The Mosley Review: Argylle
In the world of the spy action genre, very few have successfully planted their flag and changed up the formula while still having fun with it. Director Matthew Vaughn showed that he had a unique style and vision for genre with the Kingsman franchise. He showed that he will still have the plot twists, the larger than life villains and fun action sequences but a signature visual flare that is unmistakable. Well he's done that yet again, but this time its a problematic balance. I love when the idea of books coming to life is toyed with in reality and this film has so much fun with that concept. From the opening scene to the end of the second act, I was adoring how much fun I was having with the twist and turns, the action sequences and sometimes off beat charm of the comedy. Where it lost me is when the film breaks its own rules of realism and brings everything that was in the fantastical world into the real. I can absolutely pinpoint where the film falls apart and ceases to be a fun surreal spy action comedy and becomes a implosive parody of itself. I'm all about a storyteller's creative vision being realized, but sometimes being told no is a good thing.
Henry Cavill was perfectly charming and witty as the fictional live action version of the titular book character. He has that perfect level suave and I absolutely wish the entire film stayed in his world as this film once again proves he would be a great James Bond. Dua Lipa was good for the time she was on screen as the Bond girl equivalent LaGrange. John Cena was good as well as his Argylle's partner Wyatt. He was an excellent Q to his Bond. Bryce Dallas Howard was great as the author of the titular character's story, Elly Conway. The journey she goes through as the world she created and predicted starts attacking her in real life was fun and filled with great comedic timing. I loved the psychological toll it was taking on her as she would diss-associate by having Argylle as her coping mechanism. A deeper meaning comes into the play later for her and I liked that fun take. Sam Rockwell will always and forever be the most fun and enjoyable presence on screen and as Aidan, he excels at that again. He makes the character a great and nonchalant action hero that I was rooting for the entire way and loved his emotional connection to a certain character. The chemistry between him and Elly was fun and made for a good rom com. Samuel L. Jackson was just hanging out and having fun as the hacker Alfred Solomon. Catherine O'Hara is always a joy on screen and as Elly's mom, Ruth, she was a blast. Bryan Cranston was awesome as the The Division director Ritter and he gets to have some truly sinister moments in the film that stand out above the rest.
The score by Lorne Balfe was excellent and nails the mix of disco and early 70's style of Bond. The visual effects range from outstanding to purposefully campy and that is where the film lost me. I get for certain characters, the visual flare of the hallway shootout is sort of a romantic and colorful celebration in their heads and I liked that, but that’s where the hijinks should've stopped. What follows after the hallway shootout is a sequence that tells you that if "X" catches on fire from a single bullet, everyone is dead. The film ignores this rule and goes absolutely bananas by having a certain character do something without a doubt kills everyone including themselves with an instant spark from 2 weapons they use. I'm trying to be spoiler free as I can, but it was so stupid and it ruins the film. Expecting your audience to believe we're grounded again after betraying them 10 seconds ago, was insulting. The film would've saved face and 10 minutes if that sequences was cut completely and stayed within the tone of the film. Director Matthew Vaughn has his signature style all over this film and he truly gets the fun of the spy action genre, but like I said before, someone should've told to stop with his usual antics and focus on the main plot. You had everything right, but he just went too far. Let me know what you thought of the film or my review in the comments below. Thanks for reading!
