What a blast! When one has a script that's measured to the nanoscale to be just right & precise, you sure know it's going to entertain as hell if high octane, avant-garde actions are blended into it!
From the beginning, the writers and filmmakers have established the tone of the motion picture you're about to watch. Despite grenades being launched and lives being taken, the fallen down bricks animatedly forming texts were jocular. Via this, we were informed that it's going to be fun throughout with a taste of danger as well.
After a quick foundation of premise, the title card was placed. We see our protagonist, Eggsy (Taron Egerton) leading a pitiful life after his father's demise, in a tramped, enclosed house. As a result of the suppression, he's a troublemaker who misuses his talents. Although the part where he got into an issue with a bunch of crooks was quite sudden, therein came mentor Harry Hart, acted skillfully by Colin Firth, to give him the stairway to the new equilibrium. As a natural plot requirement, Eggsy joined what could change his life forever, The Kingsman Secret Service!
Now, the way this spy organization was designed is simply magnificent! Line of clothing as disguise was a brilliant concept! Of course, what is a spy film without the tools and technologies, right? Descending elevator, hologram projector glasses, code of conduct, suit and the whole set of weaponry were classy, stylish and more of all, authentic British-flavored! Explanations for these equipment did not come into the screen to waste your time for a techy chit-chat. Every of these scenes were written with purpose.
One of the best sequences in Kingsman: The Secret Service would be its selection process. Described as the most dangerous interview in the world, the idea of a spy academy training and tests was refreshing! Absence of parachute and train deception were intense. But, what was more nerve-wrecking than the rest would be the escape in a bedroom filled with water! The way Eggsy jabs through the 2-way mirror with ticking clock beats in correlation was a great, great construction of scene! Resultant death was shocking! The exact same can be said about the 'shoot the puppy' scene; tension to the max!
Actions in this film were just marvelous! Writer-director Matthew Vaughn has taken a one-of-a kind approach in executing the stunt sequences, formed using near perfect mixture of camera navigations, choreography and CGI. While most of the episodes were well done, like the final battle between Eggsy and blade-legged lady or the hallway escape, the most memorable portion of the entire movie would be the insanely sweet South Glade Church massacre section! It's brutal, funny, heavy and riveting; all at the same time!
Richmond Valentine could go down as one of the best roles Samuel L. Jackson has picked up in his career. This guy was highly interesting! He's not your everyday antagonist who goes around saying he wants to kill people for fun, no. The best villains are the ones who believe their values are correct and they are on the right side of the line. Because be it antagonist or protagonist, they are ultimately characters. Characters have weakness, need and desire. And Richmond Valentine had all of that to make one fine formidable baddie! He's a mastermind who believes he has the conclusive solution to global warming, an aftereffect of overpopulation. By devising a small plan, he's near to completing his goals by saving the selected and eliminating the neglected. Essentially, he's the modern day Noah. On the quirky side, he can't afford to see blood or violence. To add more to the texture, he has lisp. These contrasts made the character colorful!
The screenplay was just like the protagonist! Playful, witty and naughty. Unexpected reverse police car chase and Eggsy grabbing a wine to get laid at the resolution were uproarious! As much as one could anticipate what would happen next, the writer-duo toyed with those regular expectations to feast us with brand new scenes, like puppy adoption as module of training and heads bursting into colorful smoke balloons at the climax. But, the story meant serious business too when it did. For example, hero failing to be a Kingsman was genuinely impactful. Mother nearing to kill her own child out of influence and Eggsy cornered in the tightest space for maximum effect of compression during battle were truly acute in tension!
Dialogues were nice, with even expositional ones dealt with care to not sound too jarring. Soundtracks and song choices were bang on. One prominent flaw that's easily spotted was the fast-forward technique used during clips like personas falling down from sky, Valentine stabbed from the back and train travel. Facial reactions by some of the side actors involved with the actions can be campy sometimes.
However, certain plot events didn't make sense. There weren't any serious quest or legal actions shown from the higher authorities in finding the missing world leaders, celebrities and dignitaries. Eggsy has been gone for a long time to a point where the infant has grown up, but all the mother had to ask him was where he has been all this while. Was she even actively searching for him or what? The Kingsman headquarters was humongous, but why did it house only a few occupants? Where're the other agents? Roxy (Sophie Cookson) floating off to touch the horizon of atmosphere was tacky.
"Manners maketh man."