Common Sense Media Review
By Tara McNamara
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Spy comedy misses the mark; loads of action violence.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 9+?
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Where to Watch
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Johnny English Strikes Again
Parent and Kid Reviews
Based on 7 parent reviews
Based on 26 kid reviews
Kids say that the movie is generally funny and enjoyable, though it features some slapstick violence and mild nudity that may not be suitable for very young viewers. Most recommend it for ages 10 and up, citing humor and action, while also noting a few adult jokes that might warrant parental discretion.
- funny
- mild violence
- nudity
- age recommendation
- family film
Summarized with AI
Summarized with AI
What's the Story?
In JOHNNY ENGLISH STRIKES AGAIN, after hackers expose the identities of every spy in the U.K., the British Prime Minister (Emma Thompson) calls accidental agent Johnny English (Rowan Atkinson) out of retirement. Along with his sidekick, Bough (Ben Miller), Johnny uses every gadget and trick up his sleeve to try to catch the hackers. But will the gadgets of the past be able to conquer the tech of the future?
Is It Any Good?
Atkinson's rubber face and slapstick comedy usually hit young audiences squarely in the funny bone, but this spy spoof is more like a kick to the shin. Johnny English Strikes Again relies on what's becoming an all-too-familiar cliché: middle-age characters who can't adapt to the latest advances in technology, leading to an old-school vs. innovation showdown. But kids may not be able to grasp some of the plot points because they aren't familiar enough with either retro issues (like the severity of nukes being launched) or nuances of newer technologies (like computer server locations).
"Bumbling" humor is often a favorite of young audiences because they feel superior to the character, and that works when Johnny is misfiring with devices they know, like iPhones and virtual reality goggles. But he unwittingly creates chaos wherever he goes, and some of the "so wrong" comedy is too wrong, and it ends up feeling distasteful -- like when Johnny unknowingly shoves an 82-year-old woman in a wheelchair into oncoming traffic. Atkinson's hallmark facial and body contortions when he eats something spicy or dances ridiculously no longer feel fresh in today's comedy market, and Johnny English as a whole comes off as dated and humorless as a nuclear missile.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about how comedy can affect the impact of media violence. How do you think Johnny English's violence would have affected you if it wasn't portrayed with humor?
Do you think any of the movie's spy gadgets and technologies could work in real life? Are there any older tools/technologies that you think work just fine, if not better than what we have now?
How do Johnny English and Bough demonstrate teamwork? Does teamwork have to be an equal relationship to succeed?
What kind of character is Johnny English? Is he a hero? Is he an underdog?
Movie Details
- In theaters : October 26, 2018
- On DVD or streaming : January 22, 2019
- Cast : Rowan Atkinson , Emma Thompson , Ben Miller
- Director : David Kerr
- Studio : Universal Pictures
- Genre : Comedy
- Run time : 88 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- MPAA explanation : some action violence, rude humor, language and brief nudity
- Last updated : October 9, 2025
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