JOHNNY English Repackaged might be a more fitting title for Oliver Parker's belated sequel to the 2003 comedy.
Aside from the casting of rising star Daniel Kaluuya as Johnny's sidekick and a prominent role for a voice-controlled Rolls-Royce Phantom Coupé V16, Johnny English Reborn could have been shot directly after the original film.
Following a disastrous mission in Mozambique, Johnny (Atkinson) turns his back on MI7 and heads to a Tibetan retreat, but section chief Pamela Thornton (Gillian Anderson) woos him back to help thwart an assassination attempt on the Chinese premier.
Johnny English is an old-fashioned, gently effervescent spy caper that amuses but rarely delights.
Atkinson's talent for physical humour delivers a couple of belly laughs, but the script lacks invention and dialogue feels flat. After this second assignment, Johnny's licence to thrill has been revoked.
