After a very busy month, I was finally able to catch up on Matthew Vaughn’s new action packed movie Kingsman: The Secret Service, starring Taron Egerton, Colin Firth, Mark Strong and Samuel L. Jackson. If I had to sum up this movie in one word it would be “YES!” Finally a modern spy movie really worth watching. In the sea of boring and uninteresting James Bond copycats, Kingsman comes as a relief. Kingsman is a secret organization linked to the British Government, filled with the best spies in britain. Harry Hart (Colin Firth), code name Galahad, needs to find a new recruit to replace a fallen colleague. In Eggsy (Taron Egerton), a somewhat troubled young man, he may have found just what he was looking for.
What a brilliant example of how to adapt, change and honor a great comic book. After Kick-Ass, Matthew Vaughn loosely adapted a second Mark Millar comic, The Secret Service. While both the comic and the adaptation are quite different, there are some easter eggs that are to die for (right Mark Hamill?). I love Matthew Vaughn’s universe and how he plays with the comic book’s aesthetic when it comes to graphic violence. Harry Hart’s impressive fight scene was jaw dropping, firstly because of what is going on, and secondly because it is perfectly executed. And the soundtrack just gives so much more rhythm to the action, I’m getting excited just thinking about it.
As for the cast, who better to play those classier Inspector Gadgets than awesome Brits! It’s always a pleasure to see Colin Firth on my screen, and as Harry Hart, he’s definitely at the top of his game. The way he says the most amazing and hilarious lines with the straightest of faces, that’s art. It’s the third collaboration for Matthew Vaughn & Mark Strong (for those interested, Mark was in Stardust and Kick-Ass) but let’s hope Kingsman is not their last. He fits so well in his comic universe, but I have to say that it’s nice to see him as a positive character instead of the usual baddy. As for Samuel L. Jackson, portraying the over the top, blood-hating, mobile entrepreneur Valentine, he’s probably the downside of Kingsman, but still gives a hilarious performance. The revelation of Kingsman is of course Taron Egerton, who brilliantly portrays Eggsy. I’m definitely looking forward to seeing more of him in the future because if we get that quality of acting again, you can sign me up for everything.
Kingsman is not all about entertainment and violence, it’s also very smart. Vaughn and his writing partner Jane Goldman have once again outdone themselves with the screenplay. Their dialogues are brilliant, and the entire conversation between Hart and Valentine about spy movies really reinforced the parodical aspect of the movie, “Nowadays, they’re all a little serious for my taste. But the old ones… marvelous. Give me a far-fetched theatrical plot any day,” and Kingsman is “not that kind of movie” for our greatest pleasure.
There isn’t much I didn’t like, but I’ll have to say that Samuel L. Jackson’s accent while entertaining at first, is deeply annoying. Plus, the head-exploding scene was a little bit over the top or just a wee bit too long.
Kingsman: The Secret Service is the second movie I can cross on my most anticipated movies list, and it’s definitely one of the best movies I’ve seen in a while. It has everything: it’s entertaining, very funny, intelligent, full of irony, and doesn’t beat around the bush. What more do we need? Matthew Vaughn, my good sir, you are a genius.
Rating: 5/5
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