A One Mann’s Movies Film Review of “Argylle” (2024).
Matthew “Kingsmen” Vaughn’s movies have always been a riot of visual innovation and fun. But he has occasionally stepped over the line into plain bad taste (‘Vaginacam’ anyone from “Kingsman: The Golden Circle“?) Fortunately, here, he delivers all of the fun and none of the ‘ick’. It’s a blast of a Saturday Night At the Movies sort of film.
Bob the Movie Man Rating:
Plot Summary:
Elly Conway (Bryce Dallas Howard) is a mousy author who is getting a strong following for her series of spy novels featuring the adventures of agent Argylle (Henry Cavill). But her books are straying too much towards reality and suddenly she needs the protection of a real agent, Aiden Wilde (Sam Rockwell), to keep her from harms way.
Certification:
UK: 12; US: PG-13. (From the BBFC web site – “Moderate violence, infrequent strong language”).
Talent:
Starring: Bryce Dallas Howard, Henry Cavill, Sam Rockwell, Samuel L. Jackson, Bryan Cranston, Katherine O’Hara, Dua Lipa, Ariana DeBose, John Cena and (apparently, though I can’t remember him) Richard E. Grant.
Directed by: Matthew Vaughn.
Written by: Jason Fuchs.
Twitter Handle: #ArgylleMovie.
Running Time: 2h 19m.
“Argylle” Film Review:
Positives:
- There is some genuinely fun stuff in this film and myself and the illustrious Mrs Movie Man had a blast watching it. The cat in the backpack; Henry Cavill’s knowing Bond-style act; the ‘whirlygig’ dance; Sam Rockwell’s grungy spy; and most hilariously a final balletic shoot-out scene that is about the funniest thing I’ve seen on the screen since Flerken-kittens started consuming Avengers staff to Elaine Paige’s song in “The Marvels“!
- The story is really quite clever. It starts off with you thinking “oh, this is just ridiculous”. And it is! But then there is a twist and things start to make (just a little) more sense. I mean, it really doesn’t bear close scrutiny … but it makes for a fun ride.
- Bryce Dallas Howard is a really engaging lead here and the chemistry with the ever-awesome Sam Rockwell is really good. The impressive supporting cast also seem to be having fun, so we have fun too!
Negatives:
- Sorry, but the fun outstayed its welcome for me by about 20 minutes. There is a GREAT comedy- action film in here. But Vaughn rather over-eggs the pudding. A 2 hour version of this would be teriffic!
Monkeys?
Yes, there is a mid-credit “monkey“. A little teaser, that seems (“The Kings Man” style) takes us back to an origin story for Argylle himself.
Summary Thoughts on “Argylle”
A park-your-brain-at-the-door movie that delivers the fun-factor. Clearly the first outing in a new franchise. (And thanks, I’ll definitely take more of this.) A real crowd pleaser that is worth the group experience of seeing it in a packed screening on a Saturday night. (Failing that, this is an Apple production, so is likely to be streaming on that channel before long).
Recommended for a fun watch.
Trailer for “Argylle”:
The trailer is here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7mgu9mNZ8Hk .
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