kingsman: the secret service
2015 review number 18:
Kingsman: The Secret Service: (Action/Comedy): 82 out of 100: If you like irreverent spy movies, this is the movie for you. It's made in a similar vein to "Kick-Ass" and while that movie sent up superheroes, this one does so with spies. It's no surprise that the common link is that Matthew Vaughn directed both movies.
The movie opens in 1997 when a team of British secret agents including Harry Hart with the code name Galahad (Colin Firth), experiences tragedy in the field. One of the agents is killed. Fast forward 17 years later and we discover that Gary 'Eggsy' Unwin (Taron Egerton) is the son of the agent killed. He lands himself in trouble and a probable jail sentence one day and remembers a special item he received from a family friend who so happens to be Harry Hart, who has made a promise to ensure his friend's life and legacy live on. He answers the call for help sent out by Eggsy and takes him under his wing. He goes through all the necessary training to see if he will eventually become a "Kingsman" just like his father.
There are some spectacular scenes that are exciting for action lovers, especially the thrilling skydiving training and a church scene where it must have set the record number for kills on screen. It is very violent in a fun, stylish way. However, it is definitely not for the faint-hearted with so many deaths captured in a variety of ways. The church scene has been filmed brilliantly using one camera that seems to glide with the action and kills.
Egerton is a relative newcomer who handles himself well considering the older talent on show. Firth is suave and debonair who will definitely not let down his female audience, the ladies who have swooned over him since his "Pride and Prejudice" days. Jackson is terrific as the lisping entrepreneur who has ulterior motives when it comes to promoting his business while Caine is as reliable as always as the head of the secret service agency. Strong rounds off the main cast with an excellent performance as the head of the recruiting team. Even Mark Hamill (Yes, Luke Skywalker!) makes an appearance as a kidnapped scientist.
The music score is a rousing success, playing off the upbeat action scenes well. Great care has also been taken in how the film looks with some wonderful looking sets. There are also some picturesque scenes featuring London and the snow.
There's so much in this movie that will keep you interested and entertained. It's definitely not a movie for everyone because the excessive violence, especially the church scenes, will turn off a lot of viewers. However, if you have a strong stomach and an offbeat sense of humour, you should be able to appreciate this movie.
Starring Colin Firth, Taron Egerton, Samuel L. Jackson, Mark Strong and Michael Caine
(129 minutes)
Parental advice: Violence, coarse language and nudity
Additional scene during or after credits: Yes, during the credits there is about a one minute scene where Eggsy demonstrates his Kingsman skills to a group that has plagued him in the past. The scene opens with the song "Slave to Love" being played on a cassette then stopped when Eggsy walks into the pub.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m4NCribDx4U (Movie trailer)
(Reviewed on Wednesday 4th February, 2015)
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