Kingsman: The Secret Service (2015)

Directed by Matthew Vaughn

"A spy organization recruits an unrefined, but promising street kid into the agency's ultra-competitive training program, just as a global threat emerges from a twisted tech genius." - IMDB 

 So Kingsman. The spy movie for people who hate spy movies! I loved it! And for a film that's over two hours long it really doesn't feel like it! It's exciting, captivating and you're left wanting to be invited to join the Kingsman (despite all of the danger!)

Let's talk about the casting. Colin Firth as one of the main characters. If that doesn't get me to go and watch a film I don't know what will! But in all seriousness, it was role which Firth could play wonderfully - Harry Hart/Galahad was a serious character (as serious as the Kingsman are) but with a quirky, jokey side to him. Whether it was written like that or whether Firth just played it like that I don't know, but it worked!

But we can't just talk about the former Mr Darcy when there are so many other wonderful actors in the film. Who doesn't love the lovable Michael Caine and I loved Samuel L. Jackson's Valentine weird, evil character. Valentine seemed like an innocent man who was creating something great for the world. You wouldn't think that he was evil with his lisp and welcoming attitude so it was great to see this different type of villain.

The Kingsman are a group of spies who are recruited after going through intense training at a boarding school like facility and I thought that this was done really well. The challenges they had to face were thrilling and interesting to watch. You obviously knew that Eggsy (Taron Eggerton) who was one of the main characters, was going to get in, but it was good to see how the underdog would survive amongst the boarding school swots. It was almost like The Hunger Games - The tributes from some of the districts having trained for the arena and we know they will come out top in the end but how when the other are more superior.

To be honest, the whole film was quite funny. It was portrayed in a serious way but then had ridiculous and funny elements to it: For example, Harry has a fight with the 'rebels' in the bar and then casually sits down and finishes his Guinness. I think it's these elements that made the film so enjoyable - a serious subject taken in a lighter way as you don't usually get to see this type of thing. Films like the James Bond series aren't as comedic and it's nice to see a serious 'spy' movie still be lighthearted.

Like I said, Kingman is definitely a movie for people who don't really like spy movies.And even if you do I'm sure you will still love it!

The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 1 (2014) Review

 

Director - Francis Lawrence

When Katniss destroys the games, she goes to District 13 after District 12 is destroyed. She meets President Coin who convinces her to be the symbol of rebellion, while trying to save Peeta from the Capitol. - IMDB

As you may or may not know I am a massive Hunger Games fan and having read the books I'm always excited for the films. Although I couldn't remember exactly what happened in Mockingjay

as I read all of the books before The Hunger Games was released, I thought that they had changed the plot in the film, but aarently they hadn't!

Anyway I enjoyed the film, as I always do, and I couldn't wait to see it, as I always do. I did feel like it was a bit slow though and there wasn't really much of a climax, but I guess that's what you get when you split a story in half, and to be honest I found that the books could be a bit slow in the beginning anyway.

I've had a lot of people say that not a lot happened though, which I agree with but Mockingjay Part 1 is just a build up Part 2, just hold on to your hats!

Jennifer Lawrence was fab, as usual, and what a beautiful singer! If you haven't heard it check out The Hanging Tree!

I thought that Peeta's 'destruction' was done really well; without spoiling anything, he gets captured by The Capitol where they brainwash him and he goes a bit md. They added make up to his face which made him look ill and miserable. It was a nice effect!

So I'll make a confession... I went and saw this a few days after it came out back in November and this post has been sat unfinished in my drafts for a while now and I can't 100% remember what I thought #SoUnprofessional.

Hope you enjoyed reading anyway!