A Crazy and Fun Ride: Kingsman: The Secret Service Review

(Photo from: www.imdb.com)

I can say without a shadow of a doubt that Kingsman: The Secret Service was the most fun I've had watching a movie in YEARS.

I went in this movie not knowing anything about it. Just an assurance from my sister that it was good. I did not know who was starring in it, what the premise is, or who directed it. Nothing at all. And maybe that absence of knowledge helped me really enjoy this movie for what it is.

Kingsman has a simple premise. It's about a boy training to be a part of an underground spy agency while a villain is going about trying to make his evil plan work which will ultimately lead to a destroyed world. We have all seen that premise a million times before. This should have been a cliche film but the director, Matthew Vaughn, knew this and added his own spin. The film didn't take itself too seriously like what other spy films do these days. It's funny and self-aware. It pokes fun at the fact that their situations are just like the old James Bond films. And because it didn't take itself too seriously, it had the freedom to do anything it wanted. It could be ridiculous and over-the-top all it wanted but it won't hit the movie in a bad way and my God did they did not hold back.

They went all out. There were flying teeth, severed limbs, and exploding heads. It was absolutely chaotic when fight scenes were involved but still had a sort of charm about it that doesn't turn off the audience. I never thought I would ever be okay with "shaky cam" in movies but in this one it actually worked. It followed the action well-enough and it actually made sense why they were using it. It should not have worked but it did. Since the story itself was simple enough, it can afford all that time spent being insane.

The simple story had some twist and turns that I did not expect especially by the end which made the experience watching it so much better. The twist and turns as well as the over-the-top sequences were not the only factors that elevated the story. The characters played a big part as well. Eggsy Urwin, played by Taron Egerton, was a relatable as well as likable character. I think what made him this way was how the actor portrayed him himself. It would have been so easy to turn Eggsy into a severely arrogant and obnoxious character but Egerton managed to strike a balance. Harry Hart, played by Colin Firth, may not be as relatable as Eggsy but he was just as likable. Maybe even more so in the beginning. They had terrific chemistry. They're relationship, a hybrid of father/son and master/apprentice, carried the movie. Valentine, played by Samuel L. Jackson, was good. His whole character was a throwback to the old James Bond villains as well as his associate, Gazelle. The character Merlin, played by Mark Strong, was an excellent supporting character as well as Sophie and Charlie. Love them or hate them, they played a specific role that added more to the film.

Overall, Kingsman: The Secret Service was an exhilarating and insanely fun movie filled with likable characters. In a time where "dark and gritty" films are abundant, this is exactly the type of movie that we need. It's a reminder that being light and fun can be badass, cool, and good too. You don't need to aim for that "dark and gritty" genre if you want to be a success.

Kingsman: The Golden Circle will be released soon. If this film is any indicator, I'm sure Matthew Vaughn will knock the sequel out of the park

8.5/10 stars