The Super Powered Fancast

The King’s Man

20^th Century Studios

Written by Matthew Vaughn, Karl Gajdusek and Mark Millar

Directed by Matthew Vaughn

Starring Ralph Fiennes, Gemma Arterton, Rhys Ifans, Harris Dickinson, Djimon Hounsou, Matthew Goode, Charles Dance, Alexandra Maria Lara, Valerie Pachner, Daniel Bruhl, Tom Hollander and Todd Boyce

Rated R

Set during WWI, The King’s Man tells the exhilarating origin story of Kingsman, the world’s very first independent intelligence agency. As a collection of history’s worst tyrants and criminal masterminds gather to plot a war to wipe out millions across the globe, one man must race against time to stop them.

The third film in the Kingsman franchise takes the story back in time to the early part of the twentieth century as the global powers of Europe prepare for war. While the story teases big action in keeping with the Kingsman films before, the story is character focused and takes some interesting twists both in its plot and with its setting.

The plot is interesting both in its scope and how it handles its characters. The previous two Kingsman movies dealt with fictional world ending threats while this latest entry takes on the real events that lead to the first world war and how one shadowy figure manipulated entire nations behind the scenes. As cool as the espionage and conspiracy elements are, the story does a really good job of focusing on the four main characters of the film and how they play a part in events.

Ralph Fiennes plays the Duke of Oxford whose past as an agent of the king leads him to a new mission of becoming a pacifist and philanthropist. When he finds himself dealing with a personal tragedy, his life takes more cautionary turn. One that puts him at odds with his son Conrad (Dickinson) who sees the upcoming war as a way of serving his country like his father. Oxford and Conrad’s interpersonal drama make up much of the story and gives an interesting layer to the plot.

Oxford’s loyal servants and friends Polly (Arterton) and Shola (Hounsou) round out the rest of the group and allow for the dynamic of both family and found family to flourish in the film as each is given moments to showcase their relationship with each other. The rest of the cast is great as well with Rhys Ifans giving a truly creepy and scene-stealing performance as Rasputin as well as Tom Hollander giving a series of entertaining performances as multiple characters.

Story aside, the action in the film is big, broad and brutal. Something you expect from a Kingsman film. There are some great action sequences throughout and a few interesting and surprising moments to be had. The King’s Man isn’t trying to reinvent the wheel with its story and action. It’s confident in what it is and what it’s trying to convey from director Matthew Vaughn who helmed the previous two films.

The King’s Man succeeds in being an eye-popping, adrenaline pumping action epic that never takes itself too seriously but never strays into camp or parody. It’s a fun action flick that has some surprising moments of heart within it.

The King’s Man is currently available to purchase on Digital and will be available on 4K UHD, Blu-ray and DVD February 22.