Do they still make James Bond spoofs in 2015? Yes, they do - and the good news is that 'Kingsman: The Secret Service' is full of all the delirious old school thrills and silliness that the Bond franchise will no longer go near. Unfortunately it is also politically and morally suspect and far too crude, too violent and too stupid for its own good. It's the show off, trouble-making kid in class. Amusing, but only for so long. I enjoyed it but couldn't really relax into enjoying it.
There's a scene at one point where Samuel L. Jackson's evil villain serves Colin Firth's James Bond/Harry Palmer hybrid a Big Mac on a silver platter. That sums up what this film is: a Big Mac. Tasty at the time but instantly disposable, strangely unsatisfying and prone to leaving you feeling dirty and ashamed of yourself afterwards.
By now you've probably heard about that "problematic" scene towards the end where a kidnapped princess offers to let our hero take her up the arse in return for rescuing her. It's not the only thing in the film that jars. There is a military assault scored to incongruous music (Dire Straits' 'Money For Nothing' ffs), a prolonged and somewhat sickening bloodbath in a church and the dodgiest of 'Pygmalion' subtexts: stick a suit on a chav and make him a man. It's an ASBO of a movie; a 16 year old's wet dream. Worse still, if this movie was a political party it would be UKIP: posh chaps in tailored suits, like a pint, save the world from an evil environmentalist (foreign, unmannered and black) and his conspiracy of self interested politicians. Thank goodness for these outsiders who have our best interests at heart, a firm patriarchal sense of order and who can rally the underclass youth to do their dirty work for them. It's a consumerist, conservative claptrap fantasy. But that's okay because it's all tongue in cheek isn't it?
The trouble with the Matthew Vaughn/Mark Millar/Jane Goldman team is that they just don't know where to draw the line. But then, I hated 'Kick Ass' from these same people and most folk love that movie - so I guess it's me that's out of step. If you enjoyed 'Kick Ass' you will fucking love this movie. If you are a teenage boy you will love this movie. If you think 'Moonraker' is the pinnacle of the Bond franchise then you will love this movie. If you like sickening levels of ultra-violence dropped nonchalantly into what is basically a Johnny English/Austin Powers movie then this will probably become your all time favourite film. If you can root for a hero called 'Eggsy' than this one is for you.
For me it's the cast that saves the whole thing from falling apart. Colin Firth's commitment to his role lends this some gravitas and it is clear that he is enjoying himself. Michael Caine delivers his best line in years. Samuel L. Jackson is on autopilot, gives his character an irritating lisp and yet still manages to be wonderful to watch.
I'm not sure about Taron Eggerton. I thought he was a little bit too stage school to pass as a convincing troublemaker but he does a good job with the role. It's a terrible character though. You'd think the point of this film would be to show that he makes a better spy than the toffs because of his background, his street smarts and determination. But no, he is basically chosen because of who is father was, seems as able as his competition from the outset and learns nothing on the journey other than to mimic his mentor. He starts off as a chav and ends up as a chav in an expensive suit who really loves him mum. Wonderful.
Oh, and it has some terrible CGI too.
But....but...it is undeniably entertaining for the most part. I just couldn't quite switch off my brain enough to cope with the blundering misjudgements of tone. But it's better than 'Kick Ass', I'll give it that.
There's a scene at one point where Samuel L. Jackson's evil villain serves Colin Firth's James Bond/Harry Palmer hybrid a Big Mac on a silver platter. That sums up what this film is: a Big Mac. Tasty at the time but instantly disposable, strangely unsatisfying and prone to leaving you feeling dirty and ashamed of yourself afterwards.
By now you've probably heard about that "problematic" scene towards the end where a kidnapped princess offers to let our hero take her up the arse in return for rescuing her. It's not the only thing in the film that jars. There is a military assault scored to incongruous music (Dire Straits' 'Money For Nothing' ffs), a prolonged and somewhat sickening bloodbath in a church and the dodgiest of 'Pygmalion' subtexts: stick a suit on a chav and make him a man. It's an ASBO of a movie; a 16 year old's wet dream. Worse still, if this movie was a political party it would be UKIP: posh chaps in tailored suits, like a pint, save the world from an evil environmentalist (foreign, unmannered and black) and his conspiracy of self interested politicians. Thank goodness for these outsiders who have our best interests at heart, a firm patriarchal sense of order and who can rally the underclass youth to do their dirty work for them. It's a consumerist, conservative claptrap fantasy. But that's okay because it's all tongue in cheek isn't it?
The trouble with the Matthew Vaughn/Mark Millar/Jane Goldman team is that they just don't know where to draw the line. But then, I hated 'Kick Ass' from these same people and most folk love that movie - so I guess it's me that's out of step. If you enjoyed 'Kick Ass' you will fucking love this movie. If you are a teenage boy you will love this movie. If you think 'Moonraker' is the pinnacle of the Bond franchise then you will love this movie. If you like sickening levels of ultra-violence dropped nonchalantly into what is basically a Johnny English/Austin Powers movie then this will probably become your all time favourite film. If you can root for a hero called 'Eggsy' than this one is for you.
For me it's the cast that saves the whole thing from falling apart. Colin Firth's commitment to his role lends this some gravitas and it is clear that he is enjoying himself. Michael Caine delivers his best line in years. Samuel L. Jackson is on autopilot, gives his character an irritating lisp and yet still manages to be wonderful to watch.
I'm not sure about Taron Eggerton. I thought he was a little bit too stage school to pass as a convincing troublemaker but he does a good job with the role. It's a terrible character though. You'd think the point of this film would be to show that he makes a better spy than the toffs because of his background, his street smarts and determination. But no, he is basically chosen because of who is father was, seems as able as his competition from the outset and learns nothing on the journey other than to mimic his mentor. He starts off as a chav and ends up as a chav in an expensive suit who really loves him mum. Wonderful.
Oh, and it has some terrible CGI too.
But....but...it is undeniably entertaining for the most part. I just couldn't quite switch off my brain enough to cope with the blundering misjudgements of tone. But it's better than 'Kick Ass', I'll give it that.
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