Hot scally lad becomes young James Bond and saves the world

Rating: 8/10 (20 February 2015)

This is a surprising, fun, fast-paced and rollicking movie that introduces us to a hitherto unknown spy agency called the Kingsmen. This film embodies -- no, cherishes -- the over-the-top aspects of the 1970s Bond films, i.e. the handsome lady-killer spy, the British gentleman ethos, the deadly gadgets, the nifty lairs, the colourful villains out to destroy the world with grand plots, and so on. The movie doesn't honour this legacy subtly or logically. It does so overtly, camply and with relish. Let's not forget the mind-blowing violence, which -- although extreme -- is implied cartoonish movie violence and not difficult to watch at all. Sizzling Taron Egerton is perfect, as is Colin Firth. Even overexposed Samuel Jackson is watchable here. I'd rate the movie 8.5. Prepare to have a great time! As Valentine says at the end "perfect"!