Official Australian release date: 5/2/15. Viewed: 4/2/15.
Director: Matthew Vaughn
Actors: Taron Egerton, Colin Firth, Samuel L. Jackson, Mark Strong,
Michael Caine
Genre: Action / Comedy
Rating: MA
‘Kingsman’
is fun – it’s a modern take on action/adventure save-the-world films and while
it pays homage to the Bond films, it isn’t a direct knock-off of them. The director
Vaughn also “rebooted” superhero films recently (‘X-Men: First Class’ & ‘Kick
Ass’) and is helped ably by this film being based on another Mark Millar (Wanted,
Kick Ass, Secret Service) graphic novel, which means you’re guaranteed
excessive violence and unexpected plot twists. I hope they keep turning his
graphic novels into films!
Like
any good spy movie, it starts with a ridiculous ‘evil genius’ – Valentine (Jackson,
with a hilarious lisp & wardrobe) – plan: use a neurotransmitter to make
people homicidally violent and wipe out the majority of the human race to save
the planet from climate change. Then comes the secret spy agency that no
government even knows about – the Kingsmen, led by Arthur (Caine). Their top
agent Galahad/Harry (Firth, great to see him playing against type) who recruits
Eggsy (newcomer Egerton) and we get to see him go through trials until he
becomes a “gentleman Kingsman”. Some very nice suits, gadgetry and locations
are used to impress that “manners maketh the man”.
There
are quite a few differences between the film and the graphic novel, but they
don’t detract from what is a simple, well-made, fast-paced action film, with plenty
of wit and comedy thrown in for good measure. All the actors are great and Jackson
seems to relish being the crazy villain. I hope there’s sequels to follow! The ‘fireworks’ scene
at the end is exceptional & hilarious. Also – only nine months until we get
to see Mark Hamill again!
Overall: very fun action comedy.
Gav's Rating: 4 stars.
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