Kingsman: The Secret Service

Cruelly insane fun, in my eyes even a notch better than Kick-Ass, mainly thanks to the likable main character and the fact that everyone is likable here, including the bad guys. Kingsman is a movie whose creators (and characters) were pining for funny spy flicks, so they just figured they'd make another one. They were inspired by the original Bond films, the Agent Flint films, maybe even the Mission: Impossible series and this is what was created. Two hours of hilarious bloody silliness, where all the agents wear the glasses once made famous by Michael Caine, where Colin Firth is an incredible badass, although you would never say that to him, where everything makes sense, no matter how goofy it is, and where the viewer is constantly surprised by something. Matthew Vaughn was clearly in his element when he was conceiving and filming Kingsman, and it's clear that unlike X-Men: First Class, he didn't have his hands tied in the least bit, so he could run amok. Sensational, sensational. He made one of the few films that I immediately want to watch again as soon as it's over.___P.S. My only complaint is about the princess's catchphrase, which is quoted enthusiastically by perhaps half of the comments here, but which did not amuse me one bit. (10/31/2015)

Some films are able to make me angry, and fortunately, Kingsman did not succeed in that, even though the film missed the mark for me by a mile. I simply expected this outcome in advance. Kingsman is essentially James Bond for teenagers in a comedic form. The entire James Bond series is outside the scope of my interests and I haven't been a teenager for several decades. It's not my cup of tea, just like a Justin Bieber or Katy Perry concert. The film's humor doesn't work for me about 95% of the time, just like the catchphrases, and in some cases, I cringe when I hear them. The action scenes are filmed in a terrifying way - too fast, chaotic, and stupid, just like the plot of the film. Of course, it's a blockbuster that can offer entertainment and effects, so from my perspective, there is at least some satisfaction. And the presence of proven top British actors is also not to be dismissed. That all amounts to 2 stars. Compared to this creation, Live Free or Die Hard, for example, is genius in terms of the screenplay. Kingsman can be considered a perfect, and I mean perfect, adolescent film and the high percentages of popularity clearly indicate who makes up the majority of movie viewers. Overall impression: 35%. Yes, I agree that in a certain respect, Kingsman represents the future of the film industry. Unfortunately. (03/08/2015)

I knew from the first minute that this film was going to be a five-star affair, but I had no idea that after watching it, it would become an instant favourite and the best film ever made, on par with The Dark Knight and The Raid 2. A brilliant, precise and high quality film in every aspect, yes every single cinematic part here is pedaling at 150%. The highlights: attractive and original visuals, an excellent idea, authentic and original cinematography that draws the viewer into the story, perfect acting (Colin Firth, Samuel L. Jackson, Mark Hamil and that irresistible evil babe with very sharp high heels), polished dialogues that are witty, blackly humorous, intelligent with lots of interesting wisdom, lessons and moral principles, and, above all, absolutely TOP NOTCH classy action that is breathtaking, ass-clenching, heart-jumping and erection-inducing! I must also praise the very well chosen soundtrack for every single scene, the amazing gradual build-up of tension, the literally heart attack inducing moments (the countdown to the end of humanity, the parachute jump, the perfect training), and most of all the originality. The film is bursting with one idea after another; it’s unbelievable that in this day and age someone can make a film where every scene, every invention, every single action set-piece is brand new, original, distinctive... and for horror buffs, there's plenty of blood and violence. I must urge all my friends to go to the cinema. Unless you are a curmudgeon, a nerd, a rabble, a universally hated entity and a village scum you will be as satisfied as I am. There hasn't been a more entertaining movie in years. Seen twice already and soon for the third time. 1000%!!! (02/23/2015)

I don’t know if I’ve ever seen a film that so accurately reflected teenage mentality. In some of its details, Kingsman is excellent and breathtaking, in others, I found it awful. Overall, I had fun with it, thought rather reluctantly. Many people value its attempt at being constantly entertaining, tough, controversial, fierce and refreshing, but, unlike with Kick-Ass, for instance, Vaughn here doesn’t keep a measure on things and in some places he falls into a cesspool of a category I can call spoilt brat. That’s what bothers me the most about a film that’s supposed to be about gentlemanhood. The brutal violence against bystanders is here portrayed and presented as cool fun. That not only goes against my moral principles, but also brings up another internal conflict: how are we supposed root for the heroes to thwart the villain’s plan, if it is only when villain wins that we can get another serving of eye-candy brutal action, as in the church (which is the most talked about, not only here)? And what skills of the candidates was the last task of the admission process supposed to reveal? The ability to follow even the most stupid orders without question? Thanks very much for that. Maybe if I was a bigger fan of the old Bond films, my feelings towards Kingsman would be more positive. Or probably not. (02/20/2015)

A bit of a sucker punch from Matthew, because he plays exactly those strings that a shameful and overripe Bond fan has to love in his post-nerdy nature (well-known superspy choruses acted with a mixture of irony and fanboy love). When you take this world too seriously, you come to the harsh condemnation of its hidden conservatism and aristocratic stiffness (just like certain British critics), but what else is JB's (the only real one) world based on, if not its return to the suit, fireplace, mahogany, and expensive booze? Kingsman is an amusing paraphrase of genre rules, their reflections, distortions and resurrections in all their glory and dignity. The boy gets a suit, the aristocracy enjoys anal, the viewer enjoys Matthew's kinetic tomfoolery, the seamless transitions from scene to scene and the striking catchphrases... we add a bit of honest social drama and we’re home. Being that I am distanced from it, the only objection I have is that Vaughn's inclination to ultimate "coolness" at all costs is already on the verge of self-parody and emotional blackmail. But let’s not be distanced. Kingsman amused me because it had to amuse me. It's that kind of a movie... [80%] (02/04/2015)