Posted at 1:30 p.m.
In 2014, the immaculately dressed secret agents of the Kingsman Agency caused a stir in what was meant to be a pastiche of the James Bond films of the Sean Connery era in the 1960s. 2017, Matthew Vaughn again multiplied the bloody scenes and pushed the parody further, but with less success. This time he revisits the concept from a different angle and in a more dramatic way, lifting the veil on the founding of the agency in the back room of a chic menswear store in London, there is a century.
Ralph Fiennes (The Grand Budapest Hotel, Schindler’s List), excels as the Duke of Oxford, who overprotects his only son Conrad (Harris Dickinson). A pacifist, the high-ranking aristocrat is embroiled in backstage games between King George V of England, German Emperor William II and Russian Tsar Nicholas II, all three played by Tom Hollander (Bohemian Rhapsody, bird box). Certain liberties were taken, since contrary to what is advanced, only two of the three monarchs were grandsons of Queen Victoria, while the third (the tsar) was by marriage. But their very real family ties and power struggles are taken advantage of, as are the dangers that awaited them in these turbulent times.
In this framework full of twists and turns, Matthew Vaughn (Kick-Ass, X-Man First Class), who co-wrote the screenplay with Karl Gajdusek (Stranger Things), presents a group of mercenaries, led by a fanatic, whose identity is only revealed at the end. Each has their own motivations and entrances to royal palaces and the White House. The one who stands out the most is unequivocally the charismatic Russian monk Rasputin, interpreted brilliantly by Rhys Ifans (Harry Potter, The Amazing Spider-Man). His insinuating exchanges with young Conrad, an easy prey, and his father, around the lavishly set table for a holiday dinner, lead to a spectacular fight scene to the sound of theSolemn opening 1812 by Tchaikovsky and traditional Russian music. wow!
The sets are magnificent, especially in the scenes shot in the royal palace in Turin. Throughout the film, moreover, it is amusing to notice several references to the first two films of the franchise, inspired by the comics of Mark Millar and Dave Gibbons.
Sure, some of the action scenes are obviously set up with the views guy, but they do provide a good dose of humor. They are a counterweight to the violent fights between the antagonists. Matthew Vaughn brutally brings out the horror of the First World War, the better to underscore its futility. He still manages to bring to the fore the deep love that the Duke of Oxford feels for his son and the close ties he has with two loyal employees (Gemma Arterton and Djimon Hounsou), who support him. The table is set for a sequel.
Presented in theaters in English and dubbed in French
action/adventure
The King’s Man (vf: Kingsman: First Mission)
Matthew Vaughn
With Ralph Fiennes, Gemma Arterton, Rhys Ifans
2:11 a.m.