Argylle Review
"The better the spy, the bigger the lie." - Ellie Conway
Welcome to my highest scoring film of the year so far. This movie is absolutely rock solid, despite some pretty tepid reviews in the so-called news media. Opening weekend was nothing special in terms of a box office bonanza, but then it IS February, and it’s still cold and miserable and maybe people like to stay at home rather than experience the type of thrills, action and comedy that this film expertly delivers with all the relish of a gourmet dish. But when I say comedy – I don’t mean the mugging to the audience, Austin Powers type comedy. It’s quite a bit cleverer and more sophisticated than that.
Essentially, it’s the latest film from director Matthew Vaughan who has previously gifted us Kick Ass and the Kingsman trilogy, so the fact that I enjoyed it should come as no surprise – but what IS a surprise is that it exceeded even MY lofty expectations. But frankly, my enjoyment was tinged with a little sadness in knowing that this is the closest we’re likely to see Henry Cavill in a James Bond role – a role I believe he was born to play. (He lost out to Daniel Craig for Casino Royale 18 years ago, because he was considered too young at 22. Is he too old now at 40? Personally, I don’t think so but time will tell when the casting gods make their decision.)
The film begins in true Bond fashion showing the final moments of a previous mission, with Argylle (Cavill) escaping a death trap and engaging in a hectic chase, ending only when his target is intercepted by Argylle’s backup muscle Wyatt (John Cena).
At this point, I’m already having a great time but the actual plot hasn’t even started. What we’ve seen so far are characters in a novel by author Ellie Conway (Bryce Dallas Howard) a timid introvert who has written several Argylle books and is reading from her latest to an audience. By now, I was thinking that this has to be some kind of Romancing the Stone/The Lost City type of film, where the shy writer is taken on an adventure. Well, yes and no. Much as I love those two films, this one is much more, in every way.
The root of the problem which confronts her is that the plots of her Argylle novels seem to mirror real events that the public knows nothing about, while she insists that she’s just making these plots up. She is drawn into an adventure, but there’s more to it, including twists, turns and general spy-type duplicity where nobody she knows seems to be who or what they appear to be, with both the good guys AND the bad guys after her in a tightly packed and satisfying 2 hours 20 minutes.
With a supporting cast that includes Samuel L. Jackson, Bryan Cranston and Dua Lipa, this movie surely has smash hit written all over it, but the doomsayers are out in force telling anybody who’ll listen that it’s a flop. What is often overlooked these days is the opening weekend isn’t always the be-all, end-all of a film’s success as there’s another bite at the apple when the film becomes available for streaming, and of course physical media (which those same doomsayers claim has already died – but increasing sales prove otherwise.) And of course, NEVER be so foolish as to ignore the power of word-of-mouth.
There’s a possibility that this might well spin off a series all its own, in all likelihood crossing over with the Kingsman series if a mid-credit sting is followed up, so remember to stay in your seat for a couple of extra minutes – it’s worth waiting for.
Finally, the rating. This one was set in stone as I was walking out of the screening.
Rob Rating = 9