Same Old, Same Old

Rating: 5/10 (15 March 2015)

'Kingsman: The Secret Service' is...well...exactly what you would expect from a Jane Goldman adaptation of a Mark Millar comic book. It's absurdly violent, devoid of any subtlety in characterisation, insistently profane and – just occasionally – bloody funny. Colin Firth plays a John Steed style spy, recruiting noob Taron Egerton into a troupe of impeccably tailored spies. Rather more restrained than 'Kick Ass', it's okay and you'll probably think you want a sequel – but bearing in mind what the same team did in 'Kick-Ass 2'...you REALLY don't. As a parody of posh super-spy tomfoolery (incessantly referenced in the script), it works. Samuel L. Jackson is amusing as the lisping baddie, sending his usual cool screen-persona up, and the ever-reliable Mark Strong gives able support as the de facto 'Q' for the team, but it is essentially lightweight, disposable fare. Best scene involves a VERY inventive use of 'Land of Hope and Glory', which provoked a round of applause at the screening I viewed.