Movie Review: Kingsman: The Secret Service
What We Liked
What We Didn't Like
Paying homage to classic spy movies, Kingsman: The Secret Service is the coming of age story of a young man who joins a private British company that serves as the intelligence organization that is seemingly built to define what other intelligence organizations should be – it is essentially MI-6 without all the bothersome government oversight and regulations.
As the film opens, we first hear the helicopters’ rhythmic urgency. In true old-school fashion, we are treated to an exciting set piece full of flying bullets and thundering explosions. The scene will inevitably lay the emotional groundwork for the rest of the film. During this battle, Harry Hart (Colin Firth), codename Galahad, leads a helicopter 
assault team of agents into a middle-eastern bunker to gather intelligence. One of his men is killed saving the rest of the team and Harry must now inform a grieving widow and son of the death of their loved one. The lad will grow up to become Gary “Eggsy” Unwin (Taron Egerton) – the hero.
The film was directed by Matthew Vaughn who is best known for X-Men: First Class (2011) and Kick-Ass (2010). (Although his first film, Layer Cake (2004), is perhaps his best.) Vaughn and his writing partner, Jane Goldman, wrote the screenplay for Kingsman using source material from the original comic book written by Mark Millar and Dave Gibbons. (This is the second Mark Miller comic book adaptation that this writing team has done as Kick-Ass was also a Millar comic.) Clearly the creators of this film are on familiar ground here.
Eggsy is a bit of a lost soul. He is unable to keep his mother away from a bad crowd or protect her from the rough sort of boyfriends she attracts. He has great potential but no prospects. So, he resorts to petty crime for fun along with his mates. One night things go too far and he is forced to reach out to Harry in desperation for help. This leads Harry to think that perhaps he can repay his debt to the boy’s father by seeing if Eggsy is a fit for the Kingsman, thus straightening him out.
The film then splits into two story arcs. In one we see the training of Eggsy under the tutelage of Merlin (Mark Strong), the drill instructor, and Arthur (Michael Caine), the leader of the Kingsmen. Naturally there is a bit of class warfare amongst the trainees and Eggsy has to put up with quite a bit of abuse. That part of the film is a bit too predictable for my taste. At the end of the day though, we all know that Eggsy is going to somehow pull through and win his way into the service – though maybe in not quite the way you would expect. The parallel story follows the film’s villain, Valentine (Samuel L. Jackson), as he attempts to recruit allies. Valentine is an internet mogul and self-made billionaire hell bent on a plan that will not go well for the majority of the global population. He is assisted by Gazelle (Sofia Boutella) who is his major-domo/chief assassin/lover – a very Bond-esque villainess.
Colin Firth and Taron Egerton in “Kingsman: The Secret Service.” Photo by Photo: Jaap Buitendijk – © TM and © 2014 Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation.
Once the two plot lines start to overlap the fun really begins. As you might guess, it is time for Eggsy to save the world. This involves super spy gadgets, an RPG shot at a satellite, lots of violence, and a new suit. The climax is an elaborately choreographed smack-down that is practically a dance number it is so complex. The ending of the film is further enhanced by the precious reward that a rescued Scandinavian princess bestows upon Eggsy – a special thank you that even 007 would appreciate.
Taron Egerton is only in his second feature film here, but you would certainly never know it to watch him. Additionally, while I always enjoy Mark Strong in everything I see him in, the real surprise, for me, was how very good Colin Firth was. I would have bet money against him being at all convincing in this role. Admittedly, I may still be holding those chick flicks with Rene Zellweger against him.
The homage approach that does not spin off the rails into parody is artfully done here and that is a rare treat. The writing is spot on and the film boasts a great cast. The blend of action, gore, comedy, and satire is quite brilliant. Kingsman: The Secret Service will never win an Oscar but it will certainly be a cult classic in its own way. It isn’t Citizen Kane (1941) or even Skyfall (2012) and you know what, I’m glad it isn’t trying to be.
Steven Gahm
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