REVIEW: THE KING'S MAN

4/5

All The King's Men.

131 Mins: Starring: Ralph Fiennes, Gemma Arterton, Rhys Ifans, Matthew Goode, Tom Hollander (x3), Harris Dickinson, Daniel Brühl, Djimon Hounsou & Charles Dance. Director: Matthew Vaughn. 

Statement. I wasn't totally enthused by a 'Kingsman' prequel. Not set in the fuddy duddy times of ye olde England. Not after the anti-Bond meets Marvel alternative, 'Kingsman-The Secret Service' had really set something off like cigarette lighter grenades. That was sick! After the super sequel, 'Kingsman-The Golden Circle' went Stateside, I wanted a Statesmen sequel (I still do). Especially after made star Taron Egerton ('Eddie the Eagel') and a cameoing Sir Elton John (stay at home with 'The Lockdown Sessions') were duetting and rolling the new dice for another Marv movie based on the 'Rocketman's' life that was set to be another 'Bohemian Rhapsody', following the yellow brick road like a man made of tin, straw, a cowardly lion and the red shoes of Dorothy. Still, there's no place like good ole Blighty. And a long way from Kansas (Kentucky to be exact, colonel), with a stetson rocking Jeff Bridges, the go, go gadget tricks up Halle Berry's sleeve and Channing Tatum spinning a blunderbuss 'round like Schwarzenegger on the back of a chopper, we still really need to get to this movie. But you can't tell where you going if you don't know where you've been and 'The King's Man' has come a long way. And it's been a long time coming to boot. It would be redundant and a little like showing off if I kept mentioning that this Brit now lives in Japan. But I came here before corona in late 2019 and there was already posters advertising this movie playing in January, and now it's here a few weeks before...TWO YEARS LATER! That's how long it has been with the virus holding up more things then you when you're looking for your cinema ticket, arms full of popcorn and other concessions. But for all the blockbusters pushed back (most starring actors from this movie), 'No Time To Die', 'A Quiet Place II', 'Venom: Let There Be Carnage' (amongst many more) this one might not only be one of the pleasant surprise best, but also the greatest, darkest and deepest, most moving 'Kingsman' yet. As affecting as its undeniable energy. Emotional and hand to the heart felt. Take a bow. All hail. 

God save the Queen. Or the M that replaced Judi Dench. As this 'Kingsman' franchise is about to do for Ralph Fiennes what it did for Colin Firth's post 'Pride and Prejudice' tightly wound like a corset career. 'The English Patient' legend even has his version of 'The King's Speech' icons "there is nothing noble in being superior to your fellow man; true nobility is being superior to your former self" speech. Creeds we should all live by. Gentlemen or scholar. Speaking on reputation and character. "Our enemies think of us as gentlemen. But, Reputation is what people think of you. Character is what you are." Says his Duke Of Oxford. Forget Oxford not brogues, these are Oxford's not rogues as the 'Kingsman' suit up again in this tailor made origin story that sets up a 'Kick Ass' Matthew Vaughn's cinematic universe of super spies like the Mark Millar comics did for the 'First Class' X-Men director. With more cameoing surprises and left turns that blindside you, coming out of nowhere, boy. A fine Fiennes of 'Bond' M, 'Harry Potter' Voldermort and Wes Anderson's 'The Grand Budapest Hotel' fame gives us the performance of his life in a career of underrated, understated, unanimously undeniable ones. 'The Dig' star digging in and giving us all he's got. Whether he's called to action, or overcome with emotion. And if that wasn't enough, he has another Bond star in Gemma Arterton ('Quantum Of Solace') by his side. Who is no Moneypenny, but more like a Black Widow spy who is always cleaning up after you boys that are "so messy". Just like 'Gladiator' Djimon Hounsou is more than the Butler, but a brilliant right hand man who has more of a roundhouse than your average sidekick. Coming off 'A Quiet Place Part II' Hounsou makes noise in a brilliant post-dinner fight, still in his tux. All clanging metal like silver service trays as these swashbuckling set pieces go gold, making music. Going up against Rhys Ifans' formidable foe Rasputin with Rapunzel sink drain hair, that doesn't need to be let down, but instead have a comb seen through it. As the Lizard of Spider-Man's 'No Way Home' plays the Russian mystic Holy Man with a snakey stance Voldermort would be proud of as Ralph wrecks him with ballerina banter. All before breaking out the bakewell for you tarts. But if I told you a four star movie would include Rhys Ifans and his crummy beard licking Ralph Fiennes thigh you would have thought I had gone as crazy as the soft core segue into the truly bizarre. 

Crown jewels even need a bit of spit and polish however and this one does thanks to Vaughn's vision or the army artillery, military minds of stars of 'The Crown' Matthew Goode and Charles Dance. As this legacy making and legendary actors are already decorated, but show here why they've earnt their medals. Add a cubed Tom Hollander playing three roles whilst everyone is trying to ask Tom Holland how many Spider-Men there are and you really have a versatile, all-star, class cast. How about three Kings? Or something similair for this deal. Even the 'Rush' of Zemo Marvel and 'Inglorious Basterds' star Daniel Brühl is here to promise more for this prequels own villainous franchise spinning off. Whilst there are a few more big names we simply would love to share, but refuse to spoil as here in Japan we are dodging Spidey spoilers like Keanu back in 'The Matrix' does bullets, until after we take our decorations down on the 7th of January. But for all the King's at hand here, this third installment playing its cards close to its chest really play an ace in the hole for someone set up as the future of this franchise. 'Postcards From London' actor Harris Dickinson (with a name and countenance as British as crumpets and tea) starred as John Paul Getty III in FX's 'Trust'. But the 'Maleficent' sequel star is truly magnificent here. He was made for this movie and the future of the Kingsman seal. And when he goes to war in a movie that really gets into the trenches of warfare and what it's really worth when so many young men come home as folded flags really shows the emotional core of this movie that will mortar shell shock you to yours. Your tears burning like mustard gas. At times you'll think you're watching '1927' the way this Nicholas Hoult in 'Tolkien' like true telling of the war gets so close to the date here in this shifting narrative that still shoots straight with a true aim to the timeline and story thread. It's similar to the epic, encompassing, moving moments of 'Wonder Woman' taking a wartime stance, but with much more hallowed and harrowing realism stuck in the mud. It's what turns this very high achieving movie into one that clears the bar, when everyone thought it was going to be a Fosbury flop. Now how's that for a personal best? Medalling, this one is worthy of a knighthood. Making the round table of these Kings complete. New statement, the Statesmen can wait. After these three Kings conclude this Christmas, I'm singing their praises like "Orient are". TIM DAVID HARVEY. 

Further Filming: 'Kingsman-The Secret Service', 'Kingsman-The Golden Circle', 'No Time To Die'.