Why Mr Bean Doesn't Translate Well To The Big Screen
I find, most of the set-ups/settings for the Mr Bean TV Series' hilarious scenes, were in small scale settings, with few people about, no big crowds. The rooms or areas were often very small or closed off and he was often alone with a person or very small groups of people. The locations were often very quiet and still, enabling more focus and attention on Bean's unusual antics. There are a few exceptions, like the Christmas one with the Carolers and the Mini Golf one, but even then it wasn't that many people.
Infact the show was set in like a Mr Bean universe, a parallel setting to our universe. I think it's hard taking him out of that controlled, staged setting, because it may not work aswell, without the acute attention the TV Show places on Bean and his scenes. The bigger visual scale may distract or dilute the effectiveness of Bean antics and may not even allow the audience to observe Mr Bean more closely in his antics. In the TV Series, you would often have scenes, like when he was taking the exam for instance, where Mr Bean like goes through a process of thought or through a journey of problem solving. Up close we can notice all these nuances, his facial expression, what he is thinking, his body language and subtle gestures and movements. As part of this universe, you normally have these very plain characters who are often the receiptients or are observers of his antics, who are perfectly foiled to enhance the situation and facilitate the humour. They react often with perfect restraint and subtly within this very quiet, closed off setting.
All those subtleties seem to be lost on the big screen or conversely Atkinson may not be able refine them on the big screen.
"If anyone wants me I'll be in my room" - Lisa Simpson