Review: Kingsman: The Secret Service

DIRECTOR:  Matthew Vaughn
STARRING: Colin Firth, Samuel L Jackson, Taron Egerton, Sofia Boutella, Sophie Cookson, Mark Strong, Mark Hamill and Michael Caine

PLOT: After getting arrested for stealing his step-dad's car, Eggsy Unwin (Egerton) is recruited by gentleman spy Harry Hart (Firth) to join the ranks of the Kingsman, a secret service attempting to find and thwart the plans of the villainous Richmond Valentine (Jackson)

This sweary, ballsy new action comedy from writer partners Jane Goldman and Matthew Vaughn (Stardust, Kick-Ass, X-Men: First Class) is leaps and bounds above their more mainstream fair. Showing, once again, that let of the leash Vaughn and Goldman can create something far beyond just popcorn block busting. Doing for the Roger Moore/Michael Caine era spy movies what Kick-Ass did for the Spider-man mythos, Vaughn and Goldman find themselves on much surer ground.

If X-Men: First Class proves anything, it's that given two renegades who race old bangers, the keys of a Rolls Royce is a bad idea. Obviously, the corporate machine leant on them slightly meaning the weirdness and style they do so well was unable to seep through into a big blockbuster. But given the fifteen rating, and the freedom, they craft a film that will go into the Kick-ass, Hot Fuzz and Scott Pilgrim ranks of brilliance.

In the role of Eggsy, Taron Egerton handles himself well, showing a Jack O'Connell level of street smarts and cockney charm, but also able to deliver the heartthrob abs and action when it's needed. His performance is more than a half baked, Cook from Skins knock-off but a full rounded character with depth, love and compassion. Scenes showing his broiling anger over the blatant abuse of his mother, by the hands of his step-father is powerful acting, while his smug street smarts add a Roger Moore-esc charm. It might also be a factor that along with Egerton are two brilliant supporting female roles from relative newcomers. As Roxy, Sophie Cookson makes a star of herself, demanding she be seen and counted and every scene with her is a gem. As Gazelle, Sofia Boutella is also fantastic, assuming the role of Oddjob style henchman with metal legs, she brings a much needed danger to the film.

As for the more established actors in the film, Hamill has fun in a small role showing he is more than just Luke Skywalker and The Joker. While Michael Caine enjoys a turn playing up his Harry Palmer status, it's a welcome addition that lets us know the film loves the spy genre, even while it lampoons it. Mark Strong is brilliant as Merlin, the Q of the film, with his scottish accent, bringing a wry wit that belongs so firmly in the spy films. But for screen big wigs, Firth and Jackson this is all in a days work. Firth plays up the stiff-upper-lip brit role he's played for so long as a man who takes a pint just as well he does fisty-cuffs. His one man army assault on a church makes for brilliant action. While Jackson has a ball as over the top villain, Richmond Valentine. All lisp and snap backs, Jackson plays down the angry man role he is known for, opting for a more subdued, and more comedic role. It's a breath of fresh air to see Jackson do something a little different from Nick Fury.

The film is clearly the start of a franchise, and if so, I cannot wait to see the next one. It's a rollercoaster ride that I would happily take a second time. If the action is a little too graphic for some, then the heart of the film may win them over, but the film exists entirely in the world of hyper real comic book violence. This film is a brilliant introduction of the Eggsy and Roxy character, and hopefully the next films will see them progress.

If there is a criticism, and there is, then it would be the annoying treatment of women. While Gazelle and Roxy are brilliant female characters, a joke at the end regarding a princess, is vastly offensive, and of course there are too few women in the film.

Still, the film is a violent, sweary celebration of a very British film tradition, and a winning combination of action and comedy. If this is what Vaughn does when he's not in the stranglehold of a proper franchise, well I cannot wait for part two. I just hope he does actually direct the next one, to save us from another Kick-Ass 2.