Review of Kingsman: The Secret Service (2015) by Harry W — 01 Dec 2015

Recommended to me by every soul to have seen the film, Kingsman: The Secret Service sounded like it promised a clever blend of action and comedy.

The 007 parody has become a genre of its own, creating films such as Casino Royale, Austin Powers and Johnny English. The success rate amongst them will vary based on viewers' opinion, but the popularity with Kingsman: The Secret Service makes complete sense. Released the same year as Paul Haggis' Spy, Kingsman: The Secret Service capitalizes on not just the 007 Parody genre, but the action comedy genre as a whole. The film borrows the suits, gadgets and smooth-talking UK style of actors that dominated the 007 series, but it also borrows the formula of La Femme Nikita. The convergence of these two narratives with an undertone of comedy is quite frankly one of the most original action concepts I've seen in a long time. Perhaps what is most impressive is the tone of the film because Kingsman: The Secret Service has the ability to serve as both a legitimate spy thriller and a parody of one. This means that it works as a straightforward film with a serious tone, therefore meaning that when the jokes seep in they come by surprise and are a different kind of funny as a result. They may not hit as much as you would expect since they are very spread out over the course of the narrative, but when they enter there is no telling what kind of humour will be used. The premise cleverly diverts familiar plot points and is very self-aware, playing with audience predictions to accrue unexpected moments of utter hilarity while remaining an effective spy thriller at the same time. But I will admit that the narrative structure is somewhat loose for a single film. Considering that Kingsman: The Secret Service packs two narratives directly alongside each other so that one character goes through training while another is playing spy games with the central antagonist, there is a lot going on and many essential characters to keep up with. The characters are engaging enough to ensure this is easy and worth the experience while the story building is fairly intelligent, but I couldn't help but notice that the action quotient during these scenes was not the precise. A lot goes on in terms of story, but at the same time the general development of it all can come off as being rather slow when all things are considered. So ultimately, Kingsman: The Secret Service can be rather slow at times.

There is actually an intelligent story in Kingsman: The Secret Service which crosses over with some of the ridiculous gags to be even funnier. There are themes of class and identity in contemporary English society as well as strong characters. The film is funny, and it is dramatic. Yet above all, it is very fun. A lot of this is owed to Matthew Vaughn's keen eye for imagery which works to ensure that the film is a magnificent spectacle. Having proven his talent for stylish direction on low-budget films like Layer Cake (2004) and blockbusters such as X-Men: First Class (2011), the man is consistent with creating a strong visual experience. Kingsman: The Secret Service is no exception. Though the film is not always packed with action, the scenery is always packed with colour and captured with perfectly atmospheric cinematography which grasps the beauty of its locations during some moments while focusing on the expressions of the actors at others. The greatest imagery the film offers are the action scenes thanks to Matthew Vaughn filling the movie with stunts raging from shootouts to close combat and even skydiving, Kingsman: The Secret Service is full of versatile action scenes even if they are spread out quite a bit. What's truly impressive is that the action scenes are not jarred by shaky cinematography and an abundance of editing, rather they are focused on strong choreography which is all captured well. This is highlighted most of all in the fight scene that occurs in the church where everything occurs in what appears to be a single shot of continuous impressive choreography with a few small frames cut out to speed things up. This is the most impressive action moment in the film, one of many exhilarating moments which boost the credibility of this spy thriller.

And with all its spectacular stylish elements, Kingsman: The Secret Service does not neglect the importance of matching the narrative with a talented cast.

Colin Firth takes on a traditional status for his role as the sophisticated Harry Hart in Kingsman: The Secret Service before diverting it into a most unexpected and welcome action hero. The first few words Colin Firth says make repeated use of blatant swear words which is a sporadic notion throughout the film, clashing with his high class nature and creating an effective sense of humour. The thing about British comedy is that it is all about class, and so when an accomplished British actor casts themselves into a comedic role where they use such juvenile dialect the comedic effect is at its true maximum. Though he has no problem being a sophisticated dramatic talent, the surprise in Colin Firth's role in Kingsman: The Secret Service comes from the fact that he really works as a secret agent. He plays on his pre-established archetype with a taste for strong humourous work and the ability to put up a strong fight. During the action scenes, viewers see Colin Firth delivering the endeavour of his physical talents with remarkably fast punches and a relentless sense of aggression in him. Colin Firth is consistently an impressive actor in Kingsman: The Secret Service for so many reasons as he diverts expectations and shows a side to him that could not have been predicted before, proving that he really has the comic charisma and physical capabilities to work in both action and comedy on unpredictable levels.

Taron Egerton is a real treat in Kingsman: The Secret Service. What's intelligent about his effort is that he never caters to the stereotype on either end of the class spectrum, so he is never a pompus Englishman or a cockney pleb. Instead, he is just a well-meaning person who gets caught up between stereotypical notions of class as he remains determined to prove himself. Sharing a strong dramatic chemistry with Samantha Womack and a developing friendship with Colin Firth, Taron Egerton is easily able to develop the spirit of his character over the course of the narrative while also working with the humour and action demands of the film. The latter is particularly impressive, starting predominantly in a brief moment where he shows off an impressive series of parkour skills all in a single shot. He does this so fluently that his talent is hard to deny, and when he is called upon to pull the trigger on his gun or get into a fight he has no issues in doing so. Taron Egerton's energy and genuine dramatic spirit boasts a lot of talent in the rising star and shows his talents for character development, humour and action.

Samuel L. Jackson's attire of mixing stereotypical African-American streetwear with suits providing the backdrop to a villain with a lisp is a heavily ridiculous concept. The way that the story characterizes Richmond Balentine makes him a criminal mastermind yet not a strict antagonist since he has positive intentions from a certain point of view, making him a villain of specific interest. The character oscillates between criminal genius and general street punk with an intelligent grasp over all his intentions and a fearless attitude. It's a clever send-up of multiple roles portrayed by Samuel L. Jackson throughout his career and therefore he knows exactly what to do with the part, effectively bringing in the charms he has spent years establishing and using them to a ridiculous level of comic relief which is fairly effective throughout the film.

I took specific note to Mark Hamill's presence right away. Though the man has done little outside of the Star Wars universe it is just wonderful that director Matthew Vaughn appreciates him enough to give him a small role in a big-budget mainstream film. His role makes him have to deliver a British accent, and he deepens his voice to the point that it sounds almost like his rendition of The Joker which therefore gives him a chance to cater to his fanbase in the voice acting market. Mark Hamill's small appearance is there solely for the fans, and it was enough to leave me smiling.

Sofia Boutella doesn't face much of an acting challenge in Kingsman: The Secret Service, but with her impressive physical talents and energy she gleefully puts up a strong fight as one of the story's central antagonists. And no mainstream British-themed film is complete without an appearance by Michael Caine. I thought that with such a high-profile diverse cast they might not remember to cast him, but I was wrong. And as a result, he is merely the cherry on top of the entire experience.

So Kingsman: The Secret Service has a lot of narrative ground to cover and may not have as much action as it could, but with Matthew Vaughn's strong sense of style and a cast that brings brilliance to the action and the comedy, it succeeds as a refreshing take on the spy thriller genre.