Kingsman (The Secret Service & The Golden Circle)
“Manners maketh man” – Harry Hart (Kingsman: The Secret Service)
There are people with the initials J.B. who will always attract female (passionate) sighs.
Imagine a scene. A man and a woman. In her room, sitting on her bed. The man with a gentle hand motion unbuttons her red dress from the back and gently kisses her neck. She, all excited by these experienced seduction gestures, whispers: “But I don’t even know your name, sir…”
Scene with J.B. man 1: “Bauer… Jack Bauer…”
Her (in a quiet whisper): “Uuuhhh… experienced…”
Scene with J.B. man 2: “Bourne… Jason Bourne…”
Her (in a quiet whisper): “Aaaaaahhhhh… dangerous…”
Scene with J.B. man 3: “Bond… James Bond…”
Her (in a quiet whisper): “Oooooooooohhhhhhhhhh… classic…”
Scene with J.B. man 4: “Eggsy… Eggsy Unwin”
Her (in a quiet whisper): “Iiiiiiiiihhhh… sexyyyyyy… WAIT A MINUTE, WHO ARE YOU NOW YOU KID!? YOU’RE NOT J.B.!? COME ON DO YOU HAVE AN ID KID, DOES YOUR MOM KNOW WHERE YOU ARE! GO RUN HOME AND FINISH YOUR HOMEWORK! I SAID RUN!”
Okay, we won’t be so harsh on Gary “Eggsy” Unwin, he’s got polish like his J.B. colleagues too. Don’t believe me? You might change your mind after watching the film “Kingsman: The Secret Service.”
The main hero Eggsy doesn’t exactly have a happy childhood. His father died when he was only a few years old, and later his mother started some kind of extramarital affair/cohabitation with some loser (local criminal) and had another child. Eggsy is really a good guy. He’s extremely intelligent and talented in gymnastics and parkour (and voluntarily quit marine training halfway through, although he was among the best) but, in accordance with his current environment, leads an uninspiring, loser life (presented as a typical chav stereotype). And because of one such incident he ended up in the police where he’s threatened with a longer “vacation.”
But as the saying goes “one call changes everything” (especially when the Tax Office is calling), and so Eggsy, instead of calling his mother, dials a number found on the back of a medallion he received as a child, which is his only memory of his father. Thirty seconds later, confused Eggsy is free, though he doesn’t know how. Then a mysterious man in a suit waits for him outside the police station, typically British in style and behavior (well, not quite so stiff a la “stick up the a**” British behavior), named Harry.
Eggsy then discovers the secret of his father’s medallion. His father was a member of an intelligence service, who in one mission sacrificed his life to save colleagues. One of those colleagues was precisely Harry, who blames himself for Eggsy’s father’s death and, wanting to redeem himself (and enable Eggsy a better life), offers our young hero an opportunity to try to pass training for a member of this secret service, where only the best of the best pass.
And what secret service is it? CIA, FBI, KGB, MI-6, BIA, Crisis Staff?
No my dears, it’s “Kingsman.” This secret service was created by the initiative of wealthy people who lost their heirs during World War I, and wanted to prevent future catastrophes. For their service’s name they chose the name of the elite tailor shop that made their suits (which is now also a front for their base, i.e., one of their bases) – “Kingsman.” This secret service functions independently of the state and isn’t under the influence of politicians and their money (meaning, there’s no Joca from accounting finding 50 million euros spent under the item “massage therapists, rocking chairs and toilet paper” or goods being procured through a rigged tender to a relative). Secret agents’ names are taken from the Arthurian period (“Knights of the Round Table”), so we have Lancelot, Galahad and company. The oldest among them is Arthur, and the advisor (also IT wizard and expert for agent training) is Merlin. They absolutely respect British manners and etiquette, and are always elegantly dressed and have a measured, aristocratic way of addressing… which still doesn’t prevent them from eliminating piles of opponents themselves using martial arts skills and an umbrella (yes, umbrella, you read that right).
And while Eggsy, with a few other young candidates, tries to pass training and fix his life, a great technological revolution begins in the world. Internet billionaire and philanthropist, Richmond Valentine, offered free to every citizen of the world to get a SIM card, which will provide the user with free calls and free unlimited internet. Since Kingsmans know “there’s no free lunch” (or, if you want to use a less academic expression, “grandma doesn’t give anything for free either”), Harry’s task becomes to investigate this eccentric billionaire.
And soon a terrible truth is revealed that the world is threatened not just by revolution, but also by a “flood” of biblical character. Will Harry and young Eggsy be able to prevent this apocalypse? You’ll find out in “Kingsman: The Secret Service.”
Why is this film excellent and worth your time alongside Bond, Bourne, Bauer and other serious spy films?
Simply – “Kingsman” brings a lot of fun and humorous content. It finds an excellent balance between the seriousness of classic spy films and humor and fun (but not in a silly way like “Johnny English”) and definitely keeps a smile on your face all the time. It’s dynamic and constantly holds attention, both with visual and musical content, and action.
And action… that’s a special story when it comes to “Kingsman.” The action is crazy, insane, bloody and quite brutal. Whether we’re talking about the opening scene a la James Bond (with executions), the insane massacre in the church (don’t ask), “one on one” confrontations or “alone against everyone”… be assured, you’re guaranteed entertainment. Obviously the cameraman was having fun while filming all this too. 😀
Excellent action had to be accompanied by excellent acting. Taron Egerton is excellent in the role of young and agile Eggsy (if his filmography is to be believed, this role precisely launched him among young popular stars), but I think the seniors “stole” the spotlight when it comes to “Kingsman.” You could never imagine Colin Firth (Oscar for the film “The King’s Speech”) as a secret agent who beats up piles of people and is also a mentor to a young agent, complete with British accent and composure, but that’s precisely what he does here and he’s brilliant at it. Great support to this duo is also the brilliant Mark Strong as Merlin, complete with witty lines and surprised reactions. Legendary Samuel L. Jackson (whose brilliant filmography absolutely makes no sense to list, especially the last 30 years) always had a desire to play a villain in some Bond film, so this is the closest thing he got the opportunity for, and he did quite a nice job as eccentric IT billionaire Valentine. And we shouldn’t forget episodic roles by legendary Mark “Luke Skywalker/Joker” Hamill as a kidnapped professor, and Sofia Boutella as the likeable (very deadly) Valentine’s assistant.
And there’s also a “hot” final scene. 😀
If you’re already setting aside time to watch “Kingsman: The Secret Service,” it will be a great shame not to watch the sequel that appeared three years later.
“Kingsman: The Golden Circle” continues the story of adventures of our elegant secret agents. A year has passed since events from the first film, and Eggsy is now a full member of the “Kingsman” group, in a relationship with the Swedish princess and everything’s great… except that suddenly launched missiles destroyed the “Kingsman” base and killed all agents… except Eggsy and Merlin. Following “Doomsday protocol,” Eggsy and Merlin discover there’s an American version of “Kingsman.”
It’s “Statesman,” but their base isn’t made up of luxury tailor shops, but business with alcohol, i.e., Kentucky bourbon (“One would sooner expect their front to be KFC, considering their healthy way of eating” – note from subconscious). Agent names are, of course, in accordance with business, so we have agents “Tequila” and “Whiskey,” Merlin’s counterpart is “Ginger Ale,” and their version of the boss, i.e., Arthur is “Champagne”… … …Lord God…
Anyway, Eggsy and Merlin team up with their new American colleagues in order to prevent a new apocalypse… which is Poppy Adams, an eccentric housewife woman who still lives in the 70s… who is also the leader of the most dangerous drug cartel in the world and an unprecedented psychopath and sociopath… and who holds the entire world in her fist with her drugs and blackmails world powers, and her most loyal servants are two mechanical dogs… and on top of that she kidnapped Elton John and keeps him as a pet!
And when Eggsy and Merlin discover that another “Kingsman” agent is still alive and has amnesia…
Although the plot in the “Kingsman” sequel is on a similar mold as in the first part, the film successfully compensates for that weak point with excellent (and brutal) action and humor, which is why this film won’t be boring for you either. Especially when you see some hilarious scenes, like Merlin’s sacrificial singing, cowboy showdown (complete with revolvers and energy lasso) of agent “Whiskey” with enemy soldiers, epic showdown of two “Kingsmen” against everyone (and meanwhile Elton John has a nervous breakdown and beats up everything alive… and it’s crazier than it sounds), one legendary confrontation… and all accompanied by phenomenal music and visual madness.
Acting is still at the level and again Egerton, Firth and Strong dominate, now even crazier than before. There’s now also excellent Pedro Pascal (brilliant in the top series “The Mandalorian”), while Halle Berry and Channing Tatum are average. The villain-housewife role was taken by crazy legendary Oscar winner Julianne Moore.
The director’s baton for these (quite successful) adaptations of “Kingsman” comics into films is held by Matthew Vaughn, who has under his belt several quite successful action films.
All in all, if you’re hungry for excellent (and quite silly and brutal) action accompanied by excellent music and witty humor, and you’re also a fan of films about secret agents and British elegance, “Kingsman: The Secret Service” and “Kingsman: The Golden Circle” are films worth setting aside your time for. 🙂
And considering both films achieved very good earnings at box offices, it’s no surprise that (most likely) by the end of the year we’re awaiting a third “Kingsman,” except this part will take us into the past, with a completely different cast.
And you dear reader, do you think Eggsy Unwin can stand on the line with Bauer, Bourne and Bond? 🙂
“Kingsman: The Secret Service” trailer | “Kingsman: The Golden Circle” trailer
“Kingsman: The Secret Service” IMDb | Rotten Tomatoes | Metacritic
“Kingsman: The Golden Circle” IMDb | Rotten Tomatoes | Metacritic
Format: Film
Premieres: 2014 | 2017
Duration: 129 minutes | 141 minutes
