If “50 Shades of Grey” isn’t your cup of tea this Valentine’s weekend, then try “Kingsman: The Secret Service” (opening Feb. 13 in select San Diego theaters), a movie about some well-tailored British spies.
You don’t want to ruffle the feathers of English gentleman Harry Hart (Colin Firth). But of course some rough lads at an English pub do just that.
Hart still tries to be polite and advises, “Listen boys, I’ve had a rather emotional day so whatever your beef with Eggsy is, I’d appreciate it enormously if you could leave us in peace until I finish this lovely pint of Guinness.”
But they insist on pushing his buttons and to add insult to injury, they call him “Granddad.”
Hart, whose codename is Galahad, is part of a secret gentleman’s spy network and not only is he licensed to kill but he’s also quick to correct bad etiquette. And that means the ill-mannered youths accosting him are about to get their asses thoroughly kicked.
The scene also allows Hart the opportunity to contradict any misconceptions Eggsy (Taron Egerton) might have as well. Hart is trying to convince Eggsy to become a Kingsman. Eggsy’s dad had been one and had died saving the lives of his fellow Kingsmen, including Hart. Now Hart sees the young Eggsy as a difficult crossroads and thinks that becoming a Kingsman is just what the lad needs as well as being the right shot of adrenaline the aging organization needs.
“Kingsman” is loosely based on the comic book series “The Secret Service” by Mark Millar, who also wrote the comics “Wanted” and Kick-Ass.”
In the hands of Matthew Vaughn, the man who directed the film version of “Kick-Ass,” “Kingsman” tweaks the Bond formula with some polished style, dark humor, and well-groomed action. As with “Kick-Ass,” there’s an underlying nastiness and nihilism to the violence but also a wicked sense of fun. This can create some tonal dissonance for some people who find it difficult to laugh at violence one minute and then see a character they like killed in the next. The violence is over the top for the most part, and rapidly cut with a lot of CGI blood to keep it all at a safe distance.
But there are moments – rare but there – when the violence has an emotional impact… but then we movie on quickly.
Colin Firth has a field day as Galahad, a spy trying to mentor a new upstart knight into the elite brotherhood of Kingsman.
Audiences probably have him fixed in their minds as Mr. Darcy from “Pride and Prejudice” or more recently as the stuttering royal from “The King’s Speech.” That’s precisely what Vaughn is hoping as he lets Firth cuts loose and have some fun as the prim and proper man of action. Firth’s Galahad is British to the core but he’s also lethal with an umbrella. So seeing him take out a roomful of people is quite a delight.
As his young apprentice, Taron Egerton is also good but we expect him to do well in action scenes and running some parkour. He proves a nice foil for Firth’s Galahad.
Samuel Jackson also enjoys himself as the Bond-esque super villain with a lisp and an aversion to blood, while Sofia Boutella is deadly as Gazelle, his sharp-legged henchwoman.
“Kingsman: The Secret Service” (rated R for sequences of strong violence, language and some sexual content) delivers a raucous collision of comic book action and British espionage tropes. It’s a refreshing contrast to the glossed over S&M of “50 Shades of Grey” that will be its head-to-head Valentine’s Day competition at the box office. But it’s also a welcome relief to all the somber Oscar fare still filling theaters.
And damn if those Brits don’t look hot in their tailored suits.
