Movie Breakdown: Kingsman: The Secret Service

People are doing traditional-style reviews all over the web, so we decided to try something different.  In each “breakdown” we’ll take a look at what a film’s marketing led us to believe, how the movie actually played, and then what we learned from it all.  Read on!

The Impression:

I have faith in the halfheartedly marketed Kingsman: The Secret Service solely because of Matthew Vaughn.  He’s a fantastic writer/director who has yet to put out a bad film.  Also, he bailed on X-Men: Days Of Future Past for Kingsman, and I doubt he did it just for funsies.

The Reality:

I recently came across a comment from Daniel Craig where he noted that the Austin Powers Trilogy “fucked” everyone’s ability to do campy spy movies, and that’s why his Bond entries have all been so serious.  I guess that’s true.  When I think of spy flicks that have come out in the last decade or so (Goldmember was in 2002), I immediately picture Jason Bourne, Craig’s Bond and other dark, action heavy films.  Hell, even Taken, which I think most find to a be a sort of throwback to the days of bad-but-in-a-good-way spy-centric movies, is only humorous because it’s too serious.  So where’s all the fun?  Not dead, I don’t believe, but definitely buried.  Or, at least it was buried until Kingsman: The Secret Service arrived.

Matthew Vaughn’s latest film is a whirlwind of good times.  There’s not a lot in it that hasn’t been done before (a secret organization uses cool gadgets and sexy agents in an effort to stop an over the top villain’s devious plot), but even with just the status quo to play with, Vaughn’s clear enthusiasm for the material makes the movie feel like a breath of fresh air.  I really loved Kingsman: The Secret Service, and I advise that you see it first thing this weekend.

Two final notes. 1) Watching Colin Firth stylishly kill people is a delight.  2) The success of the Guardians of the Galaxy soundtrack is starting to prove influential. There’s classic hits all over Kingsman.

The Lesson:

Matthew Vaughn is a giver of life.