Review: Kingsman: The Secret Service (2015)

Around Christmas time in 2014, the cinemas were shoving trailers for Kingsman: The Secret Service down our throats, and although it looked pretty funny, I had no intentions to see it in the cinema, because it was a film for High School kids. Then, in the new year, some of my friends saw it and wouldn’t stop raving about it, and once I read into some reviews I realised. This is possibly the most mis-marketed film in history.  Whereas I saw the trailer an knew immediately that I had to see it (this probably says a lot about my mental age!!)

Kingsman is a secret spy organisation ran by true gentlemen. When disaster strikes and the service loses a key member, a group of new recruits are chosen to be put to the test. One of these new recruits is foul mouthed, street-smart Eggsy (Taron Egerton), who despite his upbringing, is a good lad and simply wants to do what’s best. Harry Hart (Colin Firth) mentors Eggsy in the hope he makes the cut, while the world in under threat by the film’s villain, Valentine (Samuel L Jackson).

I didn’t realise how crazy the plot actually was until I sat down and finally watched the film last night. Think Hot Fuzz meets James Bond, that’s the best kind of comparison I feel I can make. This is absolutely not a kid’s film. It’s age 15 restriction, bad language and violence puts it firmly in the adult category, but fun-loving adults only. Don’t expect a serious, realistic plot from this, because it’s just not that kind of film.

Despite my hatred of ‘chav’ characters, I really warmed to Eggsy right from the outset and found him highly likeable. It was the posh jerks training with him that really wound me up. The whole cast did a really good job though, I thought, especially Samuel L Jackson as the bad guy, with his eccentric clothing and lisp.

The action was awesome and the CGI elements would have been brilliant on the big screen. The scene with Harry fighting in the church was a great example of this. This will probably give the wrong impression now but my fiance and I laughed out loud during that scene. It was just so intense, and so crazy, but done so very well. That was a scene without many fancy Kingsman gadgets too.  Me and Lou were laughing in the cinema too so you're not completely bonkers ;-)

This was a great 'impression' of a classic spy movie that almost takes the piss out of itself.  I fully agree with Allie that Eggsy is a truly likable character (although the nickname sounds more like the actors nickname that the characters, just me?!) and you are willing him to succeed.  Colin Firth is brilliant as Harry and the months of training that he went through for the role is apparent, I can't imagine anyone doing a better job.

My only niggle (and that is all it is) is that I found Samuel L Jackson's character really irritating, I am aware that he was meant to be completely over the top as with everything in the movie but he just grated on me somewhat - I'm sure many will disagree with me!!

The story is completely far fetched, the gadgets ridiculous and the one-liners hilarious, everything required for a highly entertaining two hours. 

Kingsman: The Secret Service is just an all-round brilliant film, and I can’t recommend it highly enough. It’s so easy to watch, and would be just as perfect with a group of friends on a Friday night just as much as watching it in bed on a lazy Sunday morning.

This is definitely a re-watcher for me, in fact I've already seen it 3 times since the cinema ;-)

Looking Forward to Seeing in the Cinema this Month...January

Happy New Year, everyone! It feels really odd to type this...as I'm trying to be super-efficient and it's not even Christmas yet. But I'm already trying to plan my cinema trips for the New Year, and with Orange Wednesday's impending demise, going to the cinema is about to get expensive. Although, I've heard that Compare the Market is in talks with the aim of picking up the deal, so maybe we'll have Meerkat Mondays? Apologies to anyone overseas who has no idea what I'm talking about.

Enough blabbering, and back to the point. There are so many films coming out in January, and so many that I'm really looking forward to. A good few which already came out in the USA too, like Birdman and Foxcatcher. I can't wait to see them, don't get me wrong, but I am most looking forward to this:

Yep, Into the Woods. I'm fairly sure the rest of the world will get to see this before we do. It's coming out in Kazakhstan before the UK according to IMDB! Sigh. Anyway, I only learnt recently, with an updated trailer, that Into the Woods is a musical! I'm so dense sometimes. I got excited for this months ago, and no, it wasn't just Chris Pine as Prince Charming that did it for me, although it certainly helps. I'm a sucker for Disney, and so I'm hoping this won't disappoint. Here's the trailer if you haven't seen it yet:

Into the Woods is released in the UK on Friday, 9th January, 2015.

  

HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE!!!! (FYI as I write this it is actually 16th December!! ha!).  Thinking about January already, where has the year gone!

Anyway, back to it, what am I looking forward to this month.  Well I was looking forward to this last year but it was delayed so hopefully that won't happen again. Kingsman: The Secret Service.

However, I have just looked it up on IMDB and it is now saying 12th February - but screw it I'm going to be daring and leave this where it is (who knows what I'm going to do in February now!!)  If you haven't seen the trailer yet, here is is:

Kingsman: The Secret Service is released in the UK on Thursday, 12th February 2015 (oops!).



I feel the need to add another honorable mention here after a telling off from Jenna for not giving a certain actor's upcoming film a mention. I only missed it out because I know the die-hard critics out there would scoff at me! I am however, extremely excited to see Liam Neeson in Taken 3, even though it will be Liam Neeson playing Liam Neeson and will be slated by critics everywhere. So there!