Missed potential, gratuitous crap

Rating: 3/10 (30 June 2015)

This movie could have been great, but it squanders all it's potential. It relishes low-class ugliness. The film tries so hard to be a clever, deconstructive meta-tale, forever winking at the audience about its silly story, that it metas itself into insignificance. Mr. Vaughn has no interest in, or perhaps understanding of, violence as a cinematic tool. He doesn't use violence; he squanders it. Ultimately, there's little to care about.
Kingsman is like a high-speed collision between a Jaguar and a jaywalking soccer hooligan. It's ridiculously out of balance, and when you're stuck in the middle, it doesn't seem so funny. If you like really bad pulp fiction, this movie is for you. Otherwise steer clear of it.