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Typically, February is a month for sappy chick flicks and award season leftovers. But if you’re tired of the same old romance and drama, you’re in for a counter-programming treat from Matthew Vaughn’s Kingsman: The Secret Service, a quirky comic book spy thriller that’s guaranteed to catch you off-guard.
Kingsman: The Secret Service follows a street smart kid who’s given a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to do something great with his life. Ever since his father was killed on a secret mission 17 years ago, Eggsy (Taron Egerton) has lived a troubled life. And when his troublemaking gets him arrested, he’s forced to turn to his father’s former colleague for help. Little does he know that the man known as Galahad (Colin Firth) will offer him a chance to become a secret agent.
As Eggsy begins his training, Galahad and his colleagues are called out to investigate the disappearances of several celebrities and dignitaries, which seem to point back to Internet tycoon Valentine (Samuel L. Jackson).
Kick-Ass director Vaughn’s latest graphic novel adaptation is definitely full of surprises—from the outrageous comic book violence to the unexpected cast. From the first few scenes, characters are killed off in the most astonishingly over-the-top ways—and the action only becomes more astonishing and more over-the-top as the film builds to its shockingly, hilariously explosive conclusion.
Admittedly, though, since the film weaves two different storylines together, it takes a while for the action to build. At times, it feels longer and more drawn-out than necessary, with just a few high-energy fight sequences to keep things moving along as Eggsy continues his training and the agents try to figure out what, exactly, Valentine is up to.
Fortunately, the brilliant cast will keep audiences from checking out. Colin Firth definitely isn’t the typical action hero—which is why he’s perfect for the part. He isn’t a big, burly tough guy; he’s prim and proper and perfectly posh. He wears a tailored suit and polished oxfords. He carries an umbrella. And when it’s warranted, he can take down bad guys before they even realize what hit them.
Egerton, meanwhile, makes a comical young prospect. He’s anything but the typical Kingsman—which can, at times, be off-putting. He wears big white sneakers and oversized hats and gaudy jackets, and he talks like the tough street kid that he is. Yet there’s something about him that makes him a lovable recruit—and it also makes his transformation all the more satisfying.
Still, it’s Jackson’s Valentine who steals the spotlight. He’s every bit as gaudy as Eggsy, but he’s even quirkier and more outspoken. He’s an absolutely hysterical mix of Mike Tyson and Bill Gates—a flamboyant villain who makes the perfect adversary for the smooth, suave Kingsman agents.
With its extreme graphic novel action and its surprising cast, Kingsman: The Secret Service is a fun-filled adventure. It makes the perfect counter-programming for that other Valentine’s weekend release—and it’s an entertaining way to battle the winter blahs.
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