Kingsman: The Secret Service (2014)
Dir: Matthew Vaughn
Stars: Taron Egerton, Colin Firth, Mark Strong, Samuel L Jackson, Sofia Boutella and Sir Michael Caine
Runtime: 2hr 09m (129mins)
Stars: Taron Egerton, Colin Firth, Mark Strong, Samuel L Jackson, Sofia Boutella and Sir Michael Caine
Runtime: 2hr 09m (129mins)
Story
The Kingsmen and women are the keepers of peace. So secret, no one has ever heard of them, they take on the missions deemed to dangerous for even special forces. These guys are the spies that spies want to be! Eggsy is a social reject, stealing cars, dealing drugs, getting into trouble with the law. After getting caught joyriding, the Kingsmen take an interest in this young hoodlum and recruit him into their ranks.
Review
Can I start off by saying....
THIS MOVIE ROCKS!!!!
Right, that is out of my system.
I am a fan of Mark Millar's work in the world of graphic novels and his work (along with the illustrators, often Dave Gibbons) is very graphic. 'Wanted' is my favourite and though I enjoyed the film, it is vastly different and a lot more bloody on the page than it was on the screen. The 'Kick-Ass' series have been brilliant (again, films don't match up well the comics), Superior was fun and a few others I have read have been great reads (although Superman: Red Son still eludes me).
So going into this film and from what I had seen from the trailer, noticeable difference were at the forefront. That being said, I was still excited as I had read Kingsman last summer (2014) and it was still fresh in my mind.
With my biased views I can honestly say that this may be the first time a film based on works by Mr. Millar actually exceeds the novel.
It is ultra violent, very funny and has a "Kick-Ass" soundtrack to boot (although Take That recording the main theme will put me off buying it).
THIS MOVIE ROCKS!!!!
Right, that is out of my system.
I am a fan of Mark Millar's work in the world of graphic novels and his work (along with the illustrators, often Dave Gibbons) is very graphic. 'Wanted' is my favourite and though I enjoyed the film, it is vastly different and a lot more bloody on the page than it was on the screen. The 'Kick-Ass' series have been brilliant (again, films don't match up well the comics), Superior was fun and a few others I have read have been great reads (although Superman: Red Son still eludes me).
So going into this film and from what I had seen from the trailer, noticeable difference were at the forefront. That being said, I was still excited as I had read Kingsman last summer (2014) and it was still fresh in my mind.
With my biased views I can honestly say that this may be the first time a film based on works by Mr. Millar actually exceeds the novel.
It is ultra violent, very funny and has a "Kick-Ass" soundtrack to boot (although Take That recording the main theme will put me off buying it).
There is an unusually long running time to this movie. Most films of it's ilk are an 1h 30m to 1h 45m. Kingsman's 2h 09m doesn't feel like it is wearing thin at any point. The story is quick paced, the action comes thicker than a Maccy D's chocolate shake and the humour is perfect. The pace of the film was never an issue. Something a lot of big screen film tend to lose sight of and you find your mind wandering. No trouble here. Your mind will be thoroughly worked-out with all the action and fun.
I do wish to talk about Luke Sywalker, otherwise known as Mark Hamill. He was actually in the graphic novel and when the first trailer was released, there was a huge internet buzz when people noticed that Matthew Vaughn had actually secured him for his page to screen transformation. It is only a small part for him but he is fab and I was shocked at how good his British accent was.
Onto the other actors....
TARON EGERTON NEEDS TO BE SIGNED UP AS THE NEW SPIDER-MAN!!!!
If Marvel or Disney are reading this, please make this happen!
I have never seen or heard of this chap before. He has only had one big screen film behind him with only a handful of tv appearances. Hopefully, this will all change. The 24 year old Welshman (Cymru Am Byth) is absolutely terrific in the role of the ASBO hoarding "yoof" with only trouble and mayhem on his mind. His characters arc, and the way he plays this, is second to none. He takes the role on with the vigour and excitement that we see only a handful of times in the movie world. I really want to see more films with this fellow countryman in.
Now onto Colin Firth. Firth is like a fine wine that gets better with age. Yes, that analogy has been used so much but it is the best analogy to use for such a sophisticated actor. I have never seen Firth in a role like this. It feels like it would be out of his comfort zone to play an arse-kicking, gun totting spy, but he does this with such tenacity that you will see him in a totally new light. He has the elegance and charm to play the perfect gentleman but seems to have picked up a few tricks whilst working with Mr Vaugh. Bravo, Mr. Firth, Bravo!
I do wish to talk about Luke Sywalker, otherwise known as Mark Hamill. He was actually in the graphic novel and when the first trailer was released, there was a huge internet buzz when people noticed that Matthew Vaughn had actually secured him for his page to screen transformation. It is only a small part for him but he is fab and I was shocked at how good his British accent was.
Onto the other actors....
TARON EGERTON NEEDS TO BE SIGNED UP AS THE NEW SPIDER-MAN!!!!
If Marvel or Disney are reading this, please make this happen!
I have never seen or heard of this chap before. He has only had one big screen film behind him with only a handful of tv appearances. Hopefully, this will all change. The 24 year old Welshman (Cymru Am Byth) is absolutely terrific in the role of the ASBO hoarding "yoof" with only trouble and mayhem on his mind. His characters arc, and the way he plays this, is second to none. He takes the role on with the vigour and excitement that we see only a handful of times in the movie world. I really want to see more films with this fellow countryman in.
Now onto Colin Firth. Firth is like a fine wine that gets better with age. Yes, that analogy has been used so much but it is the best analogy to use for such a sophisticated actor. I have never seen Firth in a role like this. It feels like it would be out of his comfort zone to play an arse-kicking, gun totting spy, but he does this with such tenacity that you will see him in a totally new light. He has the elegance and charm to play the perfect gentleman but seems to have picked up a few tricks whilst working with Mr Vaugh. Bravo, Mr. Firth, Bravo!
There is a very good use of music throughout, I won't spoil anything but safe to say that you will notice when these particular tunes come on and how well they work with the scene in hand.
I promise I won't spoil anything for you, but I just want to say "the church scene"! WOW!!!! It is one of those true jaw-dropping moment that will force your eyes open wider and wider as the scene unfolds. It was almost exhausting watching it and recalling it now has made me smile like the proverbial cat that got the cream. oh, and that cat would be 'The Chesire Cat' It is possibly the best scene of the film but, infact, there are so many scenes that were brilliant, it wouldn't be fair to single out just one.
Before I forget, Sofia Boutella as Gazelle is a) stunningly beautiful and b) the kind of henchman/ woman you should see in every Bond movie. In fact if Bond came up against Gazelle, 007 would probably come off worse. Her prosthetic legs are such a great catalyst for the damage she can and does do. She is a fully abled woman in real life and the digital effects team have CGI'd the prosthetics over. This is extremely well done too.
Onto my only real negative. Sam Jackson as the computer nerd/ geek with a lithp. There were times when I caught him losing the lisp which kind of put me off. But that is it really. Yeah, maybe they could have got someone else but its as it is and he doesn't by any means do a terrible job.
The camera work is exactly what we have come to expect off Matthew Vaughn. It is slick and very grande. The skydiving scene in particular is beautifully shot. The sound was superb, though I was watching in IMAX and it is known that your audio and visual senses are pushed to the max in this format.
I promise I won't spoil anything for you, but I just want to say "the church scene"! WOW!!!! It is one of those true jaw-dropping moment that will force your eyes open wider and wider as the scene unfolds. It was almost exhausting watching it and recalling it now has made me smile like the proverbial cat that got the cream. oh, and that cat would be 'The Chesire Cat' It is possibly the best scene of the film but, infact, there are so many scenes that were brilliant, it wouldn't be fair to single out just one.
Before I forget, Sofia Boutella as Gazelle is a) stunningly beautiful and b) the kind of henchman/ woman you should see in every Bond movie. In fact if Bond came up against Gazelle, 007 would probably come off worse. Her prosthetic legs are such a great catalyst for the damage she can and does do. She is a fully abled woman in real life and the digital effects team have CGI'd the prosthetics over. This is extremely well done too.
Onto my only real negative. Sam Jackson as the computer nerd/ geek with a lithp. There were times when I caught him losing the lisp which kind of put me off. But that is it really. Yeah, maybe they could have got someone else but its as it is and he doesn't by any means do a terrible job.
The camera work is exactly what we have come to expect off Matthew Vaughn. It is slick and very grande. The skydiving scene in particular is beautifully shot. The sound was superb, though I was watching in IMAX and it is known that your audio and visual senses are pushed to the max in this format.
So, there it is. Highly, and I mean that, HIGHLY recommend you head off to your local cinema and watch it. If you can watch it in IMAX, id say front up the extra cash, because it is definitely worth it.
#OneWordReview - WILD!!! 9/10
#OneWordReview - WILD!!! 9/10