- Joined
- Feb 8, 1999
- Messages
- 18,316
- Real Name
- Robert Harris
I missed Matthew Vaughn's Kingsman, when it arrived theatrically in February. My schedule, combined with some less than stellar opinions about the concept, the film, and its unrestrained violence had me place it on the back burner.
Big mistake.
My son asked if I was getting the Blu-ray, and suggested that I take a look. I suppose it's because he knows that I'm appreciative of bespoke English clothing and pugs.
So I gave it a try.
And what I've come away with from the 129 minutes viewing the film, is that it's probably the most entertaining modern film that I've seen in ages.
If you know your cinema, and appreciate its history, you'll find that everything comes together in an orgy of intelligent filmmaking.
Think of it this way.
Combine Pygmalion, or My Fair Lady mit out music, with a large dose of Peckinpah at his best -- let's say c. 1967 -- a wonderful dose of Mr. Kubrick's Dr. Strangelove...
and combine it with the best of Bond. Not the new ones -- those multi-hundred million dollar bloated affairs, but rather the real Bonds. Think the best of Mr. Connery, possibly Goldfinger or From Russia.
Imagine Colin Firth as that Bond, as a part of a true secret service, with all of the funding...
and those toys at their disposal.
For those who were offended by the uber-violence of the Kentucky church sequence, I fear they were not in on the joke, or possibly lacked the ability to communicate with their true inner Peckinpah.
To me, Kingsman: The Secret Service, is a 129 love poem to the best of cinema's spy movies, combined with the best of political thrillers, all put together for consummate fun and entertainment.
As a Blu-ray, Fox's presentation is perfect. It should be, as its derived from Alexa data files. Audio is huge 7.1.
If you love the real Bond films, and others I've discussed above, along with a good dose of entertainment from the minds who brought you Kick-Ass, Kingsman is for you.
Taron Egerton is a wonderful Eliza.
Image - 5
Audio - 5
Pass / Fail - Pass
Very Highly Recommended
Superb entertainment value. For those who also missed this film in theaters, the Blu-ray can be yours for about the same price as a movie ticket. And you can share it with a friend.
Note: I attempted to write this piece with an affected speech impediment, but it didn't work.
RAH