Not since Matthew Vaughn’s Kick-Ass has the super hero genre really had such a unique and fun experience brought to the theater. This time around, Kingsman brings a similar experience that will certainly keep James Bond on his toes.
[dropcap size=small]T[/dropcap]he plot of the film deviates quite a bit away from the comics, more so in fact than Vaughn/Millar’s earlier comic adaptation Kick-Ass. The good news is, regardless of whether you have read the comic or not, there is plenty here to love, and any major changes from Secret Service for the most part seemed to blend well with the big screen and what comic fans would have hoped for in a film adaptation.
For those unfamiliar with the source material, the film centers on Gary “Eggsy” Unwin, a troubled youth who more often than not finds himself on the wrong side of the law. Through a string of events having took place when he was a young boy, he manages to find himself forgiven by the law of his most recent yet serious criminal activities. As it turns out, Eggsy’s father was a member of “Kingsman”, a secret agency of gentlemen spies who have remained virtually hidden by nearly every government intelligence agency in the world. And after the events we see within the first few minutes of the movie, Harry Hart (Firth) saw fit to aid Eggsy and remove any current criminal troubles as a way to pay back a favor from his father.
After spending the afternoon with Harry, Eggsy is offered a chance to prove his life is not a complete waste and to put his skills and mind to the test by competing in a string of challenges against other youthful talented candidates who all are working to become the next member of the Kingsman Secret Service, all the while a criminal mastermind by the name of Valentine (Sam L Jackson) is working to put a dastardly devious plot into motion and eradicate the unnecessary portion of earth’s population.
“Oxfords not Brogues”
What I like most about Kingsman, is that it doesn’t take itself too seriously in the slightest, like so many spy films before. Though sometimes that works with films like Casino Royale and its sequels, sometimes the tension and seriousness of a film can be too much. And while there certainly are serious moments in Kingsman, they are constantly accompanied by clever British humor and action scenes the likes of which we as an audience have never seen before. Without spoiling it, there is an incredible fight scene in a church with Colin Firth’s character that will likely be talked about for quite some time.
All-in-all, Kingsman has been the most fun I have had at the theater this year so far. To be fair, there really has not been any movies released that have held my attention entirely, though we will get Furious 7 in April, and Age of Ultron just after in May. Keeping that in mind, there likely will not be another spy thriller quite like this in the coming years, let alone 2015. That is of course unless there is a sequel, which let’s be honest, is very likely after the movie made just over $30 million at the box office during the same weekend as 50 Shades.
A great cast, a fun story, and a wonderful adaptation of the source material certainly make Kingsman: The Secret Service my top pick for the movies from now until April when we see Paul Walker’s last appearance in the Fast franchise.
Kingsman: The Secret Service was penned by Jane Goldman and Matthew Vaughn, the latter of whom also directed the film based on Mark Millar’s Secret Service comic series. The film stars Taron Egerton, Colin Firth, Samuel L. Jackson, Mark Strong, and Michael Caine. It was released on February 13, 2015.
*Penile beads