Kingsman: The Secret Service (2014)
After decades of Bond films and Bond parodies, it seemed like the spy genre had run its course for the most part but in 2014 Kingsman: The Secret Service proved otherwise. Eggsy (Taron Egerton) is a young man growing up with a life full of crime and void of purpose. After an especially bad series of decisions lands Eggsy in jail, he is forced to call a mysterious number on a necklace left by his late father. This introduces Eggsy to Harry Hart (Colin Firth) and the Kingsman, a secret group of spies who often have to save the world. Eggsy begins to go through the process to join the Kingsman while an evil billionaire Richmond Valentine (Samuel L. Jackson) begins his master plan to mass murder near everyone on earth. It is up to the Kingsman to stop Valentine before it is too late.
When released, Kingsman: The Secret Service was a shockingly huge hit at the box office and especially on rewatches it becomes clear that the reason the film resonated with so many was simply how much fun it was. Especially when it comes to the performances featured in the film this movie is just so much fun with every character giving over the top fun performances without losing a level of craft and purpose. Samuel L. Jackson, for example, gives an overly charismatic and accent heavy performance but at no point is it lazy or just going through the motions. There are so many small aspects of his performance that make it a legitimately good comedic performance. More than anyone else though Taron Egerton is the one who steals the show. Where sadly his performance wasn't given a ton of attention when it first released as is the case with most performances from comedy films but the performance Egerton gives is so emotionally powerful at points. This truly is a great performance that especially on a rewatch stood out.
The script is also really well crafted. The biggest compliment one can give to a comedy film like this is that it is legitimately funny and clever which this film is both. There are so many great one-liners and the conflict is shockingly smart. Not only does the villain make sense but it is really creative and relevant to the time we live in. The film overall also just has a deeper conversation regarding purpose and class which could be seen as inspiring and motivating. This is not just a movie trying to go through the motions of being a Bond parody but rather one with real inspiration and purpose.
The script is also really well crafted. The biggest compliment one can give to a comedy film like this is that it is legitimately funny and clever which this film is both. There are so many great one-liners and the conflict is shockingly smart. Not only does the villain make sense but it is really creative and relevant to the time we live in. The film overall also just has a deeper conversation regarding purpose and class which could be seen as inspiring and motivating. This is not just a movie trying to go through the motions of being a Bond parody but rather one with real inspiration and purpose.
Sadly if there was one place where clearly the film couldn't reach its goals it would be with some of the visual effects and action scenes. Where the closing act of the film does have some great effects overall there is a sense of a lack of quality with the effects. There are multiple scenes with clear greenscreen that looks out of place. There are also a few action scenes where the film has to rely on quick cuts, handheld camerawork, and strange zoomed-in editing which really didn't work and was honestly headache-inducing. Still, these are only affecting part of the movie with other visual effects and action scenes looking really good. Plus with the style that this movie takes on almost bordering on parody at times, it also doesn't hurt the movie that much. Sure it stands out as lesser quality but it also kinda fits with the camp of this film and ended up not being that bad.
Kingsman: The Secret Service was a film I really enjoyed when it first came out but revisiting it especially after seeing a lot of the Bond films I also have come to respect the film quite a bit. Not only is the film entertaining and fun throughout but it also has deeper messages that make it meaningful and of purpose. This is really is a great film all around and is one I know I will continue to return to even if the sequels disappoint.
Kingsman: The Secret Service was a film I really enjoyed when it first came out but revisiting it especially after seeing a lot of the Bond films I also have come to respect the film quite a bit. Not only is the film entertaining and fun throughout but it also has deeper messages that make it meaningful and of purpose. This is really is a great film all around and is one I know I will continue to return to even if the sequels disappoint.