Many, many movies have attempted to cash in on the James Bond cinematic phenomena over the years by emulating, parodying, copying, satirizing or, as in this case, outdoing the Bond cadre.  Some of those imitators and descendants have been pretty solid films in their own right — as is Kingsman: The Secret Service.  I had my doubts about the preview, which made it look excessively cartoonish, but I have to admit that the actual film continually surprised and pleased my senses, in spite of its ridiculously high body count.

Matthew Vaughn’s movie is a spirited, profane, adventuresome, kick-ass James Bond film, with more of an edge.  For a long time the James Bond films defined the action genre, and they have continually striven to stay state-of-the-art, albeit with realistic parameters.  That’s great, yet Kingsman isn’t encumbered by the need for realism or authenticity (not that the JB films are documentaries!).  This movie presumes to be an espionage film, but it’s really a comic book (it’s source) come to colorful life on the screen.  I generally don’t care for the comic book trend, but done right it can be quite effective, and this one is done right.

It is a pastiche of spy film conventions yet it also features nods to horror and sci-fi films like Invaders from Mars and the action films of Luc Besson.  It’s a wild and woolly ride with a couple of action sequences that are quite eye-popping.  Its best aspect, as far as I am concerned, is that its violence — and it is a very violent film, though not particularly bloody — is accompanied by real consequence for the main characters.  It isn’t just killing for killing’s sake, or for that of entertainment.  And despite all the violence, the characters inspire us to care.

Its plot, and villain, are worthy of a James Bond adventure, positing that the Earth and its teeming mass of humanity can no longer coexist, and sides have to be chosen.  An elegant logic pervades the villain’s argument, but his solution is too horrible to contemplate.

Stylistically this movie goes a little overboard in its attempts to pop the eyes.  I did not mind the fights that change from normal to super slo-mo until the very end, when it just became a bit much.  The exploding heads sequence, which is arranged like a Busby Berkeley musical sequence, and again filmed in slow-motion, was definitely too much.  But most of the film works, especially when mild-mannered Colin Firth goes into deadly action in pubs and churches.

There is a whole lot to like in this movie, and I did.  Not so much the constant and unnecessary profanity, mainly because I’m not used to it in a James Bond-style film. But this is a solidly-made, very entertaining R-rated action movie that fulfills its ambitions with flying colors.  It may not be everyone’s cup of tea, but I do highly recommend it while we’re all waiting for the next James Bond film.  And remember, manners maketh man.  ☆ ☆ ☆.  3 March 2015.