Friday, February 20, 2015

Review of KINGSMAN: THE SECRET SERVICE: Spy Spectacular!

February 20, 2015




When Eggsy was a toddler, his father was killed in the line of work. He was given a special medal by a well-dressed gentleman, telling him that he can call when he is in trouble. Seventeen years later, growing up in a rough London suburb, Eggsy got himself thrown in jail after engaging police in a backwards car chase. He calls the number behind the medal, and in comes the dapper Harry Hart to the rescue. Knowing Eggsy's wasted talents in gymnastics and academics, Harry brings him to try out for a vacancy in his ultra-secret spy organization, the Kingsmen.

The fun begins with the opening credits, when letters would form out of the rubble that fell from various explosions of an ancient temple, to the tune of Dire Straits' hit "Money for Nothing". You knew by then that you should be ready for something tongue-in-cheek. The beginning sequences do not hide the fact that this would be a graphically violent film. Throughout the film we will be regaled with fights with guns, bombs, and blades, all in extraordinarily spectacular fashion we have never seen before.

Colin Firth, an actor who is practically typecast as the shy guy in romantic comedies, shows a totally screen persona here. As Harry Hart, aka Galahad, he is a swashbuckling super spy like we have never seen him before. Mark Strong makes another memorable screen appearance as Merlin, the Number 2 man among the Kingsmen. The ever reliable Michael Caine plays Arthur, the head Kingsman. He can play this type of role with his eyes closed. 

Samuel L. Jackson is hilarious as the villain Richmond Valentine, an insane megalomaniac telecom tycoon with a lisp planning to have mankind kill each other. Exotic beauty Sofia Boutella is Valentine's vicious henchman Gazelle, a graceful killer with her deadly sharp prosthetic legs. Mark Hamill was unrecognizable as the elderly environmentalist Professor Arnold, whose abduction starts the action.

The biggest surprise is the breakthrough star-making performance of Taron Egerton as Eggsy. In the beginning it took some time getting used to the new face. But as the film went on, Egerton will possess the screen with his action skills and suave charm. He stood his ground, even in the strong presence of his esteemed co-stars. By the time the film ends, you could not wait to see more of this young man in future films. 

Overall, this is a very entertaining, visually stimulating film. The production design, with all those gadgetry and weaponry, is very inventive and eye-catching. The musical score is pulsating and exciting. The action sequences were really relentlessly bloody, with various body parts getting impaled, sliced off or blowing up. Yet, this was all done with typically British wry humor and aristocratic class. 

Director Matthew Vaughn takes the James Bond genre, and mixes in the superhero and hi-tech elements of two excellent films he directed before ("Kick-Ass" and "X-Men: First Class"), as well as some Cockney elements from his earlier productions like "Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels". With "Kingsman", Vaughn has actually managed to create something even more fantastic. This is the best 2015 release so far. 9/10.


18 comments:

  1. Now I can understand why the title goes by Kingsman

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  2. I've heard so much good reviews about Kingsmen. I'm excited to watch this tomorrow! Your rating is so high. Wow!

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  3. I've seen the trailer and intrigued, this adds up to the excitement considering you're giving it 9/10. Hmmm, this is a must-see for me.

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  4. I'm catching this because everyone has been saying how good it is! Thanks for the reaffirmation!

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  5. Thanks for the recommendation, will try to catch this movie over the weekend.

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  6. This movie looks pretty cool. Thanks for reviewing it. We're always on the lookout for new movies and I like Samuel L. Jackson as an actor. We'll be sure to check it out!

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  7. i've watched this 2 days ago and I LOVE IT! omg.... the sleek and cool action mixed with bits of humour here and there is just plain awesome!

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  8. Colin Firth in a super spy kind of role will be really interesting to watch. The movie sure looks like a winner with all the star cast and the different roles they are playing

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  9. wow I am a big Colin Firth fan and I cant even imagine how cool he would be looking this new avatar. =)

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  10. Thanks for this review. Indeed, Colin Firth looked shy and timid. Must be surprising to see him in this role. I'll check put of this is still showing here.

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  11. I saw the trailer a few times on TV and wondered about it as I do like Colin Firth and Sam l. Jackson. I'm not big on violent movies so I'll probably skip this one.

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  12. Honestly, the first time I watched the film, I thought it was another 'sleepy-type' film. But I was proven wrong. Wow! Oscar best film. Gonna see this one now. Thanks for the nice review.

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  13. I was pleasantly amazed with the perfect game of Samuel Jackson as the villain and in my opinion, Collin Firth is brilliant as ever! This movie is intriguing.

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  14. i didnt read the post as I'm watching it this week haha. heard great things about it!

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  15. This is something hubby and I would love to watch. I'm a Colin Firth and Samuel Jackson fan so it's definitely in my list. Thanks for the review and glad you liked it!

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  16. I got to watch this last week. I didn't pay much attention and was glued to my phone when the film started, but about a quarter way through, I just had to keep my phone in my bag and concentrate on the movie. It was really good! Love the cool action scenes and the whole vibe of the film! I was so impressed and happy that I think I'll have to rewatch it just to see the first few minutes I missed when I first watched it. XD

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  17. Just to share... when I first saw the poster or teaser of this movie, I don't know why but I suddenly thought of the City of Dreams. HAHA! Anyway, I haven't seen this movie but my parents have and they recommended that I watch it. Based on your review and my parents recommendation, this really sounds like a worth watch.

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  18. i enjoy watching movies like this. thats why i love csi, dexter and white collar tv series. ;)

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