Matthew Vaughn can be an interesting director (see “Layer Cake”), but maybe every other movie he makes doesn’t need to be an adaptation of Mark Millar’s often vulgar and juvenile comics? That said, he probably made the most tolerable possible version of Millar’s “Kick-Ass." Vaughn’s latest is a rendition of the writer’s “Kingsman: The Secret Service,” depicting a veteran secret agent who leads a protégé into the world of espionage. Initially set to arrive this November, Fox pushed the movie to 2015 after a fairly middling reception at Comic-Con in the summer.
The movie stars Colin Firth as the old school spy, Taron Egerton as the brassy young upstart joining the fray, and also includes Samuel L. Jackson, Mark Strong, Michael Caine, Mark Hamill, Sophie Cookson and more (Adele, Elton John, Lady Gaga and David Beckham apparently appear in the film). Here’s the official synopsis:
Based upon the acclaimed comic book and directed by Matthew Vaughn (Kick Ass, X-Men First Class),Kingsman: The Secret Service tells the story of a super-secret spy organization that recruits an unrefined but promising street kid into the agency’s ultra-competitive training program just as a global threat emerges from a twisted tech genius.
“Kingsman: The Secret Service” recently graced the cover of Total Film, and in light of all those Brit cameos, we wonder if this movie is going to appeal more to the UK genre audience than in America. Vaughn’s movie comes out February 13, 2015. Watch the first trailer below.
"Lee" – the voice of the pompous peabrained PC dumbo. Anti-west because he\’s told to think that way. About half the intelligence of the average Sun reader
Bravo, Susan. You said it all. My bone to pick here is regarding the reception for the Kingsman previews at Comic Con and at Cinema Con. Pretty much got highly positive receptions and a standing ovation at Cinema Con.
And Yeah. Putting it against the most buzzed about movie of 2015, 50 Shades of Gray…that\’s really throwing it under a bus. I think it shows faith in its drawing power.
Of course, one is very aware that pre-bias (usually against) often rules what critics say about a movie. Doesn\’t matter how great the movie is. Petty people are always going to give petty judgments.
There is a anti-Colin Firth backlash among critics. You can see this from the snarky remarks above. This publication is priming to give a negative review to this movie even before it has been viewed. Now that is objective criticism (sarcasm intended). Critics are jealous of his Oscar win and they always try to knock down people how have some success if they can. And he is not part of the Hollywood scene. The Railway Man is a fine film with an amazing performance by Firth. Panned by the critics. Arthur Newman is a moving film about someone lost and crushed by dashed expectations. Great performances by Firth and Emily Blunt. Panned. Magic in the Moonlight. A funny lesser Allen, but better than many such as Scoop. Firth was charming as was Emma Stone. They have great chemistry. Panned. All that the critics focused on was the age difference. Male critics, I have a little bit of information for you. No woman is kicking Colin Firth out of bed anytime soon. Also, Sabrina, Love in the Afternoon, Funny Face, the Country Girl, High Noon, Silk Stockings, the Bandwagon, The Big Sleep, the Fountainhead, Vertigo, Rear Window, To Catch a Thief, North by Northwest, High Society, etc. all featured May December romances. Are these movies bad because of the age difference between the male and female stars? I don\’t think so, that is if you have any taste. This is just a manifestation of the anti Firth and Allen bias of critics. No, this critic and his ilk only want to promote the silly American fare unrelentingly pushed on us by Hollywood. A little British wit and whimsy is intimidating to this brain dead and biased critic that has already pre judged this film and is sending out negative vibes without seeing the movie. Outrageously bad job.
smug, dream of oldie England, conservative bullshit. will probably be a hit.