← Back to Reviews
in
Kingsman: The Secret Service (2014)
Dir. Matthew Vaughn
Starring: Taron Egerton, Colin Firth, Samuel L. Jackson
John Wick, Kingsman, and Dredd are three of my favourite movies to come out in recent years, and since I've already covered my thoughts on John Wick and Dredd, it seems only fair to give Kingsman the same treatment. One thing you'll notice about these three films is that they are all stylish, violent, unashamedly R-rated celebrations of the action genre. After years of watered-down PG-13 sequels to older franchises, these movies were a very welcome return to form.
I am not familiar with the Secret Service comic series, but from what I've heard, Kingsman is only a very loose adaptation of the source material, so it's not required to enjoy the movie. The story is simple enough to follow, and it borrows heavily from spy films like the 007 series (which the movie even blatantly references on occasion), all while keeping its tongue planted firmly in cheek. The ridiculousness of the plot only amplifies as the movie continues on, with Samuel L. Jackson's villain unfortunately being the weakest part of the film.
Kingsman is an incredibly violent movie, but it's intentionally over-the-top and so stylish that it never falls into the truly grotesque. Had Vaughn taken a realistic approach, part of the film's climax would've rivalled the most notorious horror films in terms of gore, but instead we're treated to an explosion of light and colours that create a vivid and even playful spectacle. All of the other fight scenes, particularly the one in the Church, are well choreographed and edited to the point where it even manages to make Colin Firth look like a viable action star.
As you would expect from a cast including the likes of Colin Firth, Mark Strong, Michael Caine, Samuel L. Jackson, and even Mark Hamill in a small role, the performances in this movie are top notch. Even newcomer Taron Egerton, who could easily have been overshadowed by the more experienced actors he shares the screen with, is perfectly cast as the smug, troubled youth the story follows. As I've already said, I was not generally impressed with the film's villain, but Jackson really commits to the character, and is entertaining enough in his own right (if only slightly annoying) to forgive his appropriately nonsensical master plan.
Add this movie to your list if you want a fun, stylish action movie with a few
laughs that manages to be both violent and light-hearted at the same time.
Kingsman: The Secret Service (2014)
Dir. Matthew Vaughn
Starring: Taron Egerton, Colin Firth, Samuel L. Jackson
John Wick, Kingsman, and Dredd are three of my favourite movies to come out in recent years, and since I've already covered my thoughts on John Wick and Dredd, it seems only fair to give Kingsman the same treatment. One thing you'll notice about these three films is that they are all stylish, violent, unashamedly R-rated celebrations of the action genre. After years of watered-down PG-13 sequels to older franchises, these movies were a very welcome return to form.
I am not familiar with the Secret Service comic series, but from what I've heard, Kingsman is only a very loose adaptation of the source material, so it's not required to enjoy the movie. The story is simple enough to follow, and it borrows heavily from spy films like the 007 series (which the movie even blatantly references on occasion), all while keeping its tongue planted firmly in cheek. The ridiculousness of the plot only amplifies as the movie continues on, with Samuel L. Jackson's villain unfortunately being the weakest part of the film.
Kingsman is an incredibly violent movie, but it's intentionally over-the-top and so stylish that it never falls into the truly grotesque. Had Vaughn taken a realistic approach, part of the film's climax would've rivalled the most notorious horror films in terms of gore, but instead we're treated to an explosion of light and colours that create a vivid and even playful spectacle. All of the other fight scenes, particularly the one in the Church, are well choreographed and edited to the point where it even manages to make Colin Firth look like a viable action star.
As you would expect from a cast including the likes of Colin Firth, Mark Strong, Michael Caine, Samuel L. Jackson, and even Mark Hamill in a small role, the performances in this movie are top notch. Even newcomer Taron Egerton, who could easily have been overshadowed by the more experienced actors he shares the screen with, is perfectly cast as the smug, troubled youth the story follows. As I've already said, I was not generally impressed with the film's villain, but Jackson really commits to the character, and is entertaining enough in his own right (if only slightly annoying) to forgive his appropriately nonsensical master plan.
Add this movie to your list if you want a fun, stylish action movie with a few
laughs that manages to be both violent and light-hearted at the same time.