Kingsman: The Secret Service

Whilst watching this film, I was amazed by how iconic the movie felt, I felt as if I was watching the start of a movie franchise which would go on to become the next great spy franchise.

The film, adapted from a popular comic book series feels like a highly modernized James Bond, a version of Bond which, although less classic and less refined, was more energetic and fresher. Kingsman is the story of Eggsy, a young chav recruited into a secret spy organisation called The Kingsmen. Upon arriving at their headquarters he is set a series of tasks to determine his worth.

What was ultimately also apparent about Kingsman was the style of the film, the fashion of the film is stylish, classic and quintessentially British, and the films producers teamed up with Mr. Porter to create a clothing line based on the film, a first for the industry.

Although the film does sometimes feel aimless, and suffers from particular drag in its third act, it is never dull, and even when I was unsure about where the film was headed, it was always entertaining.

The star of the film is relative unknown Taron Egerton, who is a welcome addition to British cinema and who is able to make the relatively emotional difficult journey from east London chav to reformed gentleman by the end of the film.

The supporting cast of the film is filled out with Colin FIrth, Mark Strong, Samuel L Jackson and Michael Caine, who all give fine, if not outstanding performances.

Even if the film feels sometimes aimless Kingsman: The Secret Service is a delightfully stylish and entertaining cinematic romp, and may well be the greatest original british spy film since Dr. No, bring on the sequel.

This Means War

This Means War is a 2012 romantic comedy spy film directed by McG, director of Charlies Angels and Terminator Salvation. The film is about a love triangle in which two CIA agents find out that they're dating the same woman. The film stars Reese Witherspoon as Lauren Scott, a singleton who attempts to be promiscuous and date two men at the same time, spurred on by her painfully honest friend Trish, played by the hilarious Chelsea Handler. Chris Pine and Tom Hardy play Lauren's love interests, CIA agents deployed to Hong Kong to capture a Russian gangster. 

The films cast is likeable, funny and charismatic, and Chelsea Handler shines as Trish. Handler ad-libbed most of her lines in this role, and thus creates a character who is real, and unclichéd. It is particularly refreshing to see Tom Hardy, who is known for playing dark brooding characters in such films as The Dark Knight Rises, Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy and Lawless. It is highly refreshing to see a film which is light, fluffy and enjoyable. Pine and Hardy have great chemistry, and somehow are convincing as best friends. Only Witherspoon fails to stray very far from the ditzy blonde romantic comedy figure she created as Elle Woods in 2001's Legally Blonde.

The film has an interesting premise, a woman decides that she needs to date more, and enters into relationships with two men, not knowing that the men know each other. The men then discover that they are dating the same woman and decide that they must let her decide, they eventually use CIA equipment and resources to spy on each other and her, to gain an advantage and to put the other at a disadvantage. Hilarity ensues with each character going to greater and greater lengths to out do the other.

Part of the far reaching appeal of this movie is that it appeals to both men and women, the romantic comedy aspect of the film will appeal to women, and the loud action scenes will appeal to men, however part of the problem with this film is that it fails to appeal to either gender quite enough, the romantic comedy parts are too few and far between, and the film isn't nearly funny enough to appeal to die-hard comedy fans, and the action sequences are clumsily edited, and not hard hitting enough for hard-core action fans, leaving a film that both genders can tolerate, but that neither will perhaps enjoy, yet overall, an innofensive watch, which succedes due to its charismatic cast. Rating: B-

Trish: Don't choose the better guy, choose the guy that's gonna make you the better girl.