A ‘flashy’ but disappointing spy romp – from the director of Kingsman.
The latest action offering from director Matthew Vaughn – known for the stylish and action-packed Kingsman movies – presents a mixed bag of thrills and disappointments in equal measure.
Vaughn’s signature cartoonish style – while visually striking – unfortunately detracts from the movie’s realism and undercuts the stakes.
This flaw feels especially frustrating given the negative reception of the more over-the-top Kingsman sequel compared to its grounded yet enjoyable predecessor – suggesting that Vaughn may not have quite learned from past criticisms.
In the movie, Bryce Dallas Howard (Jurassic World Trilogy) portrays Elly Conway, a reclusive writer known for her popular espionage novels. Elly cherishes her quiet nights at home with her computer and her cat, Alfie.
However, her tranquil routine is disrupted when the intricate plots of her books – focused on the adventures of secret agent Argylle as he works to dismantle a global spy network –unexpectedly parallels the secretive manoeuvres of an actual spy group. Consequently, peaceful evenings at home are definitely no longer a reality for Elly.
But one of the most frustrating aspects of Argylle is the feeling of being misled by the marketing. While Henry Cavill (Man of Steel) is prominently featured in the trailers and promotional materials, his actual screen time amounts to around a mere five minutes.
Instead, the true stars of the show are Howard and Sam Rockwell (Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri), who both deliver strong performances.
However, for audiences expecting Cavill to take centre stage, this unexpected bait-and-switch may lead to disappointment.
Additionally, the film’s stunts are undeniably impressive, but they are often overshadowed by excessive and distracting CGI, diminishing their impact.
Argylle embraces a ridiculous and silly tone, which will likely be enjoyable for those seeking a light-hearted spy romp.
However, for viewers anticipating a more serious and grounded action movie – this glossy big-budget Apple-financed flick may fall short of expectations.
Because it’s basically all over the place – with way more twists and turns than were actually necessary.
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ESP Rating: 2.5/5
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Mike Clarke
Showcase Cinema De Lux Peterborough, Out Now
Cast: Bryce Dallas Howard, Sam Rockwell, Henry Cavill, Bryan Cranston, Catherine O’Hara, Sofia Boutella, Dua Lipa, Samuel L Jackson, Ariana Debose, John Cena & Richard E Grant
Running Time:Â 2 Hrs 19 Mins
Director:Â Matthew Vaughn
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