Writer/Director: Matthew Vaughn
Starring: Samuel L. Jackson, Taron Edgerton and Michael Caine
‘A Captivating Classic’
Not many actors have achieved praise of Samuel L. Jackson. Ever since his rise to praise in the 1990’s, Jackson has become a beloved icon. Whether it is cruel gangsters, slave owners or political leaders, Jackson has portrayed many strong characters. Arguably, Jackson’s strength as an actor has always been his strong commitment to his craft. He is one of those rare actors that has always had a talent for stealing the show in supportive roles which have limited screen-time. Even if he isn’t the main focus of a movie, Jackson has always left a strong impression. An actor with commitment to his craft, Jackson has become a beloved icon in modern-day entertainment. Throughout a lasting career, Jackson has made several movies that are worth talking about without a doubt.
I’m a huge fan of Jackson and adore all the movies he has made in his career. However, “Kingsman: the Secret Service” is definitely his most underrated work. Released back in 2014, Matthew Vaughn’s movie offered an intimate portrait of spies. Packed with bold production, strong storytelling and engaging acting, it’s a spectacular spies blockbuster. At the centre of it all is an extraordinary performance by Samuel L. Jackson, playing a villainous agent upon a mission. Although “Kingsman: the Secret Service” is a riveting spies blockbuster, it isn’t a flawless movie. It is poorly paced, lacking entertainment value of the best spy films. Nevertheless, it offers riveting entertainment that will satisfy fans of the spy genre.
“Kingsman: the Secret Service” tells a story of a secret spies service. Taron Edgerton portrays Eggsy, a smart street kid that has a habit of getting in trouble. Eggsy has always shown an interest in the lives of spies which he founds fascinating. However, Eggsy’s life drastically changes when he is recruited by a secret spies corporation causing disaster. Recruited by the celebrated spy Harry Hart (Colin Firth), Eggsy is faced with a mission that involves great worth. Faced with spies, Eggsy questions whether he would ever be able to succeed in a tough profession where tensions arise. As all the odds soon become stacked against his favour, Eggsy wonders whether he can survive in a corporation that involves pressure.
Matthew Vaughn has often been fascinated with secret spies organizations. A fantastic filmmaker, Vaughn has often made riveting movies about spies which face disaster. His iconic movie “Layer Cake” offered a strong portrait of drug addicts that face feelings of bold heartache. With “Kingsman: the Secret Service”, however, Vaughn created his first ever spies blockbuster. It was the director’s first attempt to capture spies which endure adversities but he succeeded tremendously. Using captivating cinematography, Vaughn captures a spy embarking on a dire journey. Evoking Martin Campbell’s “Casino Royale”, Vaughn expertly uses montages to convey tensions that spies are facing. For instance, montages elevate the organization meeting scene. During this memorable scene, Eggsy is introduced to the spies organization that he regards with affection. Using montages, Vaughn creates a portrait of spies which is compelling. Montages are tricky techniques. As Quentin Tarantino’s “Pulp Fiction” proved clearly, montages elevate crime films. That being said, it works immensely. Using strong visuals, Vaughn captures tensions spies are facing.
Another admirable aspect of “Kingsman: the Secret Service” that merits praise is production. From a technical perspective, it’s one of the best spies films ever made. Inspired with Alfred Hitchcock’s “North by Northwest”, Vaughn successfully employs costumes to capture hardships faced by spies which are stressed. Throughout the movie, Eggsy’s costumes demonstrate his transformation into a spy. For instance, the costumes enhance the spies battles scene. During this unforgettable scene, Eggsy has a tense battle with spies that causes him to face tensions. Using captivating costumes, Vaughn creates a portrait of spies which is compelling. Moreover, the musical score is magnificent. Henry Jackman’s music is key to the success of the movie. It gives the film a tense atmosphere capturing the burdens spies bear. Using breathtaking production, Vaughn captures spies that embark upon a mission.
Storytelling is one of the main reasons why “Kingsman: the Secret Service” is a spies film that’s engaging. The film is beautifully written, and effectively uses monologues to capture hardships spies are facing. Inspired with Brian De Palma’s “Mission: Impossible”, Vaughn deftly uses monologues to capture spies embarking on missions which prove to be impossible. For instance, monologues elevate the spies speech scene. During this unforgettable scene, Eggsy gives a speech about being a spy causing tension. Through compelling monologues, Vaughn creates a portrait of spies that audiences can easily relate to. Dramatic monologues are tricky techniques to employ in movies. As Quentin Tarantino’s “Django Unchained” suggested, monologues enhance movies about slavery. Nevertheless, it works immensely in this film. Through a spectacular screenplay, Vaughn captures spies that face a painful price to pay.
One appreciates amazing performances.
Samuel L. Jackson delivers one of his best career performances as Valentine. Jackson earned appreciation for playing gangsters in crime dramas. With “Kingsman: the Secret Service”, however, Jackson took on his most villainous role. It isn’t easy to portray an evil agent that faces adversity but he succeeds tremendously. This is the actor unlike you’ve ever seen him before: intense, charismatic and emotional in his most complex role. It’s a phenomenal performance from one of the most commemorated actors working in the industry today.
While the movie is mainly a showcase for Samuel L. Jackson, the supporting cast is amazing and worthy of recognition. Colin Firth is fantastic, capturing a heroic nature of a spy embarking on a secret mission to solve situations that are catastrophic. Taron Edgerton is excellent, capturing dedication of a young agent on a mission that involves an immense amount of tension. Lastly, Mark Strong merits appreciation. As a legendary spy, he is unforgettable.
Although “Kingsman: the Secret Service” is a spectacular spies blockbuster, it isn’t a flawless film. If there’s a shortcoming to the movie, it lacks engaging pacing. Vaughn’s decisions to integrate subplots about spies politics into the movie is commendable but hinders pacing. Due to this faulty technique, scenes capturing the political affair of spies aren’t as engrossing as Eggsy’s journeys to discover identity. Moreover, the film lacks a compelling ending. It’s a cliffhanger ending that lacks a satisfying resolution. Therefore, “Kingsman: the Secret Service” can’t quite capture tensions faced by spies in a secret service.
Nevertheless, fans of Samuel L. Jackson will definitely appreciate “Kingsman: the Secret Service” and so would audiences that seek exhilarating entertainment. A breathtaking spies blockbuster, it honours an iconic actor.
Nearly a decade following the release of a groundbreaking movie about spies facing tension in a secret service organization, it’s a riveting reminder of an actor with strong dedication to his craft that has made iconic films throughout an impressive career that are absolutely without a doubt deserving of appreciation.
4/5 stars
The Film Buff 