Opened: January 29, 2015

Directed by: Matthew Vaughn

Starring: Taron Egerton, Colin Firth, Samuel L. Jackson, Mark Strong, Sophie Cookson, Sofia Boutella, Michael Caine, Jack Davenport, Mark Hamill, Edward Holcroft, Jack Cutmore-Scott, Geoff Bell, Samantha Womack, Hannah Alström, Bjørn Floberg, Lily Travers, Jonno Davies, Nicholas Banks, Nicholas Agnew, Rowan Polonski, Tom Prior, Corey Johnson, Ralph Ineson & Richard Brake

Kingsman: The Secret Service has a level of intelligence and sophistication that leans into clichés to make a brilliant spy film of its own.

Harry Hart (Colin Firth) recruits Eggsy (Taron Egerton) to be his recruit for an open Kingsman position as the company zeroes in on the suspicious billionaire Richmond Valentine (Samuel L. Jackson).

The film embraces and earns its R-rating. The action is gory but crafted in an entertaining way. With a scene in a church is shown in a mostly one-take format and a climax that is colorful as it is crazy, this film is a ride from start to finish.

Firth and newcomer Egerton both play the spy roles well, but it’s Jackson as the insane villain with a lisp that steals the show.

Final say: A welcome, fun entry to the spy catalogue. ★★★★★