What happens when you mix James Bond with Kill Bill? You get, Kingsman: The Secret Service. Based on a comic book by Mark Millar, The Secret Service, veteran director Matthew Vaughn tells us the story of a super spy organization with code names straight out of Camelot and the Knights of the Round Table that fight against global threats. They are first and foremost however, gentlemen. Warning spoilers ahead…
When one of their own code name Lancelot is killed after a failed rescue, Kingsman look to replace their fallen comrade with a new recruit. Colin Firth stars as Harry Hart, code name Galahad who brings in the son, Eggsy Unwin (Taron Egerton) of his former protégé who died in the line of duty saving his life 18 years earlier. Eggsy is a street kid from the wrong side of the tracks but with unlimited potential.
Eggsy is one of few would be Kingsman recruits brought into the secretive academy for training. He is up against those of a privileged background, who one by one get eliminated due to lack of teamwork or cowardice. But what’s a spy thriller without a megalomaniac villain? Enter Richmond Valentine (Samuel L. Jackson) a Russell Simmons like media mogul with a concern for global warming and an idea on how to solve the Earth’s overpopulation problem. His idea, create chaos through a sims card that his company freely provided to the unsuspecting masses that will unleash violent bloodshed. He even goes as far as kidnapping celebrities and dignitaries. As well as mind controlling certain powers that be to insure his diabolical plan will go off without a hitch. Don’t concern yourself with the outlandish details. Just sit back, watch it all unfold and have a good time doing so.
Kingsman plays up on some many spy thrillers of the past and ramps up the volume on the stylishly choreographed mayhem that ensued throughout. Its mind-blowing climax set to music pays homage to all those films that inspired it. Kingsman even has one of the best villainous sidekicks (Sofia Boutella) that harkens back to the character Odd Job in Goldfinger. Although this exotic femme fatale may have been better suited in the Kill Bill series.
Directed by: Matthew Vaughn
Starring: Colin Firth, Taron Egerton, Samuel L. Jackson, Michael Caine, Mark Strong, Sofia Boutella & Sophie Cookson
Kingsman: The Secret Service – **** (Out of 5 stars)
May the Dork be with you,
JPB
The Dork Knight
