Review: Kingsman: The Secret Service (2015)

I found out the night before seeing this film that I had won tickets to a premiere screening. What a delight that was, as this is definitely a film I was wanting to check out upon release. Was I disappointed? Hell no.

Colin Firth stars as a member of a secret society of spies, known as the Kingsman. These guys report to no one, so have the added benefit of no political angle. They're secret peacekeepers. They get no glory, just the satisfaction of having done good. After the loss of one of their own, they have to recruit another. Firth's candidate is a young and brash, almost hoodlum type. He's not had the best of lives, but, for reasons you will see, Firth owes it to him to help out.

The recruits are in training, whilst technology genius Samuel L Jackson is plotting an evil plan to 'help' the world. It's simple plotting, but the execution is great. Director Matthew Vaughn (Kick Ass, X-Men: First Class) has constructed an intelligent, witty, funny, balls-to-the-wall action-spy-comedy that will knock your socks off. It is hell violent, and is definitely not for the stuck up types. You got to have a sense of humour with this one, otherwise you're not going to enjoy it. 

If you've seen Kick-Ass, then you know what to expect. He's taken the violence and comedy of that and melded it with some of the style and class of X-Men: First Class to create a truly enjoyable film. Firth is just amazing. He's perfecto as the super spy that is cool and suave, and violent when necessary. The young recruit of his is newcomer Taron Egerton. He does a great job of matching it with Firth, and shows some good promise as an actor. Mark Strong and Michael Caine play support roles, and both are as you would expect - excellent. Jackson as a super villain - great stuff.

I sat in giddy wonder as the events unfolded on screen. I think the ending was perhaps a bit overboard, but it is a minor complaint. I enjoyed the nods to the James Bond series. This is not trying to emulate it or even make too much fun of it, but it merely wants to join the party as a great spy series. It certainly has the makings, and there is always room for cool spy flicks.

Rating:

4 out of 5.