‘Kingsman’: Espionage has a fresh face

COLIN Firth (left) plays a spy mentor and Taron Egerton, his street-smart trainee.

Espionage has a fresh face in the action-packed Matthew Vaughn film “Kingsman: The Secret Service,” about a young troublemaker who finds himself being groomed to be a spy, for a top-secret organization inspired by the ancient Knights of the Round Table.

One English operative codenamed Galahad (Colin Firth) persuades that potential agent to train and possibly replace a fallen colleague codenamed Lancelot (Jack Davenport).

Hopeless thug

Gary “Eggsy” Unwin (Taron Egerton), a seemingly hopeless thug, runs afoul of the law and in an act of desperation, unknowingly contacts a number being used by the covert group.

Eggsy undergoes rigorous training with other, more elitist prospects, but soon proves capable of becoming an excellent agent–just in time, too, as the Kingsmen discover that an American genius-billionaire, Richmond Valentine (Samuel L. Jackson), is involved in the death of Lancelot.

Bond spoofs

As in “X-Men: First Class,” Vaughn proves adept at handling rough, rowdy scenarios at a breakneck pace, while giving his conflicted main figures proper characterization.

It’s not as silly as “If Looks Could Kill/Teen Agent,” but “Kingsman” has its share of James Bond spoofs, from the exhibition of advanced weaponry to some cheesy-sexy bonding moments with women.

Based on a comic book series, “Kingsman” is bombastic fun for more mature viewers–the film is rated R-16, on account of strong language, violent sequences, and sexual content. But its shoot-’em-ups and blood-spilling, while ineffably cathartic, can be too much; one can’t help but feel repulsed at some point. But that said, one long sequence involving multiple explosions that emit colorful plumes of smoke, is undeniably fun, even riotous.

Sophisticated

Firth gets several opportunities for his Galahad to show off in spectacularly choreographed fisticuffs. His umbrella-carrying gentleman sports a sophisticated demeanor, belying a brutal and efficient fighter.

Egerton as the mentee, meanwhile, is charming, athletic and believably street-smart, but able to show facets–important vulnerability and malleability–to his initially angry character. The once-ratty town loser’s transformation to a dapper, dashing spy, while utterly expected, is still a lively, worthwhile journey.

And Jackson, whose lisping madman is assisted by an assassin with deadly blades, Gazelle (Sofia Boutella), is hilarious, thoroughly enjoyable as the finicky and squeamish Valentine.

Distracting

One thing thatís distracting for the wrong reasons, however, is the blaring score, trumpeting momentous–and even not-so-grand–moments. It often robs tense scenes of necessary suspense. But the film’s mostly 1980s-inspired soundtrack fits, astutely flavoring certain points of this rambunctious caper.