Kingsman: The Secret Service - Cinema Review

I almost didn't see this film due to a pretty bland, cliched and tasteless marketing poster. I can thankfully say that is the worst thing about Kingsman and what actually lies beyond the advertising is quite well thought out and enjoyable. It's nothing mindblowing or groundbreaking but it wears its influences on its sleeve and feels like a tongue-in-cheek spy movie/James Bond homage whilst retaining enough style and gravity on its own to not turn into a full blown Austin Powers.

So what sticks out most from the trailers is Colin Firth taking on a working-class "chavvy" protege into his secret spy organisation. This had the potential to be incredibly cringeworthy and stereotypical and while i imagine many will debate its success in different class portrayal, i personally think it manages sufficiently. The two lead characters are well-written and performed with plenty of jibes slung at both the lower and upper class whilst also dipping into some much darker themes often associated with those of these social status. Then again, i'm a middle class, minimum wage, arts graduate so perhaps i don't know enough about either of these groups.

"Shaken or stirred blud?" "Well that's a grenade so i'd advise neither."

 Returning to the film's influences, there is certainly a self-awareness to the proceedings that boosts the comedy and credibility of events and dialogue. It never directly breaks the fourth wall but the characters are aware of their own stereotypes and emerging cliches which helps the audience relax and connect with them without making them seem smug (at least the ones not intended to be smug). This may feed into one of the main issues of the Kingsman however and that is the juggling of tones.

When the film juxtaposes its darker moments with comedy too suddenly it can be a little jarring and uncomfortable. The action scenes in their own right are exciting and intense with a flowing "long-take" style of cinematography that literally follows the action, conveys momentum and suits the film's comic book roots perfectly. It almost falls into the Batman Begins problem of being too close to the action to understand the logistics but just dodges this pitfall depending on your skill at those following shuffling cup games...

"You can stand in front of my umbr, ella, ella, ella, aim, aim, aim"

 The handling of the hyper-violence is quirky, cinematic and clearly meant to entertain rather than shock, something director Matthew Vaughn has become proficient at by this point. Its the other mature drama elements however, that do not sit as well. The most prominent of these personally was a scene near the end of the film where we switch between our protagonist exchanging quips and goofy expressions with a robotic blade-legged villain in a supervillain's underground bunker and a woman stabbing wildly through a door with a knife trying to reach and murder her defenceless child crying in its pram...

Occassionally mishandled tonal shifts aside there is little else to fault the film on. The plot is mostly cliched but admittedly very polished and alleviated by the aforementioned self-awareness. There are parallels to draw between Kingsman and Kickass as the film puts its own twist on tried and tested spy and action movie scenarios. There's some memorable and unique moments, some genuine laughs, engaging brutal action and thanks to a top-class cast, great acting all around with enough heart to remain invested in the core drama tying all the goof together. Nothing to set the world on fire but thoroughly enjoyable in all the right places.

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1. "These ballpoints serve as limitless untraceable credit cards."
"Sounds a bit moneypenny"
2. "If i become a spy do i still get disabled benefits? I've got a bad back y'see?"
"Well...does your doctor know?"
3. "Do you expect me to talk?"
"No, my boy i expect you to try."
4. "What's the most expensive thing here?"
"The watches. They have their own bodyguards."
"Alright but who watches the watchmen?"