Kingsman: The Secret Service Review
RYAN: The trailers for Kingsman looked super energetic and exciting and I was looking forward to this and whoa! It did not disappoint. This is one of my favorite movies! It’s so fantastic it just fired on all cylinders. I’m on such a high after seeing it. I can’t wait to see it again and will totally own this movie.
CAROLINE: Wow that’s amazing. I’m so happy for you. Do tell all about it.
RYAN: It’s directed by Matthew Vaughn who made one of my all time favorite films – Stardust. And I feel like this one is totally in the same vein as that film but of the espionage/action genre instead of fantasy. And I’ll take it. I literally sat rapt and marveled at the screen. I was beaming at times. You know how at a Broadway show, where there’s a showstopper number you just erupt into applause?
CAROLINE: Of course.
RYAN: I felt that same passion at the end of action sequences in this movie. I had to literally contain my cheers. I wanted to start clapping so badly but that would have been bad form, especially in front of all the other critics there. Ha.
CAROLINE: I understand but that must have been such a challenge.
RYAN: Action movies are the best when there’s originality in the stunts and you see things you’ve never seen in another movie. This film is packed with innovative scenes. The cinematography, the camera work and effects, the regular and slow motion and closeups and slayings – they’re all so fresh.
CAROLINE: I love that too.
RYAN: And yet the design is very classic British and makes it feel both familiar and modern at the same time. It’s based on a comic and it’s so different from James Bond or Mission Impossible but does have some homage-like moments. If I had to choose though, I like this more than any of those other films. Because of the characters, the humor, the touch of this director.. it’s amazing.
CAROLINE: How’s the cast?
RYAN: So good. Colin Firth is brilliant. So fun and cool and bad ass in this movie. Sam Jackson is hilarious as the villain. Mark Strong is outstanding and so cool to see him here since he did Stardust with this director. And then stars like Taron Egerton and Sofia Boutella were incredible. Taron – he’s one to watch! He’s the next Aaron Taylor-Johnson for sure. Mark Hamill was in this too and that was cool. Sofia plays a character with prosthetic legs. She has real legs but the effects were plentiful and phenom. Jaw-dropping effects.
CAROLINE: This really does sound amazing.
RYAN: There are some scenes that might make some people uncomfortable. And it’s rated R for violence, language and some offensive things, but I’m so happy the movie didn’t censor the story. It all works so fabulously well as a complete project that it turned out perfectly.
CAROLINE: Sounds like you have no complaints.
RYAN: None. There’s a great beat to to film in terms of the pacing. The soundtrack is so effective and adding another layer of emotion and energy to it. And the costumes are so nice that Mr. Porter will be selling a line inspired by them. I’m telling you I want a Kingsman suit.
CAROLINE: I’m sure you do.
RYAN: This movie is an example of why I love movies so much. It gives you a jolt of energy and puts a spring in your step when you see it and after. I hope everyone gets out to enjoy it. Sequels would be welcomed.
