Kingsman: The Secret Service

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%] (04/02/2015)

Kick-Ass made in a style of classic Bond movies. And it is done so consistently and one to one (again, it is genre conscious as much as subversive, furious, with a considerable portion of meta exaggeration, it emphasizes being cool in all circumstances and the resembles in clearly seen also in the course, the type of roles, allusions, etc.) that is clearly to its detriment, because the Vaughn/Millar duo are undoubtedly capable of doing more than just copying themselves. However, if (and as long as) it is such a thoroughly likeable incorrect fun, who would mind it? PS: Too bad the official subtitles, which are not very imaginative are not very good. At least Valentine's speech impediment directly calls for a playful approach. (06/02/2015)

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. (31/10/2015)

I don't yet know whether, given future trends, we should rejoice or rather mourn as the long-untouchable cinematic mood of the UK becomes increasingly blended with Hollywood enthusiasm, but as long as the result is at least half as nonchalant in its precisely measured performances and diabolical in its irresistibly entertaining action as Kingsman, there’s absolutely nothing to worry about. Matthew Vaughn knows very well what he’s doing, he knows where he wants to take the viewer, and the story as a whole, with all the jokes, is built to satisfy the part of the audience that expects a pure parody of the formally diverse but exclusively British career of a certain James Bond (Colin Firth in a perfectly fitting suit and karate-style pose could replace Daniel Craig in the famous role in no time), as well as the rest of us, who hunger for the insane yet exaggerated details and individual action passages, and the concept of a criminal conspiracy whose mastermind is a rich nigga with a penchant for burgers who doesn't go far for fuck (and he's American, of course – specifically, one who plays nigga just about everywhere). And it all works really well, and, though the first half doesn't bring anything new and the originality stagnates, the ending crowned with the most humorous villain liquidation since Hot Fuzz to the sounds of “Give It Up” by KC&Sunshine Band brought me to a state of ecstasy. In addition to Firth and Jackson, thumbs up to the likeable Egerton, and Mark Strong, who here looks almost like Stanley Tucci. And the biggest praise, of course, for Matthey Vaughn. 80% (19/06/2015)

Matthew Vaughn again shot an almost perfect entertainment which has everything a funny gangster movie needs. A villain with a lisp, portrayed by Samuel L. Jackson, macho agent Colin Firth or a really likeable muddler Taron Egerton. Add in a rather classic story, but with a truly excellent interpretation, which is most apparent in the rather brutal, but all the more fun action scene in the church. I don’t know if Matthew Vaughn is a genius, but he is one of the few directors whose films I keep revisiting and after watching them again I rate them even higher. After Stardust, this flick is the best he managed to entertain me with so far. And I hope it was not the last time. (03/06/2015)