Bean: The Ultimate Disaster Movie

Details

Mr. Bean has somehow secured a position as a security guard at London's Royal National Gallery - largely because no one quite knows how to sack him. In a cunning act of self-preservation, the Gallery's board arranges for Bean to be sent to Los Angeles as their "representative" for the unveiling of Whistler's Mother. The Americans, naturally, believe they are receiving a respected art scholar. Instead, they get Bean.

Installed with the well-meaning Langley family, Bean immediately begins dismantling their peaceful Californian existence one disaster at a time. From catastrophic dinner table etiquette to deeply unsettling driving habits, he leaves chaos in his wake - all delivered with that trademark blank expression and elastic physicality.

The centrepiece of the film is, of course, the now infamous destruction of Whistler's Mother. What begins as a minor mishap quickly escalates into full-blown art vandalism, followed by one of the most painfully funny attempts at restoration ever committed to screen - involving a biro, some creative repainting and a level of confidence that defies logic. It's slapstick at its finest.

Other highlights include the security guard scene (involving laxatives, a locked toilet and an alarming quantity of keys), and the Thanksgiving turkey debacle - complete with improvised appetisers of raw onion on cocktail sticks. It's classic Bean: absurd, awkward and somehow both childish and brilliantly timed.

I was half expecting the character to be heavily Americanised for the transatlantic audience, but thankfully that never really happens. Bean speaks slightly more than in the television series, but only sparingly and usually in a mumble. The humour remains rooted in visual comedy rather than dialogue, which is exactly where Rowan Atkinson excels.

Picture & Sound

The 1.33:1 transfer is respectable, if not spectacular. Considering the relatively modest bit-rate, the picture holds up well with no obvious artefacting or outlining. The bright Californian exteriors look vibrant and colourful, though darker interiors occasionally lack depth.

The Dolby Digital 5.1 track is serviceable rather than showy. This is a dialogue-and-effects light comedy, so don't expect room-rattling bass or aggressive surround usage. Dialogue is clear and front-focused, with subtle ambient effects where required.

One small annoyance: the disc packaging suggests a 16x9 version on the reverse side, yet on my copy it appears to be absent. Whether this is a manufacturing quirk or a widespread issue is unclear - but worth checking before purchase.

Overall

As with many Region 2 back catalogue releases, the extras are minimal. A few cast and filmmaker notes and some trailers hardly set the pulse racing. But let's be honest - this disc is about the film, not the supplements.

Bean: The Ultimate Disaster Movie succeeds because it never overcomplicates the formula. It takes a beloved television character and simply drops him into a larger playground. If you enjoy slapstick, escalating embarrassment and the unique physical brilliance of Rowan Atkinson, this will have you laughing out loud more than once.

It may not be high art - unlike Whistler's Mother before Bean got hold of it - but it is consistently funny and endlessly rewatchable. Just maybe keep it away from any priceless paintings.

Special features

• Cast and Filmmakers
• Coming Attractions Trailers