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Plot Summary
With their headquarters destroyed and the world held hostage, members of Kingsman find new allies when they discover a spy organization in the United States known as Statesman. In an adventure that tests their strength and wits, the elite secret agents from both sides of the pond band together to battle a ruthless enemy and save the day, something that's becoming a bit of a habit for Eggsy. (1)
Review
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Rated R for sequences of strong Violence/Gore, strong Profanity, references of Sex & Nudity, Alcohol/Drugs/Smoking, and Frightening/Intense Scenes
Hello, Movie Buffs!
Once again director Matthew Vaughn has adapted a comic-book to film, with Kick-Ass (2010) and X-Men: First Class (2011) being his most recent films to date. Comic book and superhero films have a tendency to take themselves too seriously but Vaughn is able to combine serious drama and attentive character development with cartoonish humor and witty action. As a result, Kingsmen: The Secret Service (2014) is a unique, ultra violent, humorous, foul-mouthed piece of entertainment that is licensed to thrill audiences. Like an R-Rated version of a James Bond film, even Colin Firth’s (Mamma Mia) character mocks the idea by saying “Give me a far0fetched, theoretical plot any day…” It’s not so much a parody, like Austin Powers but rather pays homage to the famous franchise, like a James Bond meets Kick-Ass type film – where one film doesn’t dare to go the other ventures its untraveled roads joyfully.
Spy films almost always get compared to James Bond films and The Kingsman is no exception. The film embraces its British heritage, cleverly acknowledges all of the stupid spy clichés, and ditches them unexpectedly. One example is the first opening scene, an individual is drinking a glass of whiskey and at the same time is killing a bunch of people without spilling a single drop of said whiskey, only for it to all change unexpectedly and from there Kingsmen becomes its own spy film that reinvents the typical spy film clichés. The villain, Valentine (Samuel L. Jackson), is a megalomaniac whose main goal is world domination, again another spy film cliché. But what makes this villain different from all the rest is that he is not overly scary or intimidating because of his lisp and hemophobia (fear of blood). This is one aspect that Kingsmen does really good, they start out with the standard clichés and then transform them into something unique. And amongst all the madness there is a certain heart to the film that brings to mind the phrase, “There is a method to their madness.”
Overall, Kingsman: The Secret Service (2014) is an action packed, unique, and humorous spy film that has a license to thrill just about any movie-goer. Despite all the madness the story has heart and does not follow the standard clichés that surround spy films. The cast was great not only does the film introduce newcomers Taron Egerton (plays Eggsy), Sophie Cookson (plays Roxy), and Sofia Boutella (plays Gazelle) but it also adds Oscar winners Colin Firth (plays Harry Hart), Mark Hamill (plays Professor Arnold), Samuel L. Jackson, and Michael Caine (plays Arthur). If you’re a fan of James Bond films and Kick-Ass then you will most likely enjoy this film as well. Although keep in mind that this film is not for the easily offended. Yes, it’s a comedy but it’s a very violent comedy and the strong language will astonish even the MPAA. But if you like Kick-Ass or enjoy humorous spy-thrillers then you will like this film.
“’Manners maketh man.’ Do you know what that means? Then let me teach you a lesson.”
- Harry Hart
Final Vote
Worth Seeing: 3 of 5 star
Worth Buying: 3 of 5 stars
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Cast & Crew
Directed by Matthew Vaughn
Writing Credits: Jane Goldman, Matthew Vaughn, Mark Millar, and Dave Gibbons.
Produced by
Adam Bohling ... producer
Dave Gibbons ... executive producer
Jane Goldman ... co-producer
Pierre Lagrange ... executive producer
Stephen Marks ... executive producer
Mark Millar ... executive producer
David Reid ... producer
Claudia Schiffer ... executive producer
Matthew Vaughn ... producer
Music by Henry Jackman and Matthew Margeson
Cinematography by George Richmond
Film Editing by Eddie Hamilton and Jon Harris
Casting By Reg Poerscout-Edgerton
Production Design by Paul Kirby
Art Direction by Andrew Ackland-Snow, Steve Carter, Joe Howard, Paul Spriggs, Andy Thomson, Tom Whitehead, and Keith Pain.
Set Decoration by David Morison and Jennifer Williams
Costume Design by Arianne Phillips
Cast:
Adrian Quinton ... Terrorist
Colin Firth ... Harry Hart / Galahad
Mark Strong ... Merlin
Jonno Davies ... Lee
Jack Davenport ... Lancelot
Alex Nikolov ... Little Eggsy
Samantha Womack ... Michelle Unwin
Mark Hamill ... Professor Arnold
Velibor Topic ... Big Goon
Sofia Boutella ... Gazelle
Samuel L. Jackson ... Valentine
Michael Caine ... Arthur
Taron Egerton ... Gary 'Eggsy' Unwin
Geoff Bell ... Dean
Jordan Long ... Poodle
Theo Barklem-Biggs ... Ryan
Tobi Bakare ... Jamal
Morgan Watkins ... Rottweiler
Paul Kennington ... Barman
Ralph Ineson ... Policeman
Edward Holcroft ... Charlie
Sophie Cookson ... Roxy
Nicholas Banks ... Digby
Jack Cutmore-Scott ... Rufus
Nicholas Agnew ... Nathaniel
Rowan Polonski ... Piers
Tom Prior ... Hugo
Fiona Hampton ... Amelia
Hanna Alström ... Princess Tilde
Lily Travers ... Lady Sophie
Andrew Bridgmont ... Kingsman Tailor
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