Kingsman: The Secret Service (2015) - Film Review

Starring: Taron Egerton, Colin Firth, Samuel L. Jackson & Mark Strong

Screenplay: Jane Goldman & Matthew Vaughan

Directed By: Matthew Vaughan

Certificate: 15

 

If there's one genre of film that has never really lost its appeal, it's the spy film. Recent films such as Skyfall and upcoming films such as Mission Impossible – Rogue Nation, and the success they have achieved or are likely to achieve, proves that audiences still have a hunger to watch secret agents saving the world in unique and unlikely ways. Despite their success, filmmakers aren't afraid to parody the spy and action genres, as seen in films such as Johnny English. Now, throwing its secret agent gadget into the ring, from action directing veteran Matthew Vaughn, we have Kingsman: The Secret Service, a film that is surely going to end up being one of 2015's highlights.

 

Kingsman: The Secret Service, loosely based off the spy comic book series of the same name, follows the missions of the top secret agent service: Kingsman. When one high-ranking Kingsman agent is killed in a terrorist attack, fellow agent Galahad has the task of finding a suitable candidate to replace him. Many years after the Kingsman agent's death, Galahad recruits the dead man's son, Eggsy, into the service. As Eggsy undergoes his training to become a Kingsman agent, the secret service uncovers an evil plot devised by billionaire Richmond Valentine. Valentine's plans involve world domination and the threat to wipe out nearly all of the human race. It's up to Galahad, Eggsy and the other Kingsman agents to put an end to his plans.

 

Despite the theatrical posters and promotional material trying to hook audiences in with its high-ranking cast, including Colin Firth, Michael Caine and Samuel L. Jackson, the real star of the film is Taron Egerton, making his feature film debut. Film debuts don't come much stronger than this one, and Taron Egerton has proved without doubt that he is one of the best rising stars in the media industry today. While the introduction of his character is a bit of a cliché, i.e. a street thug hanging around the streets of the city, as well as living with his widowed mother and abusive stepfather, It actually helps in showing just how far his character develops over the movie. As Eggsy works with Galahad to stop Valentine's plan, his progression from a street thug to a sophisticated, suave and well-spoken agent feels entirely believable, largely thanks to Taron Egerton's wonderful performance.

 

This isn't to say that the performances from the rest of the cast are overshadowed. Colin Firth playing a slightly older Bond-style character, Galahad, is just a dream to watch, as the contrast between a man who is calm and in control, to a man who is able to take down entire street gangs single-handedly in a pub, never fails to raise a smile. Colin Firth's role here shows just how versatile an actor he is, as it's certainly a change from some of his previous roles such as Mr. Darcy in Pride & Prejudice and Mark Darcy in Bridget Jones' Diary. Samuel L. Jackson also gives another great performance here as the main antagonist, Valentine. The very basis of the villain he plays is a funny one – a billionaire who talks of a plot involving mass murder, but who also talks with a lisp and cannot stand to watch, or even hear anything violent. While Samuel L. Jackson is wonderful with the comedy, it would be unfair to say that he cannot provide a genuine threat. Valentine does provide some genuine shocks, and even kills some of the key figures in Kingsman.

 

Acting as a really good side-villain is Sofia Boutella as Gazelle. Gazelle is Valentine's henchwoman, who literally has swords in place of her lower legs! Gazelle arguably provides more suspense and thrill than Valentine, and she is definitely the cause of most of the gore and violence in the film. Lastly, Michael Caine is also present as the head of the Kingsman agents. This role is quite different to the typecast cockney gangster that Michael Caine usually portrays; and while his role here may not be one of the biggest in the film, it's still great to watch.

 

One of the most notable things about Kingsman: The Secret Service, is its top-notch action scenes, and for all the right reasons. As to be expected with action veteran Matthew Vaughn, these scenes are stunning. The church fight scene is one that will almost certainly go down as one of the best acted, directed and executed action scenes ever made. While the church fight is unquestionably a mini-masterpiece in its own right, I would personally say that its the final battle between Eggsy and Gazelle that is somehow even better. I can't fully explain it, but I know that I'm always hooked whenever I watch that scene – it's just stunning. The audience has seen through the course of the film that Gazelle is a real and dangerous threat – and the odds between her and Eggsy are practically equal in this last fight. The superb choreography, such as Gazelle twirling around on the floor with her swords brandishing in every direction, is made even more thrilling thanks to Matthew Vaughn. With 360 shots, panning shots, slow-motion and a rarely static camera, this scene really is a treat for the eyes. As if this wasn't already enough, the stakes are at an immense high-point, with the people in the outside world wiping each other out.

 

As amazing as the action is here, we mustn't forget that Kingsman: The Secret Service is ridiculously over-the-top, and the film is all the better for relishing this, than trying to shy away from it. Jane Goldman and Matthew Vaughn's script is absolute gold, as it never fails to entertain. Going back to the church scene, the way that Galahad goes around slaughtering the masses is impressive, but its made even better when we consider that most of the things Galahad's doing, are almost impossible and so wonderfully exaggerated. The dialogue between characters is really mastered, as the sense of wit and just pure fun never seems to die down.

 

So while I do really love this film, I will admit that it does have a few little problems, the largest of these is its treatment of female characters. With the exception of Gazelle, many of the female characters in this film are either poorly-handled or given very little to do. The worst case scenario for this is the treatment of Princess Tilde. Relatively early in the film, the princess is captured and held prisoner by Valentine. In the final scenes of the film, the princess's role becomes nothing but Eggsy's reward for saving the world. While I'd imagine that this is done to parody the early Bond films, it just doesn't sit right here in a 21st Century film. Roxy, one of Eggsy's fellow Kingsman agents, isn't treated as badly as this, but she is also given very little to do, as she is almost constantly absent from the main events of the film.

 

To round up, I think I can be fairly confident in saying that Kingsman: The Secret Service is destined to become one of 2015's best films. The wonderful performances from its acclaimed cast help to sell some brilliant and engaging characters, while Matthew Vaughn's stellar direction makes the film look sleek, smooth and feel like an action-packed ride. Top this off with a witty and constantly funny script, and you have a truly amazing film. It may have a couple of problems here and there, but not enough to detract from how much pure fun it is at the end of the day.

 

 

Kingsman: The Secret Service



10/10