Johnny English Strikes Again Blu-ray Review

Universal's Blu-ray release of "Johnny English Strikes Again" boasts a high-quality video presentation that does justice to this digital comedy. Captured with Red Epic Dragon cameras, the film's 2.39:1 1080p transfer provides a clear, sharp image throughout. The detail is exemplary, offering viewers everything from the fine lines on Rowan Atkinson’s face to the precise stitching in high-dollar suits. Colors are vibrant and deeply saturated, with standout hues like the intense red of English’s Aston Martin. The presentation maintains a neutral balance, yet primary colors such as greens of English grasses are particularly striking.

Contrast and black levels are managed well, providing deep, inky blacks and bright, clean whites without blooming. However, a few scenes present minor issues like raised blacks pushing purple and mild banding at specific timestamps. CGI integration isn’t seamless but these minor imperfections do not detract significantly from the overall visual experience. The digital effects occasionally show signs of cut-and-paste quality, particularly concerning computer and phone screens.

Overall, "Johnny English Strikes Again" is a stellar presentation in 1080p, devoid of meaningful video artifacts and with a perfectly matched color grading for its source material. Fine details in costumes, facial features, and luxurious locations are rendered with excellent clarity and depth. This Blu-ray delivers eye-pleasing visuals that impress with both their technical proficiency and aesthetic appeal, ensuring that fans of the series can enjoy every sight gag and comedic set piece in crisp detail.

Universal has delivered a remarkably immersive DTS:X Master Audio soundtrack for "Johnny English Strikes Again." The audio mix is both powerful and nuanced, exceeding expectations for a comedy of this nature. The vocals are consistently clear and precise, and the front sound stage remains actively engaged with Johnny’s various escapades. The soundtrack excels in its use of the LFE channel, offering deep, guttural bass that supports both the film’s gadgets and the James Bond-inspired musical elements. The missile explosion near the end is particularly notable for its prominence and depth, but mid and low bass elements are employed effectively throughout, enhancing various action sequences.

This DTS:X track is on par with the video in terms of quality, providing an articulated and dynamically gratifying audio experience. The mix includes an excellent tonal balance and high-level detail that allows for seamless pans across the soundstage. Music in the film is joyfully wide and filling, with equal emphasis on fronts, surrounds, and overhead speakers. High-yield action details are meticulously integrated into the soundstage, drawing full advantage of every speaker available. Atmospherics are elegantly handled, as seen in the posh restaurant scene where subtle environmental sounds are perfectly balanced alongside more intense music and effects.

Ambient sounds and object placement are utilized to their full potential, providing excellent surround sound experiences. Helicopter blades thud from above, street noise fills the heights, and off-screen sound effects are aptly positioned to enhance immersion. Dialogue delivery is always clear and center-focused, ensuring it never gets lost amidst the action. The overall mix employs strong LFE activity to keep the bass rumbling throughout and provides well-balanced atmospherics that accentuate specific locations realistically. All in all, Universal’s DTS:X track for "Johnny English Strikes Again" offers an encapsulating audio experience that superbly complements the film’s humor and action.

The Blu-ray extras for "Johnny English Strikes Again" offer a comprehensive array of featurettes and an insightful audio commentary, making for a well-rounded supplementary experience. Director David Kerr's commentary provides a thorough breakdown of the film's production, timing of comedy, and technical aspects. "The Comedy Genius of Rowan Atkinson" highlights the nuanced performance and career of Atkinson, while "A Cast of Characters" delves into the collaborative dynamics among the cast. "The Johnny English Legacy" reflects on the character's journey through the series, and "Virtual Reality Johnny English Style" details the creation of the film’s standout comedic sequence. Additionally, featurettes on gadgets, cars, and locations provide a fuller understanding of the film’s technical and creative elements.

Extras included in this disc:

• Audio Commentary with Director David Kerr: Detailed analysis of the film's production and elements.
• The Comedy Genius of Rowan Atkinson: Insights into Atkinson's comedic skill.
• A Cast of Characters: Profiles of key cast members.
• The Johnny English Legacy: Retrospective on the series.
• Virtual Reality Johnny English Style: Behind-the-scenes look at a key sequence.
• The Gadgets: Exploration of on-screen gadgets.
• The Cars: Examination of automotive stunts and vehicles.
• Locations and Design: Discusses shooting locations and design elements.

"Johnny English Strikes Again," the third installment in the Johnny English franchise featuring Rowan Atkinson's bumbling spy, provides a delightful return to slapstick comedy. While the movie operates within the familiar framework of its predecessors—replete with recycled gags and classical Atkinson antics—there's a fresher, more digital spin to the narrative. Johnny English, who retired to teach at a British boarding school, is yanked back into action after a cyberattack exposes all active agents. The plot sees English navigate a transformed MI7 world filled with modern tech, hybrid cars, and meticulous safety protocols—a stark contrast to his outdated skills. The humor primarily stems from English’s resistance to adjust, creating highly laugh-worthy moments such as his misadventures while wielding VR goggles and inadvertently causing chaos in the real world.

Rowan Atkinson shines in his role, bringing physical comedy to life with an impeccable sense of timing. His portrayal of English holds the film together, making even the most predictable antics endearing and funny. Despite some repetitive jokes and conventional spy spoof elements, Atkinson's charisma ensures that the movie entertains through its entire runtime. Supporting roles like Olga Kurylenko as Ophelia add a bit of glamour and fun without deviating from the main comedic focus. Ben Miller's return as Bough also brings familiarity and additional humor that fans of the series will appreciate. The film does not dwell much on satire but rather indulges in straightforward comedy—a decision that stays true to the core of Johnny English’s character.

Critically, "Johnny English Strikes Again" may have received mixed reviews, but it performs well as an uncomplicated comedy. While not groundbreaking, it satisfies its target audience with consistent laughter and charming slapstick humor. From botched espionage operations to the analog spy's battle against a digital foe, the movie ensures light-hearted entertainment for both long-time fans and casual viewers alike.

"Johnny English Strikes Again" offers a fun, comedic romp, starring the ever-hilarious Rowan Atkinson in the titular role. The film thrives on Atkinson's expert portrayal of the bumbling secret agent, providing consistent laughs with his blend of slapstick and subtle British wit. Although the storyline remains straightforward, it effectively facilitates Atkinson's antics, ensuring that his comedic talent remains the film's centerpiece. Despite its predictability, fans of Atkinson’s distinctive style will find much to enjoy, reminiscent of his classic performances.

The Blu-ray release by Universal Studios deserves commendation for its impeccable technical execution. The 2.39:1 AVC aspect ratio showcases the film's visuals with clarity and precision. Accompanying the crisp visuals, the DTS:X (DTS-HD MA 7.1 Core) audio track delivers an immersive listening experience, enhancing the comedic elements with clarity and depth. The inclusion of French and Spanish DTS 5.1 audio options, along with English SDH, French, and Spanish subtitles, makes this release accessible to a broader audience. The package is further enriched by well-curated bonus features, providing added value and deeper insight into the film’s production.

As I said above, I actually like the Johnny English films. They’re a cheeky British take on lampooning the James Bond films, and Rowan Atkinson is the king of rubber-faced comedy (at least since Don Knotts and Jim Carrey have faded from the limelight) to do so. "Strikes Again" is another romp for the accidental spy, and it’s a fun one at that. It doesn’t get too much into the slapstick but uses just enough slapstick combined with wry British sight gags (a la Fawlty Towers) to garner a chuckle, and there are more than enough chuckles to go around. This is not what I would call an intelligent comedy, but a fun lampoon that’s more than entertaining if you’re a Rowan Atkinson fan. The audio and video are spectacular, and the disc contains a shocking number of special features for a new release (it seems that more and more new releases are going minimalist with the number of extras), making it a recommended film by yours truly.