A Fun Ride Through A Heroic World Of Action

Rating: 8/10 (25 February 2015)

I purposely try not to know too much about a film before I watch it. This film starts out like a typical Bond film, but quickly dispels that notion. The viewer is alerted that this is a film where you can expect the unexpected. After a while, I recognized the comic book origins of the story and allowed myself to just enjoy the world of "Kingsman", where style trumps substance.
Meanwhile, the references to other films were flying left and right. Some of the more obvious to me (besides the Bond canon) were "The Man from U.N.C.L.E.", "V for Vendetta", "Kill Bill", and even "The Princess Bride."
One of the best things about this film is the photography. The camera is always moving. In fight scenes, it does not film from afar; it enters the fray and traces the flights of bullets, bottles and fists. It moves from scene to scene with a smoothness that is enjoyable, unlike some modern films that feel like they are edited to change camera views every split second.
The film is violent. There are violent characters intent on mass destruction and intrepid heroes who do what is necessary to stop them. But still this is comic book violence, though some may not understand the difference.
The heroes are "gentlemen" agents--men of chivalry and refinement, like James Bond distilled to his essence and perfected over the years.
I give this film high marks for its creativity, its style, the scenery and sets, and its action scenes. With tongue in cheek, it takes the viewer on a fun ride and sets the table for future sequels.