Written by: Jane Goldman
Starring: Colin Firth, Samuel L. Jackson, Mark Strong, Taron Egerton, Michael Caine
Rating: [4/5]
Everyone carries some level of potential they can strive to achieve, with different ceilings dependent on many factors. However, not everyone has the support to properly show them the way of capitalizing on it. Sometimes it just takes that one person that can completely change the script of someone’s life and alter the trajectory, as seen in Kingsman: The Secret Service as our protagonist gets the opportunity to prove himself against all odds.
Engaging in petty crime for a living, Eggsy (Taron Egerton) gets bailed out of prison by Harry (Colin Firth) who shows him the Kingsman organization he could potentially join. Going through the trials, Eggsy tries to prove himself to ascend to the open position, while Harry heads out on a mission to find out why some people mysteriously have chips implanted in their heads.
When the term comic book movie get uttered, the average person will most likely equate it to superheroes with capes and powers but that only captures a portion of what exists within this medium of storytelling. It allows films like Kingsman: The Secret Service to stand out in presenting these fantastical stories but this particular film carries a specific edge. This narrative has no interest in casting a wide net with its story but presents something quite gratuitous and it makes for a wildly entertaining film that has flaws but plenty of fun to experience.
As we navigate this story, it centers on two plot lines where Eggsy tries to navigate the rigorous trials ahead of him in competition with others to join this elite group of Kingsmen and with Harry going on an investigative hunt. Eggsy inherently carries more intrigue because we can see the grueling standards set to join this order along with the class politics that go on. England has a running class–based social hierarchy dependent on region and upbringing, which makes the rough Eggsy stick out compared to the others who have certainly come from a different and more privileged families. Seeing how they treat Eggsy says plenty because they really do not have any other reasons other than knowing his class through his demeanor and approach. The life lessons he has learned has prepared him to have a distinct edge, making the potential of him stepping into this organization quite different from anyone else already within the ranks.
What ultimately makes this film stand out is its use of hyper stylized violence that perhaps goes beyond the pale on occasion. A particular scene within a church involved with Harry really demonstrates this prevalence of unfiltered bloodshed that appears quite fun in the moment but then really proves a bit distasteful when looking at it with more perspective. With it being over the top, it dulls this feeling a bit but this extreme approach defines what makes this film stand out. We have these gentlemen in their dapper suits saying pompous lines such as “Manners maketh man” before absolutely obliterating people in the funniest way. Such a swing in tones that some will love or hate and I sit firmly in the former category.
While not his acting debut, the role of Eggsy has launched Taron Egerton to prove himself as a worthwhile actor to follow, as with this lead role he brings the necessary humor and charisma to portray this character. As the audience surrogate, he helps introduce us to this world and all of the innate strangeness it has, as well as excitement. He has to have this chav nature to him while also almost presenting this young James Bond persona who will become this international suave spy. He gets joined by a great cast, which includes Colin Firth, Samuel L. Jackson, Mark Strong, Michael Caine, and Sofia Boutella with quite the deadly prosthetic. All of them have plenty of fun in their roles in matching both the innate silliness but also seriousness that comes with such a historic organization working within the shadows.
This feature displays Matthew Vaughn just continuing to impress with his filmmaking, as he jumps from different materials and makes the best versions of them. He made my favorite of the X-Men films with X-Men: First Class and something as whimsical as Stardust or as rugged as Layer Cake. The man knows how to capture violence and humor in such a stylish manner, and this serves as yet another example. He proved to be the perfect choice to bring this type of material to the big screen and he made it feel like quite the event.
So much to enjoy even if it goes overboard at times, Kingsman: The Secret Service does a splendid job in establishing this new world, its rules, and exactly how Eggsy fits into it. We get a strange villain with quite the plan he tries to execute but amongst a marketplace of comic book films that all merge together, this one stands out in how it presents its story in such an invigoratingly unique manner. So much to enjoy here and a success for all involved.
Films with Josh 
