Customer Reviews

Mr. Bean - Unseen Bean [VHS]

5 star:		(1)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(5)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This tape has its moments. I liked seeing Christopher Ryan (of The Young Ones and AbFab fame) fear for his very virtue in the bathroom stall, for example. But really, there are two fundamental problems with the final two episodes of Mr. Bean. The first is forgivable - the Bean concept is stale, and thus not very funny. This was inevitable, no doubt, so I won't blame Rowan Atkinson or Robin Driscoll on that. In fact, they should be credited for stopping after this point - many (typically American) shows continue on long after the series has worn out.

The second problem is a big one - they've changed Mr. Bean's character a bit, at least to my mind. I always thought that Mr Bean represents primarily childlike innocence and impishness. Based on the opening credits, the literal interpretation I gave it was that Bean was either (a) the only man who was "born yesterday"; or (b) an alien trying to figure out our world and culture. Mind you, none of this bears much scrutiny, but these theories sort of explain the way he operates... simply, selfishly, innocently, naively... again, like a grown up child. Here, in these last episodes, Mr. Bean takes a turn for the worse. Instead of an innocent, he is spiteful; he is deliberately mean - doing things in order to tick people off rather than ticking them off simply by doing what comes naturally.

Rowan Atkinson is a brilliant comedian, with the rare gifts of both physical and verbal wit (witness Blackadder or Not The Nine O'Clock News for verbal humor). This video is worth having - especially at the price offered. - for that if nothing else.

On the sixth »Mr Bean« tape, our 'hero' visits the open doors' day of an evening school, and he puts every single subject in embarrassment! He annoys people, yet he's pretty creative too... but, er, who laughs last laughs best, as you know... A quite OK »Mr Bean« sketch.

In the other sketch, Bean gets tired of waiting for the hairdresser to get ready, so he puts on the uniform himself. Not exactly to the benefit of the costumers. Another OK sketch, but decreasing in quality.

This is not the best »Mr Bean« tape but it's not the worst one either.

This tape has its moments. I liked seeing Christopher Ryan (of The Young Ones and AbFab fame) fear for his very virtue in the bathroom stall, for example. But really, there are two fundamental problems with the final two episodes of Mr. Bean. The first is forgivable - the Bean concept is stale, and thus not very funny. This was inevitable, no doubt, so I won't blame Rowan Atkinson or Robin Driscoll on that. In fact, they should be credited for stopping after this point - many...shows continue on long after the series has worn out.

The second problem is a big one - they've changed Mr. Bean's character a bit, at least to my mind. I always thought that Mr Bean represents primarily childlike innocence and impishness. Based on the opening credits, the literal interpretation I gave it was that Bean was either (a) the only man who was "born yesterday"; or (b) an alien trying to figure out our world and culture. Mind you, none of this bears much scrutiny, but these theories sort of explain the way he operates... simply, selfishly, innocently, naively... again, like a grown up child. Here, in these last episodes, Mr. Bean takes a turn for the worse. Instead of an innocent, he is spiteful; he is deliberately mean - doing things in order to tick people off rather than ticking them off simply by doing what comes naturally.

Rowan Atkinson is a brilliant comedian, with the rare gifts of both physical and verbal wit (witness Blackadder or Not The Nine O'Clock News for verbal humor). This video is worth having - especially at the price offered by Amazon - for that if nothing else.

Great for Mr Bean lovers, not exactly his best work but still funny. Mr Bean ends this video with no car. 4 Stars.

Mr. Bean (played by Rowan Atkinson) is an outrageously funny man; he cluelessly maneuvers through the world, spreading chaos everywhere he goes. This tape includes two episodes, each roughly 25 minutes each. They are relatively clean, the sole exception being when a topless woman is shown from behind. Overall, though, there is no reason why this show can't be seen with the whole family (I simply fast-forwarded through that part of the scene).

The first episode is Back to School, Mr. Bean (originally aired in 1994), in which Bean goes to an open house at an adult education center. There, he single-handedly takes on the British Army, raises mayhem in a chemistry class, hilariously corrects an art class, overcomes a Judo teacher, and finally is forced to find his errant trousers! This episode is a complete gem, and left my entire family in stitches!

The second episode is Hair by Mr. Bean of London (made for video, and appears to have been the last one made before the movie). Here, Bean turns a trip to the hairstylist into a chance to make money (with unfortunate results for the other patrons), wins a best pet prize at a village Fete with his teddy bear, and attempts to take a train ride without a ticket. Another very, very funny episode.

My family and I loved this tape, and highly recommend it to you!

This show seemed to be a little slow paced. It took quite some time before you burst out lauging, but I would still reccomend seeing this.

On the sixth »Mr Bean« tape, our 'hero' visits the open doors' day of an evening school, and he puts every single subject in embarrassment! He annoys people, yet he's pretty creative too... but, er, who laughs last laughs best, as you know... A quite OK »Mr Bean« sketch.

In the other sketch, Bean gets tired of waiting for the hairdresser to get ready, so he puts on the uniform himself. Not exactly to the benefit of the costumers. Another OK sketch, but decreasing in quality.

This is not the best »Mr Bean« tape but it's not the worst one either.