Mr. Bean's Holiday (G)

Slight, slapstick-heavy comedy will amuse kids.

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About Our Ratings
Common Sense rates it
3
Seen the movie? Review it
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Movie details
  • Studio: Studio Canal, Studio Canal
  • Directed By: Steve Bendelack
  • Cast: Rowan Atkinson, Willem Dafoe, Max Baldry
  • Running Time: 90 minutes
  • Release Date: 08/23/2007
  • Video/DVD Release Date: 11/27/2007
  • Genre: Comedy
  • MPAA Rating: G

Parents need to know

Parents need to know that kids are sure to giggle at Mr. Bean's ridiculous mugging and all of this comic farce's falls, accidents, and treacherous near-misses. Although the movie doesn't have much dialogue (you don't really need it to keep up with Bean's broad humor), what little there is, is mostly in subtitled French (or Russian), which could be tricky for kids who aren't yet proficient readers. And a few moments could be scary (a faux military attack on a quiet village, for instance) if kids aren't good at distinguishing real from imaginary.

Families can talk about the differences between animated violence and cartoonish, live-action violence that features real people in dangerous situations. How do you know when something "violent" is meant to be funny and not scary or real? Why does Mr. Bean get in so much trouble? Does he mean to cause so much damage? How does he feel when he realizes what he's done?

Message

Social Behavior:

Mr. Bean's intentions are always good, but his behavior is quite inappropriate at times (which is the whole joke behind the character): He displays bad manners, is inconsiderate of others, and generally causes trouble wherever he lands. He sometimes "borrows" things that don't belong to him, and he doesn't always give them back. In the end, the film has a nice (if not exactly trumpeted) message about helping people and doing the right thing.

Consumerism:

A Sony video camera plays a prominent role in the movie.

Drugs/Alcohol/Tobacco:

Violence

Cartoonish, exaggerated slaps, falls, and pratfalls throughout. A suicidal man jumps off a bridge, but no physical injuries are shown on screen. A vicious dog with bared teeth appears suddenly (but briefly). A military attack on unsuspecting villagers is quickly revealed to be part of a movie production.

Sex

Mr. Bean has a very innocent crush on Sabine.

Language

Common Sense says

What's the story?

Reviewed by Renee Schonfeld

In MR. BEAN'S HOLIDAY, Rowan Atkinson returns as the accident-prone simpleton who's completely out of his depth in the sophisticated, high-tech world in which he lives. This time out, Londoner Mr. Bean wins a dream vacation to the glorious French Riviera. Along the way, he's inadvertently (but no less directly) responsible for separating Stephan (Max Baldry), a bright and appealing young boy, from his caring father, Emil (Karel Roden). Chaos and mayhem follow as Mr. Bean tries to get the pair back together. In incident after incident, Mr. Bean makes all the wrong choices and all the wrong moves, until good fortune and Sabine (Emma de Caunes), a beautiful French actress, smile on him and lead him and Stephan to their happy endings.

Is it any good?

3
Mr. Bean's Holiday is directed and performed in a way that's very reminiscent of a silent movie. Most of the laughs come from the rubber face, wide eyes, and clueless behavior of the talented Atkinson. It's slapstick in some places, parody and satire in others.

This Mr. Bean film features moments of uproarious humor -- as well as scenes that are repetitive, go on too long, and have a "seen-that-before" aura. Sequences in which Mr. Bean encounters a giant prawn in an elegant restaurant, tries to earn money as a street musician, and lets all of the hot air out of auteur film director Carson Clay (Willem Dafoe) in a Cannes Film Festival screening room are works of comic genius. Other scenes -- say, when Mr. Bean gets stuck in a tiny shack, or leaves something vital behind by mistake (again) -- are less-inspired. Bottom line? Audiences who like their laughs with subtlety and wit will find a lot lacking. But fans of Mr. Bean won't be disappointed. And kids of all ages who idolize Wile E. Coyote will be charmed.

Related Video

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Parents and kids say

All Reviews

There are 32 reviews.

Age 2+
1


Posted on 12/31/08 by savvas Adult contributor

4


Posted on 12/28/08 by Le petit critique Kid contributor, age 14

Very funny...

I really enjoyed this cheery movie, and I laughed during every scene. The story was very cute, and very enjoyable. I think this is a great movie for a family get-together night. No doubt you will laugh your heart outans enjoy the wild rode of mr. Bean's holiday!
Age 5+
5


Posted on 06/04/08 by gospurs57 Adult contributor

Finally! A funny movie for the WHOLE family!

This movie has got to be the best family comedy made in a long time. Everyone in my family was laughing hysterically throughout the movie. Parents should note, however, that this movie pushes the G rating. There were some mildly intense scenes including the suicidal man jumping into the river. No actual violence was shown on-screen, though. On some DVD players, the word "D**n" is shown in a subtitle twice when the Russian boy (Max Baldry) curses in French. In theatres, "darn" appeared on the screen. Besides those issues, I truly feel this was a wholesome comedy for the whole family. I definitely recommend this movie!
Age 8+
2


Posted on 05/21/08 by ninjaofthewind Adult contributor

Good for a G movie.

It was pretty funny for being rated G. There's not really that much more to say about it though...
2


Posted on 05/10/08 by co Kid contributor, age 10

not worth wtching. ihad about 4 or 5 laughs

Age 8+
5

Posted on 05/06/08 by Anonymous Adult contributor

I never felt so wonderful after leaving this movie!

This movie was one of the most clean and entertaining movie I have ever seen. My husband and I enjoyed it greatly! It was a blessing and a breath of fresh air!
Age 11+
5


Posted on 03/28/08 by figueroa Adult contributor

Age 2+
1


Posted on 02/07/08 by angela33 Adult contributor

silly ole mr. bean

Mr. bean is silly.
5


Posted on 02/07/08 by Xela9 Kid contributor, age 9

This is so funny!

This is a funny movie.
4


Posted on 01/25/08 by spiderman fan Kid contributor, age 9

Great family fun

I have never seen the first Mr.bean but this is great. It's very funny and other people who read my review should see it. I think it has alot of things to offer even for people who don't like movies. If you are reading my review think about renting or buying this great family film.

See all 32 reviews >

Adult Reviews

There are 19 reviews.

Age 2+
1


Posted on 12/31/08 by savvas Adult contributor

Age 5+
5


Posted on 06/04/08 by gospurs57 Adult contributor

Finally! A funny movie for the WHOLE family!

This movie has got to be the best family comedy made in a long time. Everyone in my family was laughing hysterically throughout the movie. Parents should note, however, that this movie pushes the G rating. There were some mildly intense scenes including the suicidal man jumping into the river. No actual violence was shown on-screen, though. On some DVD players, the word "D**n" is shown in a subtitle twice when the Russian boy (Max Baldry) curses in French. In theatres, "darn" appeared on the screen. Besides those issues, I truly feel this was a wholesome comedy for the whole family. I definitely recommend this movie!
Age 8+
2


Posted on 05/21/08 by ninjaofthewind Adult contributor

Good for a G movie.

It was pretty funny for being rated G. There's not really that much more to say about it though...
Age 8+
5

Posted on 05/06/08 by Anonymous Adult contributor

I never felt so wonderful after leaving this movie!

This movie was one of the most clean and entertaining movie I have ever seen. My husband and I enjoyed it greatly! It was a blessing and a breath of fresh air!
Age 11+
5


Posted on 03/28/08 by figueroa Adult contributor

Age 2+
1


Posted on 02/07/08 by angela33 Adult contributor

silly ole mr. bean

Mr. bean is silly.
Age 2+
1

Posted on 12/13/07 by Anonymous Adult contributor

Not funny

There are a few laughs here, but you'd be better off renting some of the old Threes Stooges videos. The movie is fairly harmless except for the fact that it's about a weird middle-aged man with a video camera obsession befriending a young boy. Talk about creepy! Now there's something worth talking to your child about.
Age 5+
4

Posted on 12/08/07 by Anonymous Adult contributor

Age 5+
4


Posted on 12/06/07 by tommysportsgirl Adult contributor

This movie is fun. There is nothing objectionable in it at all. And it's really funny!
Age 8+
2


Posted on 09/16/07 by lexies_shoppe Adult contributor

If you have nothing else to do in life...Than watch it.

This movie was a time eater. In the beginging your hoping for some good times and a belly full of laughs....but in the end your more likely to leave feeling confused and bewildered. It wasn't the worse movie ever seen but surely wasn't the best.If you are a Bean fan you will be disapointed. Safe for kids - but most kids coming out of the movies were complaing how it stunk or was "lame" we seen it with a full audiance. The sub-titles are alot and hard to follow for kids. Violance was not exsisting. Had very bad maners. Plot- a child is seperated from his father and Mr. Bean has taken it on himself to care for the boy. However, it was Mr. Bean who made him loose his father. There is some silly antics but mostly awkward moments and pauses. If you have your heart set seeing this I advise you wait till DVD so you won't feel you spent that much on it.
See all 19 adult reviews>

Kids Reviews

There are 13 reviews.

4


Posted on 12/28/08 by Le petit critique Kid contributor, age 14

Very funny...

I really enjoyed this cheery movie, and I laughed during every scene. The story was very cute, and very enjoyable. I think this is a great movie for a family get-together night. No doubt you will laugh your heart outans enjoy the wild rode of mr. Bean's holiday!
2


Posted on 05/10/08 by co Kid contributor, age 10

not worth wtching. ihad about 4 or 5 laughs

5


Posted on 02/07/08 by Xela9 Kid contributor, age 9

This is so funny!

This is a funny movie.
4


Posted on 01/25/08 by spiderman fan Kid contributor, age 9

Great family fun

I have never seen the first Mr.bean but this is great. It's very funny and other people who read my review should see it. I think it has alot of things to offer even for people who don't like movies. If you are reading my review think about renting or buying this great family film.
2


Posted on 12/12/07 by tjmorris Kid contributor, age 14

This was a stupid movie

Although I have loved the Mr. Bean Television shows, I thought this movie went lower than expectations. There was a lot of slapstick and funny faces that will appeal to a younger audience, but for the most part, the comedy is ok. Overall, ok film. 2.5 stars
5


Posted on 10/27/07 by bart_simpson Kid contributor, age 8

Mr Bean's (Funny) Holiday

Mr Bean's Holiday is such a funny film! At one point, he gets his tie stuck in a vending machine, later on he dances like a total wally! With songs including: Love Machine and Mr. Bombastic. There are some jokes where you will spill your popcorn and some bits where subtiltes come on because people are speaking in different langauges. I laughed so hard the first time I saw Mr. Beans Holiday, (I nearlly fell into the row in front of me!) In other words...GO GET THIS RIGHT NOW ON DVD!!!! (Here in the UK Mr. Beans Holiday came out in March 2007! You USA people had to wait a long time! It is on DVD here in the UK!)
1


Posted on 09/26/07 by kissthegirl-xo Kid contributor, age 12

Far from the Mr.Bean I remember..

When I was around 4 years old, I thought Mr.Bean was the funniest man alive. The previous movies at least had a trace of witty humour. This pathetic attempt to make people laugh though, is far from any type of humour. It has silly little actions, meant to make you laugh, and pointless scenes, characters and lines. If you used to watch Mr.Bean, it is a dissapointment. Although, if you're in the mood to find something to critisize, watch this movie.
5


Posted on 09/25/07 by luverofhorses Kid contributor, age 13

Great Movie!

Great movie for the family! I've seen all of Mr. Beans episodes and have most of them. I was so excited when this came out. It was really funny!
0


Posted on 09/14/07 by kissrose Kid contributor, age 12

8 year olds not to watch

this is the worst movie ever it is stupid and he does not speak and its boring
5


Posted on 08/31/07 by smartoonkid Kid contributor, age 11

Too Hillarious!

Funny, Funny, Funny! That's one stupid guy. He acts like a 5 year old. The laughs start early and last the whole movie. It's perfect for all ages!
See all 13 kids reviews >
Review It
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Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer
26%
The Grinch
34%
Frosty the Snowman
11%
Charlie Brown
18%
Shrek
10%
208 votes