Unwin, Gary Unw..... Sh!

Rating: 9/10 (17 February 2015)

Early on in the film, Galahad (Colin Firth) asks Eggsy (Taron Egerton) if he's seen Trading Places, Le Femme Nikita or Pretty Woman, as a way to describe their relationship. For those of you who don't know, all those films, simply put, depicts down on luck protagonist(s) meeting a benefactor who brings them to a higher level. Eggsy, upon realizing Galahad's intention, counters with My Fair Lady, a film that has a similar plot to those mentioned, but was in theaters way before the rest. Kingsman: The Secret Service displays this intention by being a spy film that would not fit nicely with today's Jason Bourne or Ethan Hunt, but instead stands beside 1960's Roger Moore's James Bond.
Galahad is a member of the Kingsman, a secret spy agency, who recruits Eggsy into spy school because Eggsy's father saved his life years ago. Eggsy makes friends, gets made fun of and shows calmness and ingenuity when it comes to his tests. Unfortunately, he fails his final test and gets kicked out. However, an evil plan concocted by Richmond Valentine (Samuel L Jackson) leaves Kingsman crippled and Eggsy is required to help save the day.
Plot wise, there really isn't anything original. Richmond Valentine stole 70% of his plan from Hugo Drax (1979's Moonraker) and Karl Stromberg (1977's The Spy Who Loved Me), both of who just happened to be villains in the Roger Moore Bond era. The mentions of My Fair Lady and co. obviously depicts Galahad and Eggsy's interaction and relationship throughout the film. The story of the chosen one who excels, get kicked out and returns to save the day is a plot line that has been in films for ages. You will even see most of the twists coming. (Come on, Michael Caine is obviously not that nice a guy. 4 out of his 5 films post Dark Knight Rises had him play someone whose intentions ain't that pure)
However, I don't think Kingsman was trying to achieve anything fresh in the first place. It pays a huge homage to spy films, in particular to, once again, Bond films. Kingsman feels like MI6, with Arthur (Michael Caine) taking the role of M and Merlin (Mark Strong) taking on Q. Gadgets that can do anything are disguised in everyday objects. The "Bond Girl", largely unseen throughout the film, fulfills her role near the end by sleeping with Eggsy, a move that would be completely illogical and came out of nowhere unless she's a Bond girl. Valentine, a character with questionable fashion sense, speaks with a lisp and vomits upon seeing blood, feels like one of those goofy, over-the- top maniacs that Sean Connery and Roger Moore faced during their tenure as Bond.
They also had a phone in the shoe joke (Get Smart) and what appeared to me as musical cues from Austin Powers's Dr Evil?
Yet on the other hand, it is self aware enough to make fun of the clichés present in spy films. "There is no elaborate traps and even more elaborate escapes from the super spy." and "You wouldn't find a cheesy punchline anywhere near this film" are points raised by characters in Kingsman. As Valentine says in the film:"We ain't that type of movie."
The fight scenes in Kingsman are glorious, especially those by Colin Firth. To put it in words, the fight scenes are one long take focusing primarily on Galahad using tons of creatively badass ways to kill people. The choreography is beautiful, the blood and gore actually brings you into the action and there seem to be no end to the number of ways you can kill someone. You really have to see it to believe it. Those by Taron Egerton weren't as fun to watch, but he still does a decent job. Kudos to the Black Widow signature.
There are of course minor flaws with the film. The CGI are really horrendous during several points in the film, particularly the fight between Eggsy and Gazelle (Sofia Boutella). That will take you out of the moment. The protagonists makes some really questionable choices. Eggsy clearly would have known the gun he needs to shoot the dog with wasn't loaded. Kingsman already faked out twice beforehand with the parachute and train tracks. They also should have given more for Roxy (Sophie Cookson) to do, being another fully capable Kingsman, but she does well throughout the film
Kingsman is a cross between a spy film and a spy film spoof. Instead of being indecisive and messing up its tone and direction, it manages to achieve a delicate balance between the two genres. You will still keep in mind the lingering danger the characters face while you witness the goofy humor Kingsman exhibits. It really is great fun to watch.