Kingsman: The Secret Service evaded me when it played theaters—and it’s a humdinger of a movie, that’s for sure.
In this film based on a comic-book series, Colin Firth plays Harry, a member of a secret order of agents that saves the world from all kinds of bad guys. When a fellow agent dies (the agents are named after the Knights of the Round Table), Harry recruits Lee (Jonno Davies), the young son of a former agent and friend, to be the replacement.
Unlike James Bond movies, this one isn’t afraid of bad words and gory violence. One scene in which Harry executes an entire church full of hateful rednecks (set to the tune of “Free Bird”) has more gore than three average R-rated movies combined.
Firth is great here, as are Mark Strong and Michael Caine as fellow agents. Mark Hamill shows up briefly in a pivotal role, and Samuel L. Jackson gets a meaty part as the strangest of terrorists.
The film is loaded with surprises, as well as some fine action directed by Matthew Vaughn. It’s one of the best action films of the year.
Special Features: There are numerous featurettes on the making of the movie and some photo galleries.