Kingsman- The Secret Service Review- A New Kind of Spy for 2015

Review by Nolan P. Smith

(Apple Valley)—When it comes to the world of films, we are enthralled with the spies. Especially spies fighting for the greater good; James Bond is, of course, the most well known on the silver screen. With Kingsman- The Secret Service, we are once again thrown into a world of espionage and world domination- does this movie steal our interest, or is it better to leave it in the dark?

Based on the Marvel Comics title, The Secret Service by Mark Millar, and directed by Matthew Vaughn (Kick-Ass, X-Men-First Class), the story is about the Kingsman, a super secret organization tasked with protecting the world while utilizing the utmost level of secrecy. Galahad (Colin Firth) is one of the long-standing Kingsman, and takes it upon himself to help out the son of a fallen colleague, Eggsy (Taron Egerton). A troubled young lad, Eggsy is wasting away in a go-nowhere life until Galahad shows him the world of the Kingsman. The villain of story, Valentine (Samuel L. Jackson), is a multi billionaire bent on making the world a better place, even if it means getting rid of a massive amount of the population. Valentine’s right hand woman, Gazelle (Sofia Boutella), steals much of the show as the blade running murder/ muscle of the film.

The story introduces a smooth, slick world of sharp dressed spies with King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table inspired names. It’s a fresh new take on the spy genre- one that I was extremely happy to bear witness to. The action scenes are top notch, as we see Galahan and Eggsy dispatch the enemy with such finesse, such style, and yet, such brutality. I should note that this film isn’t for the faint of heart- there’s blood and death sprinkled throughout the film.

By the end of it, I felt like I witnessed a new generation for the spy genre. Yes, it borrows from the mythos known in the genre such as the suit wearing hero, the limitless gadgets and the mind behind them (Merlin- played by Mark Strong), and the impossible made possible. I highly recommend checking out this film- it’s a plethora of action, intensity and espionage. I give Kingsman- The Secret Service a @@@@ out of FIVE.