Colin Firth features his action side and Samuel L. Jackson shows his villainous side in the Matthew Vaughn-directed Kingsmen: The Secret Service film that kicks off a spy-filled year at the cinemas.
Inspired by the Mark Millar graphic novel, Director Vaughn (X-Men: First Class, Kick-Ass), Kingsmen: The Secret Service stars Colin Firth as Harry Hart, a veteran agent who recruits Eggy, impressively played by Taron Egerton, who happens to be the son of a former agent.
Firth is amazingly impressive in the physical stuntwork, action sequences, and overall prowess at 52 years old. His Oscar-winning acting skills also add the necessary emotional weight to the action-filled plot.
Sofia Boutella is equally impressive with “killer” legs as a double amputee assassin Gazelle who yields blades instead of feet (character in the graphic novel was male; reportedly filmmakers initially considered Oscar Pistorius for the role). Jackson plays the baddie with bravado (though I would have jettisoned his lisp) as mogul Richmond Valentine who has a look echoing Russell Simmons. Other co-stars include Mark Strong, Michael Caine, Vaughn film veteran Jason Flemyng, Jack Davenport, Sophie Cookson, and Mark Hamill (Star Wars) who plays scientist Dr. James Arnold.
In this film viewers will see bullet-proof designer-fashion suits, a lighter as a grenade, exploding silicon microchips, remote-activated poison pens, double-barrelled hand-pistols, a 50,000 volt electrified sovereign ring, augmented virtual reality spectacles, a bulletproof AR targeting system ammunition-firing black designer umbrella, shoes with poisoned neurotoxin pop-out blades, and super-spy smart watches which can fire sleep darts and magnetized bolas.
The musical score soundtrack (out on Feb. 17) keeps the action going while the pop culture references run rampant. Even the Bourne and James Bond films are mentioned along with the Get Smart television series. Want to live by the Kingmen’s rules? Here they are:
(1) A gentleman never tells about conquests, private matters, or dealings. His business is nobody else’s.
(2) A gentleman doesn’t clash in public with enemies or exes, or worse, with out-of-fashion contrasts, colors or styles.
(3) A gentleman is always happy to serve, whether it’s opening the door, picking up the bill, or merely calling a cab the next morning. Ask him for help and he cannot refuse.
(4) A gentleman never reacts to rudeness. He pretends he doesn’t recognize it and moves on like it never happened, because it never should have.
(5) A gentleman is always on target with witty remarks, interesting facts, and conversation starters that bring the best out of everyone.
(6) A gentleman asks non-invasive questions to keep a conversation going and attention focused on others. He makes them feel like the most interesting person he’s ever met, whether that’s true or not.
Gentlemen can also look the part with the exclusive Kingsman: Secret Service menswear line from Mr. Porter complete with 60 pieces and accessories that include briefcases, eyewear, footwear, pocket squares, umbrellas, and watches like the almost $25,000 Bremont ALT1-WT/WH World Timer Automatic Chronograph Watch.