will actually do this. His intent is to steal them away and then force the Archbishop of Canterbury to crown him king of England.

And how does he do this? I won't tell you. But I will say this: It is one of the funniest moments in the movie, and Johnny English is not immediately apparent, but you can readily suspect he had a hand in the matter.

Speaking of English--Johnny English--he is the centerpiece of this spoof--but, of course. Because he is it goes to make sense that most of this movie is a series of scenes whose purpose is to demonstrate just how incompetent and clumsy he is. A danger, yes. But rarely to himself.

Consider as example chase scenes throughout the movie: So inept is English that he cannot be allowed to drive. No matter. He still finds ways to wreak havoc and cause trouble.

Now all of this may not sound funny, but be assured it is, for Johnny English is the face and person of the Great Unwashed Masses, who has long believed he can be a hero to all who might need saving. Of course, this is a fantasy, and you and I know that if we were pressed to service we could do far better than Johnny English.

No doubt with boring and dull results.

I will admit, in conclusion, that humor and comedy are highly subjective, and that you may not initially find "Johnny English" at all funny. But do yourself a favor: Set aside your prejudices just for a moment and allow the antics of this practicing anarchist to overtake.

You will thank me later. Once your sides and face stop hurting.

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