Daniel Craig's James Bond films have been largely influenced by two film franchise, Mike Meyer's Austin Powers and Matt Damon's Jason Bourne films. All of the over-the-top absurdity of Bond, that peaked during the Roger Moore-era, was snuffed out and replaced with a more realistic approach to the character, which began with Martin Campbell's Casino Royale. While Craig's Bond films have been successful they did create a void for an outlandish spy film that it appears will be filled by Matthew Vaughn's Kingsman: The Secret Service. Is it any good? See what the critics have to say.
Variety: "Is as much a comedy as it is an action movie"
"For those who think James Bond has gotten a little too serious in his old age, “Kingsman: The Secret Service” brings the irreverence back to the British spy genre, offering a younger, streetwise variation on the 007 formula while gleefully pushing audiences’ favorite elements — sartorial taste, killer toys and cracked-out supervillains — to hyperbolic extremes." - Peter Debruge
CBR: "A summer movie for winter audiences"
"Overall this is a summer movie masquerading as a winter curiosity. It looks fantastic; the cinematography goes from an inviting green and brown to an almost tongue-in-cheek purple and silver in the final act. The special effects are mind blowing at times, and you'll pardon that pun once you see it, This is a film that contains fight scenes unlike any you've seen before, filled with action and highly entertaining performances that keep the story on track, even as the overlong plot and distracting offensiveness nearly knocks it off course." - Brett White
Hollywood Reporter: "Old-school spycraft meets cartoonish high jinks"
"The true engines of the movie are the chalk-and-cheese contrast between Firth's and Jackson's characters and the understated father-son dynamic between Harry and Eggsy. In his first major big-screen role, Welsh actor Egerton captures the character's resentment and suspicion as well as his longing to make something of himself and to be like Harry, who can coolly lay waste to a barroom of hooligans between sips of his pint. Beyond the unexpected physicality that Firth brings to the part, he imbues Harry with a bone-dry wit." - Sheri Linden
Empire: "Perhaps the riskiest mainstream movie in years"
"It’s got ingenious gadgets, suave heroes with the ability to identify a rare brand of Scotch from smell alone, megalomaniacal villains and deadly henchwomen with blades where their legs used to be. It’s filthy, funny and very violent - and frankly it’s the most fun 007 has been in years."
- Chris Hewitt
The Wrap: "The fifth and, yes, best film from director Matthew Vaughn"
"As for the construction, it’s superb. The action may be ludicrous, but it’s also engaging and delightful; the production design is all tributes and nods to other films and other bits of pop culture, but “Kingsman” also creates a coherent world for itself. The script’s tone, with a few notable disappointments, is also zesty but rarely sour, knowing yet rarely cynical." - James Rocchi
JoBlo: "There are several comedic action sequences that defy description"
"Vaughn gets such great mileage out of his spectacular cast. As noted, Firth is nothing short of perfect; he's the embodiment of classy British charm, and his deadpan delivery is the fitting counterbalance to the raucous going-ons around him. (Just wait until you see the sequence where he absolutely destroys about two dozen people single-handedly.) Jackson, who normally looks like he's having fun, no matter what the role, really shines here; his villain is thoroughly silly, but never less than completely entertaining to watch. It's my favorite Jackson performance in years. "
- Eric Walkuski
KINGSMAN: THE SECRET SERVICE - 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.
In Theaters - February 13, 2015
Cast: Colin Firth, Michael Caine, Taron Egerton, and Samuel L. Jackson