Kingsman: The Secret Service

I have a very special treat for you guys that I would like to share as it was a very special treat for me. For my first ever, advanced screening, I was able to catch one of my most highly anticipated films of the year: Kingsman: The Secret Service. Now, unfortunately this doesn't mean I've made a leap forward in the movie critic world. My advanced screening was really a stroke of luck as a good friend of mine secured some giveaway advanced passes and invited me to go along (thanks again!). But what a treat it was to see this film early because I absolutely loved it and 11 months down the road when I am planning the 2015 Rath Awards, I could easily see this film sticking around in my mind all year to win some awards, despite how enormous this year will be at the cinemas. 

Colin Firth wants to kill you. Politely, of course.

Kingsman: The Secret Service is director Matthew Vaughn's foray back into the world of the R-rated comic book adaptation. After directing one of my personal favorite comic-book films, Kick-Ass, he went on to do X-Men: First Class which was the step in the right direction that franchise needed. Sadly, he wasn't at the director's helm for the disappointing Kick-Ass 2 and a large part of that was because he was busy working on Kingsman. 

I'm happy to report that Kingsman: The Secret Service is classic Matthew Vaughn, and although it's environment is different, it's a far better spiritual successor to the original Kick-Ass than the sequel was. Simplest way I can think to put it is: if you enjoyed Kick-Ass, you'll enjoy Kingsman. If you hated Kick-Ass, you'll most likely hate Kingsman. And if Kick-Ass offended you...well then, Kingsman is going to offend you to ya wanker! (Sorry, I've become intensely British after seeing the film). 

Gazelle: the villain with the blade legs. Side note: I may or may not have fallen in love...

Kingsman is an incredible amount of fun, much in the way that Kick-Ass was. It's incredibly R-rated, violent, and bloody...but always with a cheeky humor underlying all the fighting. Think of the older Bond films that were somewhat corny, add a decent amount of cursing and stylized violence, bring them into the 21st century and you have the recipe for Kingsman. Even better is that Kingsman is acutely aware of this and even playfully acknowledges it through various dialogue that claims it's "not that kind of movie". Most of you already know that I like my action inventive, fast-paced, and intense and Kingsman is all of these things. It's filmed in an up close, visceral style that still gives the stunts room to breath (unlike last week's Tak3n). It's easy to tell what is going on, which led to several "Oh snap!" moments from my excited audience. It's also inventive, largely due to the keen ideas that Vaughn is known for, as well as the creations that exist in this world, mainly a villainous woman with bladed legs that is nothing short of incredible. In fact, I'm pretty sure I fell deeply in love with her. Not to mention, if there is one type of action that I love more than superhero-action, it's spy-based action. With a year where we will get Mission: Impossible 5 and Spectre, Kingsman represents the unleashed and uncensored versions of these films and it's both awesome and refreshing. 

Dear Gazelle, I love your bangs. And your legs.

Kingsman also continues Vaughn's tradition of films by being pretty damn funny. The film is highly British, which is refreshing in its own right (I loved the quips and insults), but the comedic timing and script that the characters are given to work with has a little bit of corn and a whole lot of wit. There is a decent amount of physical comedy (mostly paired with the violence), situational comedy, and just general one-liners. The film also takes a genius turn with Samuel L. Jackson as the villain. He represents a Steve Jobs-esque character and given Jackson's history of being a badass, seeing him as a computer nerd who gets queasy at the sight of blood and has an intense and uproarious lisp is comedic gold. Any word he says that has an "s" in it puts a smile on your face and a few instances are too perfect (i.e. "THIT!"). So it's quite a testament then that he, nor any other character, really steals the show as they are all well represented. Sofia Boutella + her bangs are incredibly fun as Gazelle (the sword-leg lady) although she isn't given much to do other than kill. Michael Caine and Mark Hamill are somewhat underused if you consider them fully billed actors, but by the end of the film I would consider them more long cameos. Taron Egerton plays troubled youth, Eggsy, who the story centers around as he goes through Kingsman initiation, and does a great job at being both charismatic and rebellious. Colin Firth plays Harry, his Kingsman mentor, and is incredibly badass in the film, looking as spry and athletic as Bond has ever been. Finally, Mark Strong does a great job as the Kingsman trainer, Merlin. Truth be told, it's a delight to watch many of these actors, most of whom are considered British cinematic royalty, have their fun in an R-rated flick.

Kingsman does have a few issues though, but many of them are minor and hardly detract from the overall experience. The film is ridiculous and this is clear from the very beginning, but there are a few small instances where it gets too ridiculous and cliche for it's own good. I won't spoil anything, but a few scenes seemed somewhat illogical to me from a creative standpoint. There were also some spots of very obvious CGI, which was a bit disappointing, but ultimately understandable given that this film probably didn't have the biggest budget in the world.

Looks like a gentleman, talks like a sailor

Truthfully I could keep going about how fun and engaging Kingsman is. I could discuss it's awesome soundtrack, how well the film develops a heart and actually makes you care, how it avoids the obvious romance, or even how it stands alone perfect on its own if a sequel never gets made (please oh please oh please make a sequel Matthew Vaughn). But instead I'll just say this:

"Thimply put, thith film is thtupendous!" 

I had a bunch of fun with it last night and I can't wait until other audiences can see it on Valentine's Day weekend. 

 CONS:

• I would argue that it's slightly overlong
• Sometimes the film's logic/plot flows better than others
• A little too silly in a few cases
• Some of the special effects are pretty spotty 

PROS:

• So much fun. From beginning to end, the film sucks you in and rarely lets up
• Awesome, intense action that is filmed brilliantly
• Inventive. I loved Gazelle...the true "Blade Runner"
• Great performances all around. Jackson is a blast, and Firth, Caine, Strong, and Egerton own their roles
• The film is often hilarious between the situations it creates, the witty script, Jackson's lisp, etc. It's also self aware enough to make jokes at its own expense
• "Are you f**king taking a p**s?!" I love British slang. The film is very British and it's a ton of fun
• Much like Kick-Ass, there is a surprising amount of heart here
• Great soundtrack
• Very, very R-rated + the spy genre = something we've never really seen before. It's a delightful treat

Rath's Review Score: 9/10