A fun spy romp with plenty of action

Rating: 8/10 (22 February 2015)

Kingsman takes itself seriously enough to avoid the label of spoof, but keeps it's tongue firmly planted in cheek as it carries the audience along for a fun ride. I would say it's neither James Bond nor Austin Powers, but ultimately resides somewhere in the middle alongside 60's spies like Matt Helm or Derek Flint, but with the kind of action and set pieces we have grown accustomed to in modern cinema. Everyone involved is endlessly watchable, even those with smaller parts. Newcomer Taron Egerton was very good as both the street-wise punk with an oddly sophisticated past, and the dapper Kingsman he eventually becomes. The action and effects were well done, although some may find a certain choice near the end to be a bit odd. It does serve a purpose, however, adding levity in place of violence that would be excessive even for this film. In my opinion it works. Overall Kingsman is a fun update to an old concept, and I can hardly wait to see more.