Johnny English Reborn Blu-ray Review

The Blu-ray release of "Johnny English Reborn" showcases a solid 1080p VC-1 encoded transfer, framed in a 2.40:1 widescreen aspect ratio, and delivers a generally clean and crisp visual experience. The image is free from dirt, dust, and print damage, maintaining sharpness without venturing into overly clinical territory. While the film's contrast is consistent with deep blacks, there are moments where shadow detail suffers slightly, leading to occasional crushed blacks. The color palette is suitably diverse, reflecting the film's spoof of various spy genres. Primary and secondary colors are well-balanced, providing lifelike skin tones and realistic hues. However, some sequences experience a lack of depth and can appear slightly flat.

The transfer's resolution and clarity are commendable, although there is some inconsistency in definition, affecting both wide-angle shots and close-ups. This seems inherent to the original photography rather than an encoding issue. Fine details are generally well-rendered with appreciable texture and edge delineation, though a slight softness and smearing can be occasionally noticed. Despite these minor drawbacks, the overall image remains well-resolved and cinematic. There are no significant artifacts, banding, aliasing, or crush that detract from the viewing experience.

In conclusion, "Johnny English Reborn" on Blu-ray presents a visually engaging, albeit imperfect, viewing experience. The modern look of the film is complemented by clean colors and a pleasant level of detail, making it a good representation of a recent theatrical release. While it may not feature the '3D pop' found in higher-end transfers, it does offer a satisfactory visual presentation that aligns with the comedic and action-packed nature of the movie.

The audio presentation of "Johnny English Reborn" on Blu-ray is delivered through an engaging DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 mix. The initial Tibetan monastery scenes immediately highlight a notable spaciousness, effectively utilizing surround channels to convey atmospheric elements and discrete effects like explosions and directional impacts. Dialogue clarity remains consistently pristine, ensuring intelligibility throughout, although it doesn't necessarily elevate the script. The subwoofer provides a substantial low-frequency foundation that adds depth and solidity to the action sequences. Ilan Eshkeri's Bond-esque score occasionally springs to life, making full use of the main stereo pair and enhancing the overall listening experience.

The audio mix presents a balanced front-to-rear soundstage, with good channel separation, ensuring a stable and immersive listening environment. While this light-hearted spy spoof doesn't demand an aggressive surround mix, it delivers appreciable dimension and an enveloping sound field during more active scenes. The dynamics range is robust, particularly during car chases or explosive moments, supporting both high-energy sequences and the subtler nuances of the soundtrack. The panning sequences are smooth and tightly correlated, thus contributing to a cohesive auditory experience that complements the film's comedic tone.

Despite not reaching the sonic heights of more intensive action films, "Johnny English Reborn" provides a strong DTS-HD Master Audio track that fans of the genre will appreciate. The rear speaker activity, though more subdued outside of louder action scenes, comes into play effectively during critical moments, highlighting discrete effects and enhancing the immersive quality of the soundscape. The exaggerated musical score expands the soundfield well, while the overall front-heavy presentation boasts well-balanced channel separation and acoustic detail that is sharp and crisp. Low frequencies are adequately punchy when required, underpinning both the score and sound effects with sufficient depth. This lossless mix, while not overwhelming, certainly gets the job done with competence and adds a layer of humor to an otherwise light-hearted film.

The Blu-ray extras of "Johnny English Reborn" provide a comprehensive and entertaining peek into the film's production. The feature commentary with director Oliver Parker and screenwriter Hamish McColl stands out for its dry humor and insightful anecdotes, contributing to an enjoyable listening experience that may even surpass the film itself. The assortment of 17 deleted and extended scenes, introduced by Parker, offers fans a deeper dive into the storyline with notable moments like the Mandarin translation and the Semtex gum scene being particularly amusing. Complementing these are informative behind-the-scenes featurettes, such as "The English Files" which provides a thorough production overview, and specific segments focusing on key elements like the gadgets and location shoots in Hong Kong. The gag reel adds a light-hearted touch, capturing fun on-set moments.

Extras included in this disc:

• Audio Commentary: Director and screenwriter provide a humorous, detailed overview.
• Deleted/Extended Scenes: Seventeen scenes with director introductions.
• Gag Reel: On-set bloopers and laughter.
• The English Files: Extensive behind-the-scenes documentary.
• Working with Rowan: Cast expressing admiration for Rowan Atkinson.
• Gadgets: Showcase of the film's unique gadgets.
• English in Hong Kong: Insights into location shooting.
• The Wheelchair Chase: Detailed look at the chase scene's design and stunts.

The Blu-ray release of "Johnny English Reborn" delivers solid technical aspects and a promising premise, but the film itself falls short of expectations. Visually, the 1080p VC-1 encoded transfer shines with a spotlessly clean image, framed in the widescreen 2.40:1 aspect ratio. The realistic British skin tones and pastel palette are complemented by strong contrast, making for an appealing visual presentation. The DTS-HD MA 5.1 soundtrack ensures crisp dialogue and effectively uses surrounds for both atmospheric and discrete effects, with the subwoofer adding noticeable depth. The included featurettes on the making of the film, gadgets, locations, and a wheelchair chase scene provide some insightful behind-the-scenes content. Director Oliver Parker’s commentary alongside writer Hamish McColl rounds out a respectable package of extras.

The narrative brings back Rowan Atkinson as the bumbling British spy Johnny English, who is called out of his retreat in a Tibetan monastery to tackle a terrorist organization called ‘Vortex.’ The film promises a fresh take on the spy spoof genre but ends up recycling old jokes and routines. Atkinson’s physical comedy remains his strong suit, yet it lacks the innovation needed to invigorate his portrayal. Despite a stellar supporting cast including Gillian Anderson, Daniel Kaluuya, and Rosamund Pike, the script and direction fall flat. The humor is more sporadic than consistent, with only a handful of scenes delivering genuine laughs. The movie challenges modern action conventions in its commentary but ultimately feels stale and predictable.

Overall, "Johnny English Reborn" features adept technical execution on Blu-ray but fails to reignite the comedic magic of its predecessor. While there are moments of cleverness and wit, they are overshadowed by an overreliance on formulaic gags and lackluster pacing. Fans of Atkinson might find some amusement, but the film does not significantly enhance or evolve the legacy of the Johnny English character.

"Johnny English Reborn" returns with Rowan Atkinson as the bumbling secret agent, promising a blend of slapstick humor and satire. The film's strength lies in its faithful comedic style, which appeals significantly to fans of British humor. However, the narrative struggles with predictability and overly simplistic gags that fail to sustain interest throughout its runtime. Nonetheless, the Blu-ray release is commendable, boasting outstanding picture quality—crisp, vibrant, and true to the film's quirky aesthetic. The DTS-HD Master Audio track further enhances the viewing experience, delivering clear and dynamic sound that ensures even the most subtle comedic moments resonate.

Despite its narrative flaws, the Blu-ray edition's technical merits cannot be overlooked. The transfer is immaculate, with colors popping and fine details preserved brilliantly. The audio mix provides an immersive experience that complements the film's action sequences and comedic timing. Additionally, a modest yet entertaining selection of supplemental features offers fans a deeper dive into the making of “Johnny English Reborn,” showcasing behind-the-scenes footage and cast interviews that provide some redeeming insights into the filmmaking process.

In conclusion, while "Johnny English Reborn" may not hit all the right notes with its humor, its Blu-ray release stands out for its exemplary video and audio presentation. For those who appreciate Rowan Atkinson’s unique brand of comedy, this film is worth a watch. For others, it might serve better as a rental. Despite its shortcomings, the technical quality and additional content make this Blu-ray a worthy addition to any comedy collection.